There are a lot of people that want to visit the United Kingdom. It is a location with several options for some while offering relaxation and enjoyment for others. Whatever it is, there is no denying that it is a popular travel destination.
Since the UK is home to some of the top universities in the world, many foreign students apply to study there. Most people are eager to travel to the UK for either job or studies. Another route for people to enter the kingdom, even for a little stay, is the UK charity visa.
What is a charity worker visa, you may be wondering now?
Foreign people may participate in and work in the UK’s charitable sector with the help of a short-term or temporary work visa known as a volunteer visa, which took the place of the previous tier 5 charity worker visa. Before departing for the UK, anyone planning to visit a charity’s location or perform voluntary work must apply for a UK charity work visa.
If the application for a charity work visa is successful, the applicant will be able to stay in the kingdom for up to 12 months, or for the specific amount of time specified in their sponsorship certificate. Additionally, it is stated that you may remain for up to 14 days before starting your charitable work.
You will be able to study, hold another position in the same charity sector as your primary employment, and even bring your family to the UK if you have a UK charity work visa and carry out the charity work exactly as specified in COS. You cannot accept a permanent position even though you won’t be paid for the work you accomplish.
There are many possibilities, including short and lengthy work visas, if your goal is to work for hire in the kingdom. Programs including skilled worker visas, high-potential individual visas, and global talent visas are available under the long-term compensated visa. Seasonal work visas, government-approved exchange visas, visas for creative workers, and finally the international agreement visa are all choices for the short-term paid work visa.
Tier 5/charity worker extension visa
These work visas can really be extended in the UK, but only if you stay within the 12-month maximum period allowed.
Requirements for the charity worker visa in the UK
There are some prerequisites that must be met in order to successfully receive the charity worker visa, and they are as follows:
- The candidate must be at least 18.
- Must possess a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from one of the kingdom’s recognized nonprofit businesses or sectors.
- The applicant must have at least €1,270 to cover living expenses while visiting the UK. You must have kept the money for at least 28 days.
Steps to follow to apply for a charity work visa
There are specific procedures you must follow in order to submit an application for a UK work visa, and they are as follows:
- Complete and submit the online application for a UK charity worker visa. Prior to the applicant’s start date, this form may take up to three months to be filed.
- Make annual payments of €259 for the application fee and €624 for the healthcare surcharge. This fee is used to cover applicant health concerns handled by the UK Immigrant Medical Ministry.
How to obtain a charity worker visa in the United Kingdom
The actions that must be taken are as follows:
- Complete and submit the online application for a UK charity worker visa. Prior to the applicant’s start date, this form may take up to three months to be filed.
- Make annual payments of €259 for the application fee and €624 for the healthcare surcharge. This is due to the immigration health surcharge covering your medical costs in the event that you require treatment or medical attention while you are a visitor to the UK.
- Use the UK Immigration ID Check mobile app to verify your identification, or schedule an appointment at the area that is closest to the applicant for the visa.
- Make arrangements for any documentation that the home office may require:
- Reference number provided by your employer
- A valid passport as evidence of nationality and identity
- Proof confirming your relationship with your family
- Tuberculosis test results
You have three weeks from the time the aforementioned stages are finished to wait for a final decision on your visa application from the home office.
Bringing dependents on a charity worker visa
You are permitted to bring your spouse and children to the UK on a family visa as long as you have this visa.
Your partner must be your spouse, wife, civil partner, or unmarried partner in order for you to bring them to the UK. You must, however, have been dating for two years in order to be eligible for the unmarried visa.
Your children must be under 18 and financially reliant on you in order for you to bring them. The home office may ask you for proof that your child genuinely lives with you if they are 16 years old or older; if this is confirmed, they will have to rely on you financially.
Each family member who wants to travel with the applicant must submit their own application to the home office and pay the same visa and healthcare fees in order to be granted a dependant visa. To make sure that all of the applications are linked properly, they must additionally include the applicant’s global online form or a specific application number.
Your family members or dependents may join you in the kingdom for the entire period of time specified in your dependant visa if you have one.