The UK Temporary Worker Visa is a work visa that permits you to work in the UK temporarily. The time you can stay in the UK for a Temporary Worker Visa varies depending on the category you apply for and ranges from 6 months to 2 years.
You can apply for this visa if you want to come to the UK for temporary work, including
- Seasonal Worker visa (Temporary Work)
- Government Authorised Exchange visa (Temporary Work)
- Creative Worker visa (Temporary Work)
- Religious Worker visa (Temporary Work)
- Charity Worker visa (Temporary Work)
- International Agreement visa (Temporary Work)
Seasonal Worker Visa (Temporary Work)
You can apply for a Seasonal Worker visa to come to the UK and work in:
- horticulture for up to 6 months – for example, picking fruit and vegetables or flowers
- poultry from 2 October to 31 December, in the same year
You need to apply for poultry Seasonal Worker visas by 15 November each year.
You can apply for horticulture Seasonal Worker visas at any time of year.
You’ll need to:
- have a sponsor
- meet the other eligibility requirements
This visa has replaced the Temporary Worker – Seasonal Worker visa (T5).
How long you can stay
You can stay in the UK:
up to 6 months for horticulture work
from 2 October to 31 December each year for poultry work
You can enter the UK as soon as your visa is valid (up to 14 days before the start date of your job).
What you can and cannot do
You can:
- work in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship
- study (for some courses you’ll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate)
You cannot:
- take a permanent job
- work in a second job or a job that isn’t described in your certificate of sponsorship
- get public funds
- bring family members with you
How long it takes
You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.
You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.
Getting a decision
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
Government Authorised Exchange Visa (Temporary Work)
You can apply for a Temporary Work – Government Authorised Exchange visa if you:
- want to come to the UK for a short time for work experience or to do training, an Overseas Government Language Programme, research or a fellowship through an approved government authorised exchange scheme
- have a sponsor
- meet the other eligibility requirements
This visa has replaced the Temporary Worker – Government Authorised Exchange visa (T5).
Sponsorship
You need to have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed sponsor before you can apply to come to the UK to work.
A certificate of sponsorship is not a paper document. It’s a reference number your sponsor gives you which confirms your job and personal details.
Your work, training or research in the UK must relate to the work of your sponsor organisation.
Your sponsor can be any of the following:
an organisation running an approved exchange scheme
a higher education institution (if you are a sponsored researcher, visiting academic or examiner)
a government department or agency
How long it takes
You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.
You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.
Your partner and children
Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.
If your partner or child’s application is successful, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours. If a child’s parents have visas with different expiry dates, the child’s visa will end on the earlier date.
Extend your visa
You can apply to extend your Temporary Work – Government Authorised Exchange visa.
You should apply before your current visa expires.
How long you can stay
You can apply to stay in the UK for up to a maximum of:
- 12 months, if you’re doing work experience
- 24 months if you’re doing research, training or an Overseas Government Language Programme
You can also stay for the length of time on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.
Switch to this visa
You can apply to change (‘switch’) to a Temporary Work – Government Authorised Exchange visa.
You should apply before your current visa expires.
Your partner and children
Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically switch to this visa if you switch yours. If they do not switch their visa, it will be valid until its original end date. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
Getting a decision
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:
3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.
Creative Worker Visa (Temporary Work)
You must apply for a Temporary Work – Creative Worker visa if:
- you’ve been offered work in the UK as a creative worker
- you meet the other eligibility requirements
A creative worker is someone who works in the creative industries, for example an actor, dancer, musician or film crew member.
This visa has replaced the Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting visa (T5). If you’re a sportsperson, you can work in the UK with an International Sportsperson visa.
Sponsorship
You need to have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed sponsor before you can apply to come to the UK to work.
The work you do in the UK must relate to the work of your sponsor organisation.
How long it takes
You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.
You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.
How long you can stay
You can come to the UK for a maximum of up to 12 months or the time given in your certificate of sponsorship plus up to 28 days, whichever is shorter.
Your partner and children
Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.
If your partner or child’s application is successful, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours. If a child’s parents have visas with different expiry dates, the child’s visa will end on the earlier date.
Extend your visa
You can apply to extend your Temporary Work – Creative Worker visa.
You should apply before your current visa expires.
You cannot extend your stay if you’ve used the Creative Worker visa concession to enter the UK.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
Your partner and children
Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically extend if you extend yours. If they do not extend their visa, it will be valid until its original end date. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
How long you can stay
If you are changing sponsors, you can extend your visa for whichever is the shortest of:
- the time on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days
- the time needed to extend your stay to a maximum of 12 months
If you are staying with the same sponsor, you can extend your visa for whichever is the shortest of:
- 12 months
- the time on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days
- the time needed to extend your stay to a maximum of 24 months
Getting a decision
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:
- 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
- 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.
Religious Worker Visa (Temporary Work)
You can apply for a Temporary Work – Religious Worker visa if:
- you want to do religious work in a non-pastoral role or religious order
- you meet the other eligibility requirements
This visa has replaced the T5 (Temporary Worker) Religious Worker visa.
Sponsorship
You must have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed sponsor before you can apply to come to the UK to work.
The work you do in the UK must relate to your sponsor organisation’s work.
How long it takes
You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.
You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.
Your partner and children
Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.
If your partner or child’s application is successful, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours. If a child’s parents have visas with different expiry dates, the child’s visa will end on the earlier date.
Extend your visa
You can apply to extend your Temporary Work – Religious Worker visa.
You should apply before your current visa expires.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
Your partner and children
Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically extend if you extend yours. If they do not extend their visa, it will be valid until its original end date. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
How long you can stay
You can apply to take your stay in the UK up to a maximum of 24 months, or the time on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days – whichever is shorter.
Getting a decision
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:
- 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
- 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.
Charity Worker Visa (Temporary Work)
You can apply for a Temporary Work – Charity Worker visa if:
- you want to do unpaid voluntary work for a charity
- you meet the other eligibility requirements
This visa has replaced the Temporary Worker – Charity Worker visa (T5).
Sponsorship
You must have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed employer before you can apply to come to the UK to work.
The work you do in the UK must relate to the work of your sponsor organisation.
How long it takes
You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.
You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.
Your partner and children
Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.
If your partner or child’s application is successful, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours. If a child’s parents have visas with different expiry dates, the child’s visa will end on the earlier date.
How long you can stay
You can stay for up to 12 months or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.
You can enter the UK up to 14 days before the start date of your job.
Extend your visa
You can apply to extend your Temporary Work – Charity Worker visa.
You should apply before your current visa expires.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
How long you can stay
You can apply to take your stay in the UK up to a maximum of 12 months, or the time on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.
Your partner and children
Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically extend if you extend yours. If they do not extend their visa, it will be valid until its original end date. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
Getting a decision
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:
- 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
- 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.
International Agreement Visa (Temporary Work)
You can apply for a Temporary Work – International Agreement visa if you’ll be contracted to do work covered by international law or treaty while in the UK. This includes working:
- for an overseas government or ‘recognised international organisation’
- as a private servant in a diplomatic household
Check the eligibility requirements.
This visa has replaced the Temporary Worker – International Agreement Worker visa (T5).
Sponsorship
You need to be sponsored (have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed employer) before you can apply to come to the UK.
The work you do in the UK must relate to the work of your sponsor organisation.
How long it takes
You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.
You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.
How long you can stay
How long you can stay in the UK depends on the type of work you do.
If you’re an overseas government worker or international organisation worker, you can stay for up to 2 years or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus up to 14 days, whichever is shorter.
If you’re a private servant in a diplomatic household, you can stay for up to 5 years. You can apply for up to 2 years at a time or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus up to 14 days, whichever is shorter.
When you can enter and leave
You can enter the UK on the date your visa starts.
You may be asked to leave the UK within 60 days if your job finishes early. It’s unlikely you’ll have to leave if your visa has less than 60 days remaining.
Your partner and children
Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.
If your partner or child’s application is successful, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours. If a child’s parents have visas with different expiry dates, the child’s visa will end on the earlier date.
Extend your visa
You can apply to extend your Temporary Work – International Agreement visa.
You should apply before your current visa expires.
You must be in the UK to extend your visa and continue to meet the eligibility rules.
If you’re a private servant
You do not need to prove your knowledge of English when you extend your visa.
You must prove that you’ve received your salary in the 3 months before you apply. You must provide both:
- 3 months of payslips, counting back from the day you apply
- proof that you received your salary in your bank account
How long you can stay
How long you can stay in the UK depends on the type of work you do.
If you’re an overseas government worker or international organisation worker, you can stay in the UK for a maximum of 2 years.
If you’re a private servant or work as an employee in the household of someone who works for a ‘recognised international organisation’, you can stay in the UK for a maximum of 5 years.
Your partner and children
Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically extend if you extend yours. If they do not extend their visa, it will be valid until its original end date. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
Getting a decision
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:
- 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
- 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.
You may be eligible for or have rights in any of the above categories depending on your visa status or circumstances.
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