Temporary Work Visa UK

Temporary worker visas are designed to attract overseas based workers who wish to undertake employment or gain work experience in the UK on a temporary basis. This visa category has several sub-categories, each with a specific set of rules.

What is a Temporary Work Visa?

Previously covered under Tier 5 visa category, Temporary worker is a range of immigration routes that is targeted at overseas nationals who wish to work in the UK on short-term assignments or gain experience in their chosen field. There are several categories that are included in this route, each with its own requirements and they cover a multitude of circumstances and industries. For instance, creative and sporting industries often use this route to bring over collaborators for short projects. Similarly, religious organisations and charities rely heavily on this route. There are also categories that are more relevant for those seeking to experience life in the UK or gain experience in a particular field. Check the Temporary Worker visa categories below, to see if you might fit the requirements of this route.

Our team of Temporary Worker visa lawyers has significant experience in all aspects of Temporary Worker visas and is able to help you achieve favourable outcomes, whether you are an individual looking to come to the UK on such a visa or a business looking to hire on this visa.

The UK can offer an abundance of opportunities for career and professional growth. For this reason, thousands of migrants chose the UK as their destination for gaining work experience, developing their skills further and acquiring new, valuable skills. As a team of immigration lawyers, we are dedicated to ensuring that your intentions become a reality.

Read our client testimonials to see how we’ve helped so many achieve their legal aims. Contact us today to discuss your case.

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See also:

1. Skilled worker visa
2. Sole Representative Visa
3. EU Settlement Scheme
4. ILR applications
5. PBS refusals and Judicial Reviews

Temporary Work Visa Frequently Asked Questions

What are the categories of Temporary Work visas?

The temporary work visa has several sub-categories:

1.  A creative worker visa is aimed at professional workers from creative industries, including artists, dancers, writers, filmmakers etc
2. A charity worker visa is aimed at those who are intending to come to the UK to carry out volunteer fieldwork with a UK based charity and can demonstrate that their work will directly contribute to the achievement or advancement of the sponsor’s charitable purpose in the UK.
3. A religious worker visa is designated for those coming to the UK to do temporary religious work for a UK based religious organisation.
4. Government authorised exchange visa, this sub-category is for those seeking entry to the UK to share knowledge, experience and best practices and is suitable for work placements and not filling in vacancies.
5. International Agreement worker visa, this subcategory covers workers coming to the UK to provide services under International Agreements. It includes servants in diplomatic households; employees of overseas governments and International Organisations, the General Agreement of Trade and Services as well as similar agreements between the UK, the EU and other countries.
6. Seasonal workers visa, which is targeted at the seasonal workers coming to work for the edible horticultural, poultry production, haulage driving for transportation of goods and specified pork butchery work through an approved sponsor licence holder.

Each of the Temporary worker sub-categories has distinct requirements that one must meet in order to be granted leave to remain under this route.

What are the requirements for a Temporary Work visa?

As mentioned above, each sub-category has specific requirements that an applicant must meet, however, two main requirements are shared by all the sub-categories:

Valid Sponsorship: you will need to show that you have an organisation willing to sponsor you, who has issued a CoS and confirmed certain points on it
Maintenance requirement: For maintenance requirements, you will need to supply proof of having at least £1270 of personal savings that you have held for a 90-day minimum period or rely on your  A-rated Sponsor to supply you with an undertaking in respect of maintenance.

Simply meeting the points requirement is not sufficient to succeed under this route. Other requirements you must meet include:

• Genuine Temporary worker migrant test, which means you should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the role you are set to cover, show relevant skills, knowledge of the sponsor in the UK, provide an explanation on how you were recruited and any other information the Immigration officer might deem relevant.
• Do not fall for refusal under general grounds of refusal, meaning you should not have recent criminal convictions or an adverse immigration history that may lead to your visa being refused.

Apart from these general requirements, each Temporary worker visa sub-category has its own requirements. You should always consult with a specialist visa solicitor if you intend to come to the UK under any of the Temporary worker sub-categories, as each matter should be assessed against the specifics of the relevant sub-category.

How long can I stay in the UK on a Tier 5 visa?

The length you can stay in the UK on this visa will depend on what subcategory of Temporary Worker visa you have.

• Creative worker visa, you will be granted leave for up to 12 months or the time given on your CoS plus 14 days before and after, whichever is shorter. You will be able to extend your leave for up to maximum of 12 months only if changing employer;
• Charity worker visa, you will be granted leave for up to 12 months or the time given on your CoS plus 14 days before and after, whichever is shorter. The maximum time on this route is 12 months, after which a 12 month cooling-off period applies;
• Religious worker visa, you will be granted leave for up to 24 months or the time given on your CoS plus 14 days before and after, whichever is shorter. The maximum time on this route is 12 months, after which a 12 month cooling-off period applies;
• Government authorised exchange visa, you will be granted leave for 12 or 24 months or the time given on your CoS plus 14 days before and after, whichever is shorter. 12 month maximum period applies to those on work experience and the 24 months is applicable to research and training program participants;
• International Agreement worker visa, you will be granted leave for up to 24 months or the time given on your CoS plus 14 days after the end date on CoS and 14 days prior to the start date, whichever is shorter. The maximum time on this visa will depend on the sub-route. 
• Seasonal worker visa, you will be granted leave for 6 months in any given 12 months period or the time given on your CoS plus 14 days before and after, whichever is shorter.

How Can RVS Solicitors help your Temporary Work Visa application?

At RVS Solicitors, we have a team of experienced Temporary Worker visa solicitors who can ensure that your plans to enhance your career and gain valuable experience and skills in another country proceeds smoothly.

Our visa lawyers understand the requirements for Temporary Worker visas and the intricacies surrounding these routes. We work closely with many employers to help them gain Sponsor Licenses and get Sponsored migrants into the UK. We also work with individuals who are intending to come to the UK on a Temporary Worker visa, guiding them throughout the entire process.

Mistakes in immigration can be costly, from financial losses to missed employment opportunities and lost careers. Therefore, we have put together a team of the best immigration lawyers specialising in Skilled Worker and Temporary Worker visas. They will guide you on each step and ensure your goal is successfully achieved.

To find out more about how we can assist you with your Temporary Worker visa application, please contact our London office on 020 3372 5125 or complete our online enquiry form to make an appointment. Find out more information on our fees and timescales here.

To read more about similar issues please visit our blog or read on how we have helped others in similar circumstances by visiting our success stories