The UK Charity Worker Visa (Temporary Work, Charity Worker route) is designed for individuals who want to undertake unpaid voluntary work for a registered UK charity on a short-term basis. This immigration category supports genuine charitable work and allows organisations to bring volunteers to the UK for up to one year. Although the route does not lead directly to settlement, it still provides international volunteers with an opportunity to gain UK experience, build networks, and potentially switch into a work visa that can lead to long-term residence.
Charity worker visa: Core eligibility & dependants
can a Charity Worker come with dependants in the UK?
Yes, they can.
This is one of the most misunderstood parts of the Temporary Work, Charity Worker route. Despite outdated online articles that still claim dependants are not allowed, the current UK immigration rules confirm that dependants are permitted.
Your partner/spouse and children under 18 can apply to join you or accompany you in the UK. Each dependant must:
-
Submit a separate application
-
Meet the relationship requirements
-
Meet the financial maintenance requirement unless the sponsor certifies it
Dependants are granted permission in line with the main applicant’s visa duration.
How long can you stay on aUK Charity Worker visa?
You can stay in the UK for:
-
Up to 12 months, or
-
The period stated on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) + 14 days
whichever is shorter.
This is a strict maximum, the Home Office does not allow you to exceed the 12-month limit under any circumstances.
Can you extend a Charity Worker visa?
Yes, but only within the 12-month maximum limit.
If your first grant was for less than one year, you can extend as long as your total stay does not exceed 12 months. If you have already reached the 12-month cap, you cannot extend further and must leave or switch to another immigration route.
Can I work on a Charity Worker visa?
You are allowed to perform unpaid voluntary work only for the charity that issued your CoS.
You cannot:
-
Take any paid employment
-
Work for another employer
-
Accept a salaried or permanent role
-
Carry out self-employment or business activities
If you receive a full-time job offer, you must switch to a work visa, such as the Skilled Worker visa.
Who is eligible for a Charity Worker visa in the UK?
To qualify under this route, you must:
-
Be 18 or older
-
Hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by a licensed UK charity
-
Have a genuine, unpaid voluntary role
-
Meet the financial requirement (£1,270 for 28 days unless certified by the sponsor)
-
Show that you intend to leave the UK after the placement
-
Have enough funds to support yourself and your dependants (unless maintenance is certified)
The unpaid role must genuinely relate to the charity’s work and must not replace a paid position.
Switching and Settlement
Can the Charity Worker visa lead to ILR (permanent residency)?
No.
The Charity Worker route is a temporary immigration category. It does not count toward the UK’s settlement period. Even if you stay for the full 12 months, this time does not contribute to the 5-year ILR calculation.
That said, the experience and exposure gained during the voluntary role often help applicants secure sponsored employment later.
Can you switch from a Charity Worker visa to a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes – switching from inside the UK is allowed.
This is a common pathway for volunteers who receive a job offer from their charity or another UK employer. To switch, you must:
-
Have a job offer from a licensed Skilled Worker sponsor
-
Meet the minimum salary threshold
-
Meet the appropriate skill level (RQF3 or above)
-
Meet the English language requirement
-
Meet the financial requirements (unless exempt)
Many charities hold both Temporary Worker and Skilled Worker sponsorship – allowing smooth transitions for volunteers who later secure paid roles.
Which UK visa is the fastest way to get permanent residence?
Some of the fastest settlement routes include:
Innovator Founder visa
-
ILR possible after 3 years
-
Must meet Home Office business criteria
Global Talent visa
-
ILR after 3 years (if endorsed as a leader)
-
ILR after 5 years (if endorsed as an emerging leader)
Skilled Worker visa
-
Most applicants qualify for ILR after 5 years
-
No need to leave the UK if you maintain sponsorship and meet salary rules
Skilled Worker Visa: Key updates
The Skilled Worker visa has undergone major changes in the past 2 years, especially in terms of salary thresholds and dependant eligibility.
Below are the most important and fully updated points.
Which skilled workers can bring dependants to the UK?
Most Skilled Worker applicants can bring dependants, but there is a crucial exception.
Care workers & senior care Workers – dependant ban (since 11 march 2024)
Applicants in the following occupation codes cannot bring dependants if they applied on or after 11 March 2024:
-
6145 – Care Workers
-
6146 – Senior Care Workers
Applicants who applied before that date remain exempt under transitional rules.
This ban does not apply to nurses, doctors, or other healthcare roles.
Updated skilled worker salary requirements
The Skilled Worker salary rules changed significantly.
The new general salary threshold is:
£41,700 per year or the going rate for the job code (whichever is higher)
This rule applies to most new applicants.
Exceptions and discounts include:
-
PhD-related discounts
-
New entrants
-
Roles on the Immigration Salary List (ISL)
-
National pay scales within the Health & Care Worker visa
However, discounts are now narrower than before.
Who cannot switch into the Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK?
The following categories must leave the UK and apply from abroad:
-
Visitor visa holders
-
Seasonal Worker visa holders
-
Domestic Workers in Private Households
-
Short-term Students
-
Any Temporary Worker route except Charity Worker
This means Charity Worker visa holders can switch, but others cannot.
Which UK visas allow dependants?
Dependants are allowed under the following visa categories:
-
Skilled Worker visa (except new Care Worker applications)
-
Health & Care Worker visa (except new Care Worker applications)
-
Global Talent visa
-
Senior or Specialist Worker visa
-
Minister of Religion visa
-
Charity Worker visa
-
Student visa (for PhD/doctoral-level courses or government-sponsored students)
This list reflects the most current dependent rules.
Updated sponsorship costs
Below are the updated employer costs for sponsoring a UK work visa, including Skilled Worker:
Sponsor licence application fees
-
£574 – small or charitable organisation
-
£1,579 – medium or large organisation
Fees increased in recent Home Office updates and replaced older figures (£536 / £1,476).
Certificate of sponsorship (CoS) fees
The CoS fee was increased in 2025.
It is no longer £239.
Current CoS fee: £525
This applies to most Worker routes.
Immigration skills charge (ISC)
-
£364 per year – small/charitable sponsors
-
£1,000 per year – medium/large sponsors
Charity Worker visa sponsorship does NOT require the ISC.
Applicant fees (visa application + IHS) are separate and must be paid individually.
Summary
The UK Charity Worker visa is a temporary route designed for individuals completing unpaid voluntary work with a UK-registered charity. Although it does not lead directly to settlement and is limited to a maximum of 12 months, the route does allow dependants, supports genuine charitable engagement, and can be used as a stepping stone to longer-term visas such as the Skilled Worker route.
Given the recent changes to sponsorship fees, salary thresholds, and dependant policies-particularly for care-sector roles, applicants and employers should always cross-check the latest Home Office updates when preparing an application or planning future immigration steps.