The Charity Worker visa allows you to do volunteer work for one year in the UK. Besides being a volunteer, you can also study and take a second job of the same nature as your volunteer work.
Eligibility Requirements for Charity Worker Visa
To qualify for the Charity Worker visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be over 18.
- You must have a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) reference number from your UK sponsor. The certificate of sponsorship is valid for three months, so you must use it to apply for the visa within this period.
- You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to support yourself financially. This amount of money needs to be available for 28 successive days. You do not need to meet this eligibility requirement if:
- You have been in the UK with a valid visa for a minimum of one year.
- Your sponsor will cover you during the first month with at least £1,270.
You cannot get this visa if you were given a Religious Worker or Charity Worker visa in the last year.
The Required Documents for the Charity Worker Visa
You must gather the following documents to apply for the Charity Worker visa:
- Your certificate of sponsorship reference number.
- A valid passport with a blank page for your visa.
- Proof of your relationship with your partner and children if you bring them.
- Bank statements or other documents as proof that you have sufficient personal funds.
- You may also be required to submit other documents, depending on your situation.
You must provide a certified translation of the documents that are not in English or Welsh.
How to Apply for the Charity Worker Visa?
To apply for the Charity Worker visa, you must:
- Complete the online application form. You must provide your data in English. You need the CoS reference number from your employer to successfully apply.
- Submit the required documents. The documents you upload must be scanned files or photos. They must be either PDF, JPG, PNG, or JPEG.
- Pay the required fees. You must pay the healthcare surcharge (£624) and the application fee (£259) online.
- Book an appointment at a visa application center. You can find a VAC by checking the “Find a visa application center” on GOV.UK. When you apply online you must schedule an appointment at a visa application center to provide your biometric information.
- Provide supporting documents. You may be required to provide additional documents when you attend the appointment. You can submit them when you attend the appointment or when you apply online.
Obtaining the Biometric Residence Permit
You will be granted a biometric residence permit (BRP) after submitting your biometric information at a visa application center. You must retrieve the BRP when you arrive in the UK. The BRP proves your identity, and right to stay and study in the UK.
What is the Processing Time for the Charity Worker Visa?
After you apply online and provide the required documents for the Charity Worker visa, it will take about three weeks for your application to be processed if you apply outside the UK. If you apply from the UK, you have to wait for eight weeks to get a decision on your visa.
Duration of the Charity Worker Visa
The processing time for the Charity Worker visa is one year or the period stated in your CoS, and 14 days, whichever is shorter.
What are the Fees of the Charity Worker Visa?
To apply for the Charity Worker visa, you must pay the required fees:
| Application fee | £259 |
| Healthcare surcharge | £624 per year |
Can I Extend the Charity Worker Visa?
You can apply to extend the Charity Worker visa if you still meet the eligibility requirements. You can extend your stay for a maximum of 12 months or the time in your CoS plus 14 days, whichever is shorter. You must apply for an extension at the UK Government’s visa and immigration website before your current visa expires.
Can I Switch to the Charity Worker Visa?
You cannot switch to the Charity Worker visa. You can apply for this visa only if you are outside the UK.
Conditions of the Charity Worker Visa
Once you obtain the Charity Worker visa, there are certain conditions that come with it:
| You can | You cannot |
| Study | Receive payment for your volunteer work |
| Bring eligible dependents | Take a permanent job |
| Do a second job of the same nature for up to 20 hours/week | Get public funds |
| Work for your UK sponsor as stated in your CoS |
Does the Charity Worker Visa Lead to Settlement in the UK?
The Charity Worker visa does not lead to permanent settlement in the UK. If you want to settle in the UK, you must choose another visa route that allows you to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
Can I Bring Dependents with the Charity Worker Visa?
The Charity Worker visa allows you to bring dependents to the UK. You must prove your relationship to the family members you bring. Eligible dependents are:
- Your husband, wife, civil partner, or unmarried partner.
- Your child under 18 who is already in the UK as your dependent.
- Your child under the age of 18.
- To bring dependents, you have to prove your relationship with them. You must prove that:
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- You are in a civil partnership or marriage recognized in the UK.
- You have been living with your partner for at least two years when applying.
- Your child must be living with you.
- Your child must not have kids, be in a civil partnership, or married.
- Your child must rely on you financially.
If your child lives with you, you need to submit proof of their address:
- Credit card bills
- Driving license
- NHS registration document
- A bank statement
- An official letter from their university or college