The Temporary Work visa category is designed for individuals coming to the UK for a limited period to carry out specific types of work. Whether you’re an artist, charity worker, religious worker, or part of a government-authorised exchange, this route offers short-term opportunities to live and work in the UK under defined conditions.
Types of Temporary Work Visas
There are several subcategories under the Temporary Work route. Each has its own requirements and permitted activities:
- Charity Worker visa
- For unpaid voluntary work at a registered UK charity.
- Maximum stay: 12 months.
- Creative Worker visa
- For artists, entertainers, and creative professionals.
- Maximum stay: 12 months (can be extended in some cases).
- Religious Worker visa
- For those doing religious work, such as preaching or pastoral work.
- Maximum stay: 2 years.
- Government Authorised Exchange visa
- For work experience, training, research, or fellowships under approved schemes.
- Maximum stay: 12 or 24 months, depending on the scheme.
- International Agreement visa
- For work covered by international law (e.g. embassy or diplomatic staff).
- Duration depends on the agreement.
- Seasonal Worker visa
- For farm work (e.g. fruit/vegetable picking).
- Maximum stay: 6 months per year.
Key Requirements
To apply for a Temporary Work visa, you generally need:
- A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed UK sponsor
- To meet the financial requirement (usually show £1,270 in savings)
- To pay the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for visa lengths exceeding 6 months
- To prove your role fits the rules of the relevant visa subcategory
Can you bring your Dependants?
Yes, for most categories (except the Seasonal Worker visa), you can bring your partner and children as dependants if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Applications are typically processed within 3 weeks if applying from outside the UK and 8 weeks from within the UK.
Switching Routes or Extending
- In most cases, you cannot switch to a Temporary Work visa from within the UK and therefore will need to apply from outside the UK
- Extensions may be available depending on the subcategory, but the total stay is usually capped.
At Sincere Immigration, we ensure that your application is accurate, supported, and stress-free. Whether you’re applying for the first time or planning to bring your family, our team can help you:
- Check eligibility and documents
- Ensure you have the correct Sponsorship
- Submit a strong application
Book your free 30-minute consultation today and let us help you start your UK journey the right way.