UK Temporary Work Visa

A temporary work visa is a type of UK work visa that allows people to work in the UK for a limited period of time. Depending on the type of work you want to do in the UK, you have five temporary work visas to choose from.

What is the temporary worker visa?

The Temporary Worker Visa is a permit designed for those who wish to travel and work in the UK in a specific set of circumstances and for a limited period of time only (up to 12 months).

International workers need a job offer from an authorized UK sponsor before they can apply for a temporary worker visa.

What are the categories of temporary work visas?

You can apply for one of the following categories to travel to the UK:

• Charity Workers, for those in unpaid or volunteer roles for a UK-registered charity.
• Creative and Sports, for highly qualified athletes, musicians, or actors. Sportspeople must be internationally recognized at the highest level in their sport, or they must come to the UK to make a significant contribution to the development of their area of interest.
• Government-authorized exchange, available only to citizens of countries that have signed up to an approved exchange program. With this visa, young foreigners can gain work experience, training or academic research in the UK, or take part in an overseas government language program.
• International agreement, only for workers whose job offer is covered by international law. This includes embassy and diplomatic employers under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) holding a certificate from an accredited UK organization.
• Religious Worker Visa, for those employed to preach or work in a monastery or convent by a religious order in the UK

What are the requirements for a temporary worker visa?

To be eligible for a temporary worker visa, you must have:

• A valid job offer from a UK-based institution that holds a certificate of sponsorship and is legally authorized to employ international workers
• A certificate of sponsorship from your sponsor
• At least £1,270 in savings, available in your bank account for at least 28 consecutive days. Day 28 must occur within 31 days of requesting this visa.
• Depending on the visa category you are applying for, you may be required to complete an English language test.

You can demonstrate your English proficiency by providing a taught or researched degree in English or an approved language qualification.

Your sponsor can get an on-site visit from compliance officers at any time, to ensure that migrant workers, as well as the company, comply with their obligations.

What documents are required for a temporary work visa?

To be eligible for a temporary worker visa, you must have:

• A valid job offer from a UK based institution;
• A certificate of sponsorship from your sponsor;
• At least £1,270 available in your bank for at least 28 consecutive days
• Depending on the type of work you will be doing, you may be required to complete an English language test.

Your sponsor can get an on-site visit from compliance officers at any time, to ensure that migrant workers, as well as the company, comply with their obligations.

How to apply for a temporary worker visa

Here are the general steps you will normally follow to apply for a Temporary Worker Visa (Tier 5 Visa) in the UK:

Check eligibility: Determine if you are eligible for a temporary worker visa. This may involve receiving a job offer from a UK based employer with a valid sponsor licence.

Sponsorship: Your UK employer must be an authorized sponsor to employ you on the T5 (Temporary Worker) visa category. They will provide you with a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS).

Online Application: Complete the online visa application form on the official UK government website. You will need to create an account and provide the requested information.

Pay the application fee: Pay the relevant application fee, which may vary depending on factors such as the type of temporary worker visa you are applying for and your nationality.

Health surcharge: Pay the immigration health surcharge, which will grant you access to the National Health Service (NHS) during your stay.

Biometric information: Depending on your nationality, you may need to visit a local visa application center to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and photograph).

Documents: Prepare and submit the required documents, which may include your valid passport, Certificate of Sponsorship (COS), proof of funds and any other documents specified in the application guidelines.

Tuberculosis test (if applicable): If you are from a country where a tuberculosis (TB) test is required, you will need to complete this test and provide the relevant certificate.

Application Confirmation: After submitting your application and attending your biometric appointment (if necessary), you will receive an application confirmation.

Decision: The processing time for a temporary worker visa may vary. If approved, you will receive a vignette in your passport, allowing you to travel to the UK.

Collecting your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP): Once you arrive in the UK, you will need to collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) from a designated post office within 10 days.

Supporting documents

There are several documents you need to provide to prove that you are eligible for a temporary work visa. These include:

• Evidence of an official job offer from a UK employer (such as an email or letter from HR)
• A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by your sponsor
• Bank statements showing that you have at least £1,270 in savings and that these were in your bank account at least 90 days before you applied
• You may also need to demonstrate that you have completed and passed an English language test, depending on the subcategory you are applying for.

Who can apply for a temporary work visa?

Any non-British or non-Irish citizen can apply for a temporary work visa as long as they can demonstrate that they have a valid job offer that fits the temporary work visa application category for which they are applying. This must be from a UK based institution and employer who holds a valid sponsor licence.

Is there a visa for artists in the UK?

A temporary visa can be used by artists and performers who wish to work in the UK for projects, performances and exhibitions.

This can be done by applying in the Creative and Sports category.

If you are an artist and need to employ a crew of international creatives (for example if you are a director staging a show in Britain, for example) you need to hold a sponsors license and, when sponsoring workers, you need to demonstrate ‘UKVI that each individual has specific and necessary skills.

Can I get a work visa in the UK without sponsorship?

Yes, there are several UK work visa routes that do not require a job offer from a UK authorized sponsor, such as the High Potential Individual Visa, Graduate Route and Global Talent Visas. As with any visa, these routes have specific requirements that must still be met.

How to find sponsors in the UK?

Check the official UK Government website for a list of accredited sponsors. This is recommended as these sponsors have been vetted by the Home Office.