Tier 5 Temporary Workers

Tier 5: Temporary Workers

The Tier 5 Temporary Worker category is for certain types of temporary worker whose entry to the United Kingdom will help to satisfy cultural, charitable, religious or international objectives, including volunteering and job shadowing.

If you wish to apply for a Tier 5 Temporary Worker visa, you should intend to undertake field work that is directly related to the aims of your Sponsor organisation on a temporary basis.  Your family members may accompany you as your dependents.

The Tier 5 Temporary Worker category is made up of five sub-categories: Creative and Sporting; Charity Workers; Religious Workers; Government Authorised Exchange; and International Agreement.

  • Creative and Sporting

    The Creative and Sporting sub-category of the Tier 5 Temporary Worker route is for individuals who have been offered work as a creative worker (including, but not limited to, actors, dancers, musicians and film crew) or sportspersons.

    If you apply for a Tier 5 Temporary Worker visa as a creative worker, you will need to demonstrate that you can make a unique contribution to the UK labour market and that you will be paid the minimum salary as set by Equity, PACT or BECTU.

    If you apply for a Tier 5 Temporary Worker visa as a sportsperson, you will need to be endorsed by the governing body for your sport and demonstrate that you will make a significant contribution to your sport at the highest level in the UK.

  • Charity

    You can apply for a Tier 5 Temporary Worker visa in the Charity Worker sub-category if you wish to undertake unpaid voluntary work for a charity. The work that you intend to undertake in the UK must directly relate to the charity which is sponsoring you and the position must not be a permanent position.

    Tier 5 Temporary Worker – Religious Workers If you would like to undertake religious work, for example preaching or working in a religious order, you may be able to apply for a Tier 5 Temporary Worker visa in the Religious Worker sub-category. Your salary will need to be at least equal to that received by settled workers in the same role.

  • Government Authorised Exchange

    The Tier 5 Temporary Worker Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) route is for individuals who wish to come to the UK for a short time for work experience or to complete training, an Overseas Government Language Programme, research or a fellowship through an approved Government Authorised Exchange scheme.

  • International Agreement

    You can apply for a Tier 5 Temporary Worker visa in the International Agreement sub-category if, while in the UK, you will be contracted to undertake work that is covered by international law (e.g. working for a foreign government or as a private servant in a diplomatic household). You will need to have professional experience in the relevant sector before you apply under this route.

  • Entry Clearance

    You can apply for a Tier 5 Temporary Worker visa in the International Agreement sub-category if, while in the UK, you will be contracted to undertake work that is covered by international law (e.g. working for a foreign government or as a private servant in a diplomatic household). You will need to have professional experience in the relevant sector before you apply under this route.

  • Further Leave to Remain

    In order to qualify for an extension of stay as a Tier 5 Temporary Worker, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

    • You are being sponsored in the same Temporary Worker subcategory and for the same role as the one in which you were last sponsored when applying as a Tier 5 Temporary Worker migrant; and
    • You have been issued with a certificate of sponsorship from a UK employer holding a valid Tier 5 Sponsor License; and
    • You have sufficient funds to support yourself for the duration of your stay in the UK without relying on public funds.

    Tier 5 Temporary Workers can only apply for an extension of their visa up to the maximum period of time permitted by the relevant subcategory or, if shorter, the time specified in their certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days.

  • Indefinite Leave to Remain

    In order to qualify for an extension of stay as a Tier 5 Temporary Worker, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

    • You are being sponsored in the same Temporary Worker subcategory and for the same role as the one in which you were last sponsored when applying as a Tier 5 Temporary Worker migrant; and
    • You have been issued with a certificate of sponsorship from a UK employer holding a valid Tier 5 Sponsor License; and
    • You have sufficient funds to support yourself for the duration of your stay in the UK without relying on public funds.

    Tier 5 Temporary Workers can only apply for an extension of their visa up to the maximum period of time permitted by the relevant subcategory or, if shorter, the time specified in their certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days.

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