Temporary Work Visa

Temporary work visas (formerly known as Tier 5 visa) allow foreign nationals to work in the UK for a short period of up to 12 months (or more in some cases). There are several types of UK Temporary Work Visa, as explained below. With a UK Temporary Work Visa, you will be able to work, study, and in some cases, bring your dependant family members with you. You may also be able to extend your visa and even switch to a different type once here, such as a Skilled Worker visa or family visa.

There are several types of Temporary Work Visa available in the UK. These are: • Charity Worker visa

• Creative Worker visa

• Government Authorised Exchange visa

• International Agreement visa

• Religious Worker visa

• Seasonal Worker visa

• Youth Mobility Scheme visa

• Graduate visa

Charity Worker visa

The Charity Worker Visa is for foreign nationals who wish to come to the UK for unpaid voluntary work with a charitable organisation. Applicants need a Certificate of Sponsorship from a charity in the UK with a sponsor licence. Successful applicants can stay in the UK for 12 months.

Creative Worker visa

The Creative Worker Visa is for foreign nationals who wish to come to the UK to work for an employer in the creative sector. This may include performers, actors, dancers, musicians, or film crew. The Creative Worker Visa replaced the Temporary Worker - Creative and Sporting visa (T5) scheme. Applicants need a Certificate of Sponsorship from an employer in the UK with a sponsor licence. Successful applicants can stay in the UK for 12 months and extend for a further 12 months if staying with the same employer.

Government Authorised Exchange visa

The Government Authorised Exchange Visa is for foreign nationals who wish to come to the UK to work for a short duration, either for work experience, training, an Overseas Government Language Programme, research, or undertake a fellowship through an approved government authorised exchange scheme. The Government Authorised Exchange Visa replaces the Temporary Worker - Government Authorised Exchange visa (T5) scheme. Successful applicants can stay in the UK for up to 24 months if coming to the UK for research, an overseas language programme, or a training programme. Those coming for work experience under this scheme can only come for up to 12 months.

International Agreement visa

The International Agreement Visa is for foreign nationals who wish to come to the UK to undertake contract work covered by international law or treaty. This applies to those who work for a foreign government, work as a private servant in a diplomatic household, or provide a service under contract as a contractual service supplier or independent professional. Successful applicants can stay in the UK for up to 24 months if coming to the UK for research, an overseas language programme, or a training programme. Those coming for work experience under this scheme can come for up to:

• 24 months if working for a foreign government or as a private servant in a diplomatic household

• 6 months in any 12 month period if providing a service under contract

• 12 months under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement

• 12 months in any 24 month period under the temporary agreement between the Swiss Confederation (Switzerland) and the UK on services mobility

Religious Worker Visa

The Religious Worker Visa is for foreign nationals who wish to undertake religious work in a non-pastoral role or religious order. Successful applicants can stay in the UK for up to 24 months.

Seasonal Worker Visa

The Seasonal Worker Visa is for foreign nationals who wish to work in ‘edible horticulture’ in the UK. This includes workers who pick fruit and vegetables. Successful applicants can stay in the UK for up to 6 months.

Youth Mobility Scheme visa

The Youth Mobility Scheme visa is for nationals of Australia, Canada, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, Iceland, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. It is also open to British overseas citizens, British overseas territories citizens, and British nationals (overseas). Applicants must be aged between 18 and 30 and live and work in the UK for up to 2 years.

Graduate visa

The UK Graduate Visa is for international students who have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in the UK. Successful applicants can stay in the UK for up to 2 years. Many will use this route to secure permanent full-time work after their studies.

Not all Temporary Work Visa applicants need sponsorship. Those requiring sponsorship include the:

• Charity Worker visa