The Charity Worker visa lets a registered charity sponsor someone to do unpaid voluntary work directly related to the charity's purpose for up to 12 months. It is a Temporary Work route. For paid roles a charity needs a Skilled Worker licence instead.

The licence

A registered charity (or an excepted or exempt charity, or an ecclesiastical corporation) applies for a sponsor licence for the Charity Worker route. The fee is the small-organisation rate of £611, correct on 13 October 2026. The charity must show it is registered, that the role is genuine voluntary work and that it can meet the sponsor duties.

The worker's requirements

A certificate of sponsorship for voluntary work that is not a paid role and does not replace one.
Maintenance funds unless certified by the charity.
Reasonable expenses can be paid; a salary cannot.

Limits

Up to 12 months, with no extension beyond that.
A cooling-off period before another Temporary Work visa of this kind.
Does not lead to settlement; dependants can join.

Charity Worker or Skilled Worker?

If the role is paid, or you want the person to stay long term, the charity needs a Skilled Worker licence and the role must meet the skill and salary rules. Charities pay the lower immigration skills charge and licence fee. See sponsor licences.

What we do

We advise the charity on the right route, prepare the licence and the worker's application, and set up the compliance systems the charity will be audited against.