Temporary Worker Visas

To meet the requirements of this visa, you should be able to provide evidence of having the minimum financial requirements. For this category, you should have at least £1,270 in your bank account. This should be present in your account for at least 28 consecutive days in the month prior to your application.

You must also have been issued a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

The documents you need in order to apply include the following:

• CoS unique reference number
• Valid passport or travel document with at least one blank page (front and back)
• Evidence of meeting financial requirements
• Proof of your relationship with any relevant dependents
• A clear tuberculosis test (if relevant)
• Certified translations of any documents not in English or French

For most categories, unless otherwise stated, the visa grants the applicant permission to work in the UK for up to 12 months or the time period outlined in the Certificate of Sponsorship, whichever time is shorter.

Fees

The fee for all Temporary Worker Visas is £259 per applicant as of February 2023, and this is the same whether applying inside or outside the UK. You will also need to pay the immigration healthcare surcharge and pay to submit your biometric information as part of your application.

Waiting times

In most cases, you will receive a decision within three weeks of your application when applying outside the UK. You may be able to pay for an expedited decision at an additional cost.

How to apply

To apply for any of these visas, go to the online Gov.uk application page and begin your application by choosing the appropriate option.

You may apply for the Charity Worker Visa if you wish to come to the UK to undertake unpaid, voluntary work for a charity and if you meet other eligibility requirements. This visa has now replaced the former Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – Charity Worker) visa.

You must hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from an approved sponsor to submit your application. This sponsor must hold a valid sponsor licence.

The maximum length of this visa is 12 months. If you wish, you may apply to bring your dependent family members with you. You may not undertake paid employment if coming to the UK on this visa, but you may be able to complete some forms of study, or take on a role listed on the occupation shortage list.

A person who fulfils the criteria of the Creative or Sporting Visa requirements may come to the UK for a limited time to live and work.

The visa has been designed for those who have been offered work in the UK as either a sportsperson or a creative worker. This visa category has replaced the older Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting) Visa.

This visa category is for people who fulfil the criteria of being a suitably talented sportsperson, entertainer, creative artist, coach, instructor, actor, musician, etc. The applicant must show how they intend to contribute to the appropriate sporting or creative industry.

The Government Authorised Exchange category has been designed for individuals who wish to come to the UK on an approved overseas government language programme or to undertake some forms of research or fellowship programmes.

There are a number of programmes that fall under this category, and it is necessary for your specific role to be outlined under the immigration rules in order to be eligible.

The maximum length of this visa is two years (24 months). There is an option for a 12- or 24-month stay, depending on the programme that you choose. It is possible to bring dependent family members with you.

Your sponsor must be either an organisation running an approved exchange scheme, an institute of higher education, or a government department/ agency.

This visa is for workers who wish to come to the UK and undertake some of the following paid employment types:

• Working for a foreign government
• Working as a private staff member of a diplomatic household
• Providing contractual services as a supplier or independent professional

This visa category has replaced the previous Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – International Agreement) Visa.

If you are employed under the first two categories listed above, if your visa is granted, you may be eligible to stay for up to two years or the time outlined on your Certificate of Sponsorship, depending on which time is shorter.

If you are coming to the UK to provide a service under contract, you are permitted to stay for six months in any 12-month period. This is the case if your work is covered un the General Agreement on Trade in Services or other services trade agreements.

You may be able to stay for a longer period if your work falls under one of the following agreements: the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement or the temporary agreement between Switzerland and the UK on services mobility.

The T5 Religious Worker Visa is separate to the T2 Minister of Religion Visa and it has been designed for individuals who wish to undertake religious work in a non-pastoral role or religious order.

This visa has replaced the former Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – Religious Worker) Visa. You must be issued with a Certificate of Sponsorship from a valid sponsor (and the organisation must hold a sponsor licence).

If your application is approved, you will be permitted to stay for up to 24 months. You can enter the UK before the start date of your role (only up to 14 days in advance).

You may be eligible to undertake some courses of study, hold a second job related to your profession (usually up to a maximum of 20 hours per week), or work in a position on the shortage occupation list.

This visa category is for temporary, seasonal workers who wish to come to the UK to complete farm work or other agricultural type roles. This new visa has replaced the older Tier 5 Seasonal Worker Visa.

This category is also aimed at people working within the ‘edible horticulture sector,’ which refers to farms that grow protected vegetables, field vegetables, soft fruit, top fruit, vines and bines, and mushrooms.

The seasonal nature of the employment means that applicants may only come to the UK for a maximum of six months in any 12-month period.

You are not permitted to engage in a permanent job, access public funds, or bring dependent family members with you. You may be able to take some approved courses of study.