The UK Charity Worker Visa allows people to volunteer in the UK for up to a year.
This visa does not grant permanent residency, but it does allow family members, such as partners and children under 18, to join as dependents.
According to Last Stop Booking, this visa allows individuals to stay in the UK for up to 12 months, with an additional 14 days if necessary, based on their Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
Visa holders can also go to the UK 14 days before their job begins.
Rights and Limits for Visa Holders
People on a Charity Worker Visa can perform the charity activity specified in their CoS and even work a second job in the same location.
However, they do not receive compensation for their charitable activities beyond basic necessities. They are also unable to use public funds or get permanent employment.
How to Qualify
To get this visa, applicants must:
- Do voluntary work that helps their sponsor’s charity goals.
- Only get money to cover reasonable costs from their work.
- Not take a job meant to be permanent.
Applicants must be 18 or older, have a job that fulfills certain criteria, have a valid CoS, intend to do the sponsored employment, meet financial requirements, and have not had a comparable visa in the previous 12 months unless they were outside the UK.
They may also need to establish that they are tuberculosis-free.
What You Need for the Application
A valid CoS from a top-tier UK sponsor is required. It should validate the job’s suitability for volunteer work and be issued within three months of applying.
Applicants must also demonstrate that they have sufficient funds, unless they have been in the UK for more than a year.
This means they must have saved at least £1,270 in the last 28 days before applying, or their sponsor must demonstrate their financial support.
Benefits of the Visa
The Charity Worker Visa lets people:
- Work with a UK charity and make a positive difference.
- Gain valuable skills and international experience.
- Network with charity professionals in the UK.
- Attract skilled volunteers from around the world.
- Enjoy free time to explore the UK and other parts of Europe.
How to Apply
You must apply online from outside the UK and have not held this type of visa or a Religious Worker visa within the last 12 months, unless you were abroad.
A tuberculosis certificate may be required. The visa costs £244, plus an extra charge for healthcare. Certain countries obtain fee reductions.
This visa enables individuals to contribute to important causes while simultaneously getting job experience in the UK.
