What is the UK Temporary Work Visa?
Formerly known as the Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visa, the T5 (Temporary Worker) visa routes offer various opportunities for individuals seeking temporary employment in the UK. These routes include:
1. Creative or Sporting Worker
2. Charity Worker
3. Religious Worker
4. Government Authorized Exchange Worker
5. International Agreement Worker
6. Seasonal Worker
Temporary Worker – Charity Worker Visa (T5):
You can apply for a Temporary Worker – Charity Worker visa (T5) if:
– You wish to engage in unpaid voluntary work for a charity.
– You meet all other eligibility requirements.
This visa category has replaced the Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – Charity Worker) visa.
Duration of Stay:
You are permitted to stay for up to 12 months or the duration specified on your certificate of sponsorship, plus an additional 14 days, whichever is shorter. You may enter the UK up to 14 days before the commencement of your job.
Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting Visa (T5):
You must apply for a Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting visa (T5) if:
– You have been offered employment in the UK as a sports person or creative worker.
– You meet all other eligibility criteria, including holding a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed employer related to your work.
A creative worker encompasses individuals working in the creative industry, such as actors, dancers, musicians, or members of a film crew.
Duration of Stay:
You can stay in the UK for a maximum of up to 12 months or the period specified in your certificate of sponsorship, plus an additional 28 days, whichever is shorter. Extensions may be possible, and your stay must commence no more than 14 days before the start date on your certificate of sponsorship.
Temporary Worker – Government Authorised Exchange Visa (T5):
You are eligible to apply for a Temporary Worker – Government Authorised Exchange visa (T5) if:
– You intend to visit the UK for a brief period for work experience, training, an Overseas Government Language Programme, research, or a fellowship under an approved government-authorized exchange scheme.
– You have a sponsor.
– You meet all other eligibility criteria.
This visa category has replaced the Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – Government Authorised Exchange) visa.
Duration of Stay:
You can remain in the UK for up to 12 or 24 months (depending on the specific scheme) or the duration specified on your certificate of sponsorship, plus an additional 14 days, whichever is shorter. Similar to other visas, you may enter the UK up to 14 days before your job’s start date.
Temporary Worker – International Agreement Worker Visa (T5):
You can apply for a Temporary Worker – International Agreement Worker visa (T5) if you will be contracted to perform work covered by international law or treaty while in the UK. This includes:
– Working for a foreign government.
– Serving as a private servant in a diplomatic household.
– Providing services under contract as a contractual service supplier or independent professional.
You must also meet all other eligibility requirements. This visa type has replaced the Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – International Agreement) visa.
Duration of Stay:
In most cases, you can stay for 2 years, or the duration specified on your certificate of sponsorship, plus up to 28 days, whichever is shorter. In certain situations, a maximum stay of 6 months within a 12-month period may apply.
Temporary Worker – Religious Worker Visa (T5):
You can apply for a Temporary Worker – Religious Worker visa (T5) if:
– You intend to engage in religious work in a non-pastoral role or religious order.
– You meet all other eligibility requirements.
This visa category has replaced the Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – Religious Worker) visa.
Duration of Stay:
You will be granted a visa to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months or up to 28 days beyond the period specified on your certificate of sponsorship. However, sponsorship for a shorter duration may be possible.
Seasonal Worker Visa (T5):
You can apply for a Seasonal Worker visa (T5) if you plan to come to the UK for up to 6 months to engage in farm work. To be eligible, you must:
– Have a sponsor.
– Meet all other eligibility criteria.
This visa category has replaced the Tier 5 Seasonal Worker visa.
Duration of Stay:
You are permitted to stay in the UK for up to 6 months, commencing from the date your visa becomes valid. This means you may enter the UK up to 14 days before the start date of your job.
Youth Mobility Scheme Visa (T5):
You are eligible to apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa (T5) if you:
– Desire to reside and work in the UK for up to 2 years.
– Are aged between 18 and 30.
– Possess £2,530 in savings.
– Belong to certain British Nationality categories or are from specific countries or territories.
– Meet all other eligibility requirements.
This visa type has replaced the Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) visa.
Duration of Stay:
You will receive a visa allowing you to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months. You have the flexibility to enter and exit the UK at any time during your stay. If you reach the age of 31 while in the UK, you can remain for the duration of your visa’s validity.
Basic Benefits of T5 Routes:
Applicants cannot switch between different T5 (Temporary Worker) routes; however, they may apply for extensions on the same T5 route if they have not exceeded the maximum duration of leave allowed on that route.
Dependents, including partners and children, are eligible to join individuals granted entry clearance or leave to remain as a T5 (Temporary Worker), provided they meet the rules’ requirements.
Disclaimer
The information above is not legal advice, and any reference to legal solutions or information regarding UK Immigration is sourced from Gov.uk (the official UK immigration website). ImmigrationHUB.co.uk does not provide legal advice or counsel. Any legal matters are dealt with directly by our partnered firms, which are registered by the governing societies in their area of operations.
