The Charity Worker visa is part of the UK’s Temporary Work visa routes. It enables overseas nationals to undertake voluntary work in the UK for a recognised charitable organisation that holds a valid sponsor licence. This route is specifically for unpaid roles where the work directly supports the charitable objectives of the sponsoring organisation. Paid work is not permitted under this visa, and only reasonable expenses such as accommodation and subsistence may be covered.
What this article is about
This article provides a comprehensive guide to the Charity Worker visa under UK immigration law. It is aimed at both prospective applicants and UK charitable organisations considering sponsorship. You will learn who is eligible for the visa, the steps involved in applying, the documentation required, visa conditions and restrictions, and the compliance duties that apply to both the sponsoring organisation and the visa holder. We will also look at extension rules, dependants’ eligibility, and what happens after the visa expires, including potential routes to remain in the UK.
The Charity Worker visa is a niche immigration route, but one that plays an important role in supporting the UK’s voluntary sector. For charities, it can provide access to international volunteers with valuable skills and experience. For applicants, it offers a structured and lawful way to contribute to a UK-based cause while experiencing life in the UK. However, the route has strict eligibility criteria and compliance rules, and both sponsors and applicants need to understand and adhere to these to avoid refusal or enforcement action.
Section A: Understanding the Charity Worker Visa
The Charity Worker visa is designed for individuals coming to the UK to carry out unpaid voluntary work for a registered charitable organisation. The work must support the charity’s objectives, and the visa does not allow paid employment. It forms part of the UK’s Temporary Work visa routes, governed by the Immigration Rules and the Home Office’s sponsorship framework.
This visa is distinct from other temporary routes such as the Religious Worker visa or the Creative Worker visa. While those routes may involve payment and a broader range of permitted activities, the Charity Worker visa is strictly limited to unpaid roles within the charitable sector.
1. Definition and Purpose
The Home Office defines a charity worker as someone undertaking voluntary work for a UK charity without receiving payment, except for reasonable expenses like travel, meals, and accommodation. The visa allows holders to reside in the UK for the duration of their sponsored voluntary work, up to a maximum of 12 months.
The sponsoring organisation must be a registered charity in the UK with charitable status recognised by the appropriate UK regulator — such as the Charity Commission for England and Wales, the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), or the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.
The route aims to enable UK charities to benefit from the skills, experience, and labour of overseas volunteers while maintaining immigration controls to prevent abuse. It is not intended as a pathway to paid work or settlement in the UK, though in some cases visa holders may later switch to other eligible routes if requirements are met.
2. Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a Charity Worker visa, both the applicant and the sponsoring organisation must meet specific criteria:
- Applicant requirements:
– Must be aged 18 or over on the date of application.
– Must have a confirmed role that meets the definition of voluntary work.
– Must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by a licensed sponsor.
– Must have at least £1,270 in personal savings to support themselves (held for 28 consecutive days within the 31 days before application), unless the sponsor certifies maintenance on the CoS.
– Must intend to leave the UK at the end of their voluntary role.
– Must take a tuberculosis test if applying from a listed country and the stay is longer than six months.
- Role requirements:
– Must involve only voluntary work with no salary or wage.
– Any expenses reimbursed must be reasonable and directly related to the role.
– The role must be genuine, necessary to the charity’s operations, and not a disguised paid vacancy.
- Sponsor requirements:
– Must hold a Temporary Work – Charity Worker sponsor licence.
– Must be a UK-registered charity with charitable status recognised by the relevant regulator.
3. Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
A Certificate of Sponsorship is a unique reference number issued by the sponsoring charity through the Home Office’s Sponsor Management System. It is not a physical certificate but an electronic record containing key details about the role and the visa applicant.
The CoS must include:
- A description of the voluntary role.
- Confirmation that the role is unpaid, directly supports the charity’s objectives, and does not fill a genuine vacancy for paid employment.
- The start and end dates of the role.
- Any maintenance certification, if the sponsor will cover the applicant’s living costs.
Applicants must use their CoS to apply for the visa within three months of it being issued, and the application must not be more than three months before the start date of the role.
Section Summary
The Charity Worker visa is a targeted immigration route for individuals undertaking unpaid voluntary work in the UK charitable sector. Eligibility depends on the applicant’s age, role type, and financial circumstances, as well as the sponsor’s licensing status. A valid Certificate of Sponsorship is central to the application, detailing the role and confirming compliance with Home Office requirements.
Section B: Application Process and Documentation
The Charity Worker visa application process is designed to ensure that only genuine volunteers with a legitimate sponsoring organisation are granted entry to the UK. The process is handled online and can be completed from outside the UK or, in limited cases, from within the UK if extending an existing Charity Worker visa. Switching from most other visa routes into this category is not permitted. Careful preparation of documents and adherence to the application rules will help avoid delays or refusals.
1. Applying from Outside the UK
Most Charity Worker visa applications are made from outside the UK. The applicant must:
- Complete the relevant Home Office online application form for the Temporary Work – Charity Worker route.
- Provide the Certificate of Sponsorship reference number.
- Pay the application fee (currently £298 in 2025) and Immigration Health Surcharge (if applicable).
- Book and attend a biometrics appointment at a visa application centre.
Applicants can apply up to three months before the start date of the role listed on the Certificate of Sponsorship. The start date is important, as the Home Office will not grant entry earlier than 14 days before this date.
2. Required Documents
The specific documents required may vary depending on the applicant’s circumstances, but generally include:
- A valid passport or travel document showing identity and nationality.
- The Certificate of Sponsorship reference number issued by the UK charity sponsor.
- Proof of personal savings of at least £1,270 (unless the sponsor has certified maintenance on the CoS), held for 28 consecutive days within the 31 days before the application date.
- Tuberculosis test certificate (if from a listed country and coming for more than six months).
- Certified translations of any documents not in English or Welsh.
Applicants should also be prepared to provide additional documents if requested by the Home Office, such as proof of relationship for dependants, or evidence confirming their voluntary role’s nature and relevance to the charity’s objectives.
3. Application Fees and Processing Times
The Home Office application fee for the Charity Worker visa is £298, whether applying from inside or outside the UK. The Immigration Health Surcharge is payable for stays over six months.
- Outside the UK: The typical decision timeframe is around three weeks from the date biometrics are provided.
- Inside the UK (extension only): Decisions generally take around eight weeks.
It is advisable to allow extra time in case the Home Office requests further information, which can delay the process.
Section Summary
Applying for the Charity Worker visa involves submitting an online application, providing a valid Certificate of Sponsorship, and supplying supporting evidence. Applicants must meet the financial maintenance rules unless exempt, and may need to undergo a TB test if applicable. Fees and processing times should be factored into planning, especially for roles with fixed start dates.
Section D: Compliance for Sponsors and Workers
Compliance is a central feature of the Charity Worker visa route. Both the sponsoring organisation and the visa holder must meet ongoing obligations throughout the visa’s validity. Failure to comply can lead to enforcement action by the Home Office, including visa curtailment, fines, and sponsor licence suspension or revocation.
1. Sponsor Duties
Sponsors must hold a valid Temporary Work – Charity Worker sponsor licence and meet the duties set out in the Home Office’s sponsor guidance. These duties include:
- Record-keeping: Maintaining copies of the worker’s passport, visa, and contact details, along with evidence of the role and start date.
- Reporting: Informing UKVI within 10 working days of significant changes, such as if the worker does not start their role, leaves early, or breaches visa conditions.
- Compliance monitoring: Co-operating with Home Office compliance visits and inspections.
The Immigration Skills Charge does not apply to Charity Worker visas.
If the sponsor fails to meet these duties, their licence can be downgraded, suspended, or revoked, affecting their ability to sponsor any workers.
2. Worker Responsibilities
Charity Worker visa holders must:
- Carry out only the voluntary work described in their Certificate of Sponsorship.
- Not take any paid employment or engage in work outside the approved role unless permitted under limited secondary voluntary work rules.
- Keep their sponsor informed of any change in contact details or circumstances that may affect their immigration status.
- Leave the UK at the end of their visa unless switching to another eligible visa category.
Breaching visa conditions can result in visa curtailment and a ban on re-entry for a specified period.
3. Switching and Moving to Other Routes
Switching from the Charity Worker visa to another immigration route from within the UK is generally not permitted. Applicants wishing to take up paid work will usually need to leave the UK and apply for a relevant visa, such as the Skilled Worker visa, from overseas.
Planning ahead is important for those considering future employment in the UK, as the Charity Worker visa does not lead to settlement and time spent on this visa will not count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Section Summary
The Charity Worker visa route requires strict compliance from both sponsors and workers. Sponsors must maintain records, report changes promptly, and co-operate with Home Office oversight, while workers must adhere to the unpaid work rules and keep their details up to date. Switching to other visa routes is limited, so both parties should plan accordingly to avoid disruption.
FAQs
Can I get paid on a Charity Worker visa?
No. The Charity Worker visa only permits unpaid voluntary work for your sponsoring charity. You can receive reimbursement for reasonable expenses directly related to your role, such as travel or accommodation, but you cannot receive a salary or any other form of payment.
How soon can I apply before my start date?
You can apply for a Charity Worker visa up to three months before the start date shown on your Certificate of Sponsorship. The Home Office will normally allow entry no earlier than 14 days before this start date.
Can I switch to a Skilled Worker visa from a Charity Worker visa?
In most cases, you cannot switch directly to a Skilled Worker visa from within the UK while on a Charity Worker visa. You will generally need to leave the UK and apply from overseas, meeting all Skilled Worker requirements, including sponsorship by a licensed employer and minimum salary thresholds.
Do I need a TB test for the Charity Worker visa?
You will need to take a tuberculosis test if you are applying from a country listed by the Home Office as requiring TB screening and you will be coming to the UK for more than six months.
Can my family join me on this visa?
Yes, eligible dependants — your partner and children under 18 — can apply to join you or stay with you in the UK. They must meet relationship and maintenance requirements, and will be subject to their own application process and fees.
Conclusion
The Charity Worker visa offers a lawful and structured route for overseas nationals to volunteer for UK-based charitable organisations. It is specifically tailored for unpaid roles that directly contribute to the charity’s objectives, and it comes with clear restrictions to ensure the route is used as intended.
For applicants, the key to a successful application lies in securing sponsorship from a licensed charity, meeting the eligibility criteria, and submitting a complete and accurate application with all supporting evidence. For sponsors, compliance with the Home Office’s sponsor duties is critical to maintaining the ability to recruit overseas volunteers.
While the visa does not lead to settlement and paid work is prohibited, it provides a valuable opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the UK’s voluntary sector, gain international experience, and support causes that align with your skills and interests. Both applicants and sponsors should understand the visa’s limitations, prepare for the compliance requirements, and plan ahead for what happens when the visa expires.
Glossary
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | An electronic record issued by a licensed sponsor confirming details of the role and the visa applicant. |
| Temporary Work – Charity Worker Sponsor Licence | Authorisation granted by the Home Office to a UK charity allowing it to sponsor overseas nationals for unpaid voluntary roles. |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | A fee paid as part of the visa application, granting access to the UK’s National Health Service during the stay. |
| Immigration Skills Charge | A levy payable by some sponsors for sponsored workers. This does not apply to Charity Worker visas. |
| Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) | A certificate required for study in certain sensitive subjects at postgraduate level in the UK. |
| Tuberculosis (TB) Test | A medical test required for visa applicants from certain countries, if staying in the UK for more than six months. |
Useful Links
| GOV.UK – Charity Worker visa guidance | https://www.gov.uk/charity-worker-visa |
| GOV.UK – Register of licensed sponsors: Workers | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/register-of-licensed-sponsors-workers |
| GOV.UK – Immigration Rules: Appendix Temporary Work – Charity Worker | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-temporary-work-charity-worker |
| DavidsonMorris – UK Charity Worker Visa | https://www.davidsonmorris.com/charity-visa-uk/ |
