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The Charity Worker visa (part of the UK’s Temporary Worker routes) allows individuals aged 18 and above to undertake unpaid voluntary work with a UK-registered charity. This visa is strictly for genuine volunteering and cannot be used for paid employment.
For those wishing to contribute to community projects, youth services, education, or environmental initiatives, the Charity Worker visa offers a rewarding opportunity to serve while gaining cross-cultural experience.
You must be 18 or over and have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a UK charity licensed under the Temporary Worker scheme.
Your role must be genuinely voluntary and not replace paid staff. Jobs in retail, fundraising, administration, or maintenance are excluded.
You must show at least £1,270 in savings, held for 28 consecutive days within 31 days of your application, unless your sponsor certifies maintenance for your first month.
If you have previously held a Charity Worker or Religious Worker visa, you must not have been in the UK under those categories in the last 12 months (unless you spent that time outside the UK).
This visa does not lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settlement.
Personal funds – £1,270 held for 28 days within 31 days of application.
If your sponsor certifies maintenance, the personal funds requirement may be waived for your first month.
Dependants can live, study, and work in the UK (except as professional sportspersons).
You cannot switch into a Charity Worker visa from within the UK — all applications to enter this route must be made from overseas.
However, if you already hold a Charity Worker visa, you can switch from it into other visa categories while inside the UK, provided you meet the relevant requirements. Possible routes include:
This flexibility makes the Charity Worker visa particularly useful for those wishing to begin their UK journey through volunteering and later transition into a different immigration route.
At LawSentis, regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA), we work directly with UK charities to help you secure a Charity Worker visa with confidence. Our services include:
With our expertise, you can be assured that your application is compliant, well-prepared, and positioned for success.
The Charity Worker visa provides a chance to make a genuine impact in the UK’s charitable sector, while developing international experience and skills. Although it does not lead directly to settlement, it can be a valuable stepping stone toward other immigration routes in the future.
At LawSentis, we simplify the process, protect against common pitfalls, and guide you every step of the way.
Have questions or need more information? Our team is here to help.
Expert guidance on visas, settlement, citizenship, and asylum — just a message away.