UK Charity Work Visa: The Easiest Way To Move To The UK

Are you a volunteer worker looking for a new challenge? Or a person looking to get into volunteer work in a different country? Maybe you are just looking for the easiest way to relocate to Europe. The UK charity work visa gives you the easiest way to move to the UK.

All you need is a sponsor, who’s essentially an employer seeking your services pro bono in the United Kingdom. Companies hiring under this visa category usually do all the leg work on your behalf. All you have to do is apply for the visa when the time is right.

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Although there are 2 things to bear in mind while applying for the voluntary work visa UK. The voluntary work being authorized under this visa class is designed to be offered free of charge, meaning you are not going to be paid and there are also eligibility criteria that has to be met before one can apply for this visa.

How To Apply For A UK Charity Work Visa As A Single Applicant

To start the application process, the applicant is advised to read all guidelines on eligibility as well as how to apply and the supporting documents required for the visa application process.

To apply for the UK charity work visa, an applicant will first need to find UK visa sponsorship companies willing to offer temporary work as well as get a certificate of sponsorship from a company that accepts to engage the services of an applicant. The latter is one of the supporting documents that will be submitted amongst others to secure a UK visa under this category from the UKVI (United Kingdom visa and immigration).

Upon getting an offer from a UK employer, you will be required to apply for a UK charity work visa by filling the online application. To successfully get this done, there are vital documents that are needed;

• Passport details
• Certificate of sponsorship number, including the sponsor’s license number
• Proof of sufficient funds
• Proof of relationship linking the primary applicant with his/her partner and their child/children if applying to travel to the UK with them
• A tuberculosis (TB) test for primary applicants from countries where such test is mandatory

To optimally complete the online application form the applicant must;

• Fill all parameters in the English language
• Be ready to pay the health surcharge
• Be ready to pay the visa fee online which is peculiar in most cases
• Provide fingerprints and facial photograph which makes up the biometric capture process required for a biometric residence permit

While in the visa application portal, staying inactive for 25 minutes means the applicant will be logged out. However, the save function can be used at every step of the way, so that applicants can pause their applications and come back to it whenever they are ready to continue.

UK Charity Work Visa Biometric Information

UK visa applicants are mandated to apply for their biometric immigration documents also called a biometric residence permit (BRP). This is a part of their visa application process.

To study, work or reside in the United Kingdom, you will need a proof that authorizes you to take part in one or all of the above activities. This proof is called a biometric resident permit. Working, studying or living in the UK without a biometric resident permit is considered illegal.

It is thus important to know when to apply for a biometric resident permit so as not to be black listed by the authorities in the UK. Applicants who have verified their identity and plan to stay in the UK for a period that will exceed 6 months will need to collect their biometric resident permit. This can be collected when an visa applicant enters the UK.

However, it is important to get this done at least 10 days upon arriving the UK or before the vignette sticker on the applicant’s travel document expires.

If applicants notice any problem with the biometric resident permit, this must be reported at least 10 days of collecting it and not later.

UK Visa Sponsoring Companies

Below is a tabular represented list of some registered temporary worker licensed sponsors in the United Kingdom, recognized by the government, for this purpose alone.

Partner Dependent UK Charity Work Visa Application

Your partner if eligible, will have to fill a separate application to join you in the UK.  He/she is recognized as the primary applicant’s dependent. When granted entry under the UK charity work program, their visa is expected to end when that of the primary recipient who is the original applicant ends.

Just like in the case of the primary applicant, to start the application process, the UK visa applicant’s partner is advised to read all guidelines on eligibility as well as how to apply and the supporting documents required for the visa application process.

To apply for a UK charity work visa, a partner is required to carefully fill out the online application form. To successfully get this done, there are vital documents that are needed;

• Passport details for the applicant whom you are traveling as a dependent under
• His/her certificate of sponsorship (CoS) details, including the UK sponsor’s license number

To optimally complete the online application form a partner must;

• Fill out all parameters in the English language
• Be ready to pay the health surcharge
• Be ready to pay the visa fee online which is peculiar in most cases
• Provide fingerprints and facial photograph which makes up the biometric capture process required for a biometric residence permit

While in the visa application portal as mentioned earlier, staying inactive for 25 minutes means the partner will be logged out. However, the save function can be used at all times, so that partners can pause their applications and come back to it whenever they are ready to continue.

Partners are mandated to apply for their biometric residence permit (BRP). This is a part of their UK visa application process.

Child Dependent Visa Application

The UK visa primary applicant’s children if eligible, will have to fill a separate application to join him/her in the UK. The child/children will be recognized as the applicant’s dependents. When granted entry under this program, their visa is expected to end when that of the primary recipient who is the original applicant ends.

To start the visa application process, the primary applicant’s child is advised to read all guidelines on eligibility as well as how to apply and the supporting documents required for the visa application process.

To apply for a UK charity work visa, the child is required to have his parent’s or legal guardian’s details before carefully filling out the online application form. To successfully get this done, there are vital documents that are needed;

• Passport details of your parents or legal guardian
• If the child’s parent or guardian is a beneficiary of the UK charity work visa or is in the process of applying for one, his/her certificate of sponsorship (CoS) details, including the UK sponsor’s license number will be required

To optimally complete the online application form a partner must;

• Fill out all parameters in the English language
• Be ready to pay the health surcharge
• Be ready to pay the visa fee online which is peculiar in most cases
• Provide fingerprints and facial photograph which makes up the biometric capture process required for a biometric residence permit

If the visa application portal stays inactive for 25 minutes the child will be logged out. However, the save function can be used at all times, so that the child can pause their application and come back to it whenever they are ready to continue.

The child is mandated to apply for his/her biometric residence permit (BRP). This is a part of their visa application process.

Both the partner and child’s visa application require the primary applicant’s application number which will be obtained when the primary applicant applies for his/her UK visa under the charity work category. This application number is called a Global Web Form (GWF), others know it as a unique application number (UAN). This number can be obtained from correspondence with the home office.

Proof Of Partner And Child Identity

Partners and their child/children will need to prove their identity which is part of the visa application process. To do this, they will either;

• Need to get their biometric residence permit by getting their fingerprints and photographs taken in the nearest visa application centre
• Or scan all identity documents using the UK immigration ID check app. Partners and children will also be required to create or log into their UK visa and immigration accounts

After proof of identity is verified, if more information is needed, this will be communicated to the partner, for him/her and on behalf of their child.

If an appointment is required, then their passports and other processing documents will need to be withheld by the visa application centre till after all physical meetings are concluded for the foreseeable future.

Partners and their children might have to travel a long distance to access the nearest visa application centre. This is usually the case in some countries.

UK Charity Work Visa Processing Time For Partners And Children

As soon as partners and their children are done verifying their identity, properly filling the visa application form, submitting it together with all supporting documents. They should get a decision in 3 weeks from the day their visa application gets handed in.

It is possible to accelerate the time taken to get a decision by taking advantage of the priority visa service. The visa application centre will inform all applicants if they can take advantage of this service or not. Although it is available in most countries.

How To Apply As A Partner And Children Under The Dependent Charity Work Visa Category From Within The UK

It is possible for the primary applicant’s partner and their children to apply for a UK charity visa from within the UK, in this case they will need to apply for a visa extension at the same time the primary applicant is applying for his/hers. This can be done before their current active visa expires.

This is also applicable to children who turned 18 while in the United Kingdom.

Both partners and their children are required to extend their visa by applying online, just like their counterparts who applied from outside the UK.

They will need the primary applicant’s unique application number which can be obtained from correspondence with the home office.

Biometric Capture And Identity Proof For Partners And Children Applying From Within The UK

Partners and their children will need to have their fingerprints and photographs taken at the UK visa and citizenship application services (UKVCAS) service point; this of course is to get a biometric residence permit. In so doing, they will also be proving their identity.

It is also possible to get this done by using the ID check app for UK immigration to scan all identity documents. Existing applicants will need to sign in to their old UK visa and immigration (UKVI) account and new applicants will be mandated to create an account.

Note: All partners and their children must not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Island or the Island of Man while this application is being processed. Their visa applications will be rejected and pulled from the system if applicants from within the UK travel outside the country during this stage of processing.

Processing Time For Partners And Children Applying From Within The UK

As soon as partners and their children are done verifying their identity, properly filling the visa application form, submitting it together with all supporting documents. They should get a decision in 8 weeks from the day their visa application gets handed in.

It is possible to accelerate the time taken to get a decision by taking advantage of the priority visa service. Your visa application centre will inform you if you can take advantage of this service or not. Although it is available in most countries.

Children Born In The UK While Under The UK Charity Work Visa

A child born in the UK while under the UK charity work visa does not get to become a UK citizen automatically. An online application for a dependent visa will have to be filled, submitted and a favorable decision will have to be obtained before a primary applicant, his/her partner and the child can travel in and out of the United Kingdom.

A comprehensive birth certificate for each child born in the UK will have to be provided together with the full names of both parents. Application to add each child to the primary applicant’s visa must be done before children born in the UK turn 18. This of course is if they plan on staying in the UK.

Required Supporting Documents For A UK Charity Work Visa Application

There are supporting documents which are mandatory. These have to be submitted irrespective of whether it’s the primary applicant applying, the partner or their children’s application. Below is a list of documents required to apply for this UK visa;

• The applicant’s UK employer given certificate of sponsorship reference number
• Document or documents that proves the applicant’s identity and nationality such as a passport
• Evidence of financial support that shows the applicant can support his/her upkeep while in the UK such as a bank statement. Unless the UK sponsor has indicated that they plan covering all expenses related to employee upkeep
• Proof of relationship linking the primary applicant to his/her partner and their child/children if applying to travel to the UK with them
• Finally, a tuberculosis (TB) test for primary applicants from countries where such test is mandatory

Extra Document Requirement

It is important that passport provided for your UK visa application must have a blank page for your visa. Also, all supporting documents not in English or welch must be properly translated by a certified translator in such a manner that they are readable to the visa application processing officer.

Additional documents may be requested depending on the prevailing circumstance.

Who Is Classed As A Relative?

A classification exist which shows individuals who are recognized as relatives by the United Kingdom visa and immigration. They are;

• A Civil partner, an unmarried partner, a wife or a husband of the applicant
• A child under the age of 18 – which includes those (child or children) born during the applicant’s stay in the United Kingdom
• The applicant’s child/children over the age of 18 staying in the UK as dependents covered by the applicant’s visa privilege

The applicant will have to provide evidence of his relationship with all dependent relatives if he/she plans to enter the UK with them.

Conditions To Travel With A Partner Under The UK Charity Work Visa

Whether the partner in question is civil or legally married to you, there are conditions that has to be met before he/she can be granted a visa to travel to the UK with the primary applicant. The original beneficiary of the UK charity work visa has to prove that;

• He/she is in a civil partnership or marriage, a type of which is recognized by the laws of the United Kingdom
• The relationship between both parties is at least 2 years old upon application for visa and both have been living together while in a relationship the whole time

Conditions To Travel With Dependent Minors

Just like in the case of the applicant’s partner, there are conditions to be met before the applicant can be granted permission to travel with his child/children under the age of 16. They are;

• Required to be living with the applicant, unless they are full time students living in boarding accommodation in a college or university
• Not supposed to be married, or be in a civil partnership or have children of their own
• The applicant’s sole responsibility-that is they are financially supported by the applicant

In a situation whereby the child/children live with the applicant, a proof of their address in the form of a/an;

• Bank statement
• Credit card bill
• Driving license
• NHS registration document
• Original letter from their college or university

Either one or a combination of a couple of the above documents can be submitted to meet the requirement of proof of address.

Visa Applicant Support Funds Requirement Under The UK Charity Work Visa

As mentioned earlier, an exact balance or one in excess of £1,270 in the applicant’s bank account is a key criterion that must be fulfilled to be eligible for visa under this category. This proves to the government of the United Kingdom that you can support yourself while in the country.

The applicant will have to show that he/she has had the above sum in an account untouched for a period of 28 days. If scheduled to put in a UK charity work visa application, then day 28 of holding this bank account balance should be within a 31 – day period before submission.

Part of the supporting documents requested when submitting this visa application is a proof that these funds have been set aside in an account for the purpose of upkeep in the UK. This is however now required if;

• You have been in the UK for a period of 12 months with a valid visa
• Your employer can cover your living cost for the initial month in which you will arriving the UK for a total amount of £1,270

Partner And Children Support Funds Requirement Under The UK Charity Work Visa

If you are being accompanied by children or/and a partner, they will have to show evidence that they can look after themselves while in the UK. Thus, will be required to show their own proof of funds as well.

Your partner would be mandated to have a balance of at least £285 in a bank account while a child traveling with the applicant should have an account with a balance of £315 and £200 for each additional child. This of course has to have been saved and untouched for a period of 28 days.

This means the applicant will need a combined total of £600 to bring a partner and one child to the United Kingdom or a total of £800 if traveling with a partner and 2 children. This is of course excluding the £1,270 that is mandated of the applicant as account balance to show prove of self-sufficiency.

The applicant’s partner and dependent minor/minors will have to show that they have had the above sum in an account untouched for a period of 28 days. If scheduled to put in a visa application, then day 28 of holding this bank account balance should be within a 31 – day period before submission.

Exceptions That Invalidates The Need To Show Proof Of Funds

The applicant and his/her traveling relatives will be required to show proof that they have enough funds to cover their cost of living while in the United Kingdom. Unless;

• The applicant and his/her relatives have been in the UK for a period of 12 months with a valid visa
• The applicant’s UK sponsor (employer) is going to assume all expenses required by the applicant and his/her family for the first month upon arriving the United Kingdom. This of course needs to be indicated in the applicant’s certificate of sponsorship.

If a UK charity work visa applicant is applying at a different time from his/her partner and child, the dependent relatives will only be required to show proof of funds if they have been in the UK for a period less than a year.

Cost Associated With Securing A UK Charity Work Visa

There are several costs associated with applying for a charity work visa to the UK. For one an application fee of £259, which is the same irrespective of whether you are applying from within or outside the UK. A healthcare premium will have to be taken out which cost an additional £624 per year.

The applicant will also have to show proof that he/she has enough savings to embark on this journey.

Length Of Stay Under The UK Charity Work Visa

The charity work visa grants successful applicants a stay in the UK for a period of up to 12 months. They could also stay in the UK for the period stipulated in their certificate of sponsorship plus a further 14 days.

It is important to note that before the start date of the applicant’s work, he/she can be in the UK for a period of 14 days before work commences.

Eligibility Criteria For The UK Charity Work Visa

To be eligible for this UK visa category, there are certain criteria that applicants must meet before they can apply. It is mandatory to;

• Have a certificate of sponsorship reference number, which is normally received from a UK employer
• Have enough funds to support yourself in the UK. The accepted amount of funds per individual coming to the UK under this visa is £1,270. This can be waived if the applicant has an exemption
• Be 18 years old or older at the time of submitting an application

Certificate of sponsorship

When a UK employer offers an applicant a job under the UK charity work visa, a unique reference number is usually sent to the applicant by email and then by post. This reference number is known as a certificate of sponsorship.

It holds the entire information about the specific job detail for which the applicant will be in charge of while in the UK as well as he/she’s personal information. It must be stressed that this is not a certificate or paper document.

There are other information that must be supplied alongside the certificate of sponsorship. Details such as work hours. Even though this information will be contained in the sponsorship certificate, applicants should also be informed as well.

Your employer has to be recognized by the government of the United Kingdom as being eligible to take part in the charity work program. This is the only criteria upon which they can issue a certificate of sponsorship.

Validity Of Certificate Of Sponsorship

The certificate of sponsorship is valid for only 3 months from the date it is issued to the applicant. After this period, it cannot be used for the visa application process and if the concerned party still wants to proceed with the visa application process, then a new certificate of sponsorship will have to be issued by the UK employer.

Cost Of Living Claimed By A Sponsor

If the applicant’s sponsor is willing to take care of the cost of living and working in the United Kingdom, then the certificate of sponsorship has to carry this fine detail. The UK employer is mandated to fill out the section titled; “sponsor certifies maintenance” on the certificate. This can be found under additional data.

Updates For UK Charity Work Visa Beneficiaries From Certain EU Countries

For UK visa beneficiaries or their family members under this program, but from certain EU countries such as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein who started living in the UK by the 31^st of December 2021, are eligible to apply for the free EU settlement scheme.

Although the deadline to put in an application for the EU settlement scheme was 30 June 2021. It is still possible to apply if;

• The applicant arrived the UK at a later, but has a partner, relative or family member who arrived the UK on or before 31 December 2021.
• The applicant has a solid reason for not handing in an application before the 30 June 2021 deadline. Some valid reasons could be due to a serious illness or a case of domestic abuse in which the applicant was a victim.

The above are the only exceptions to the deadline put in place for the free EU settlement scheme. Applicants from the approved EU countries who missed out on the deadline will need to apply for a visa to work in the United Kingdom.

Individuals from Ireland do not need to apply for a visa or an EU Settlement Scheme

UK Charity Work Visa Processing Time For Applicants Outside The UK

It is feasible to apply for a charity work visa to the United Kingdom up to 3 months before the scheduled date in which your employment in the country begins. The employment start date is usually stated in the applicant’s certificate of sponsorship.

Once an application for this visa category is completed and submitted online, the applicant’s identity (biometric information) has to be proven and the right supporting documents handed in, it usually takes 3 weeks for applicants outside the United Kingdom to get a decision.

Longer Processing Times

If your charity work visa to the UK is currently taking longer than the period stated above, this could depend on the country in which the applicant’s application was made from, as applications from some countries are processed faster than others.

Sometimes visa applications take longer because some sections where omitted, making it difficult to get a straight forward application. It could also be that some supporting document is required to be verified or that you need to take a visa interview. To get more information on this, it’s advisable to check with the visa application centre for your country.

Fast Tracking The UK Charity Work Visa Application Process

Priority Service

When an applicant’s identity has been verified at a UK visa application centre and this service is available in the applicant’s home country or country in which the charity work visa is being submitted from, priority service can be selected at the point of application. Additional fees accrue to this service.

Within a period of 5 working days from when the applicant had his/her appointment at the visa application centre, a decision will be made. This is why a lot of applicants go for the priority service, because it cuts waiting time to a fraction.

Even though the priority service is available in most countries, the applicant will have to check to know if this service is available in the UK application center present in their respective countries.

Super Priority Service

After the applicant’s biometric capture at the visa application center, this service can be selected at the point of application if available in the country in which the applicant is applying from. Super priority service would just have to be selected at this stage, when this is done applicants are normally due for collection the next day.

From when the applicant’s biometric information is collected, the United Kingdom visa and immigration service aims to reach out to applicants applying for a charity work visa under the super priority service after 24 hours to inform them that their passports are ready for collection.

Applicants are required to check with their local visa application centres to see if super priority service is available in the country they are applying from.

Note: If the applicant applied for a priority or super priority visa and the application is taking too long, the applicant will have to wait for the process to come to it natural conclusion. Due to the fact that the application was done under the priority or super priority visa, they are completely put ahead of the pile in the queue of visa applications being processed.

UK Charity Work Visa Processing Exceptions

Those applying from the Gambia or citizens from this country will be subject to additional checks from 15 November 2021, this will make it take longer to get a decision.

Applicants applying for the UK charity work visa through the Banjul visa application centre will be unable to use the priority visa service as it has been suspended. Thus, applications emanating from the Gambia would not be able to take advantage of the priority visa service.

All applications from the Gambia will have to be done the regular way, which entails biometric capture at the visa application center and submission of necessary supporting documents.

What Happens When A Decision Is Made On An Application?

After an applicant’s identity has been verified (biometric capture) and the visa application has been processed, the UK visa and immigration service usually contact applicants when their passports are due for collection.

When A Biometric Resident Permit Becomes Irrelevant

If an applicant’s verification is done through the UK immigration: ID check app and the application was logged in as successful, a biometric resident permit will not be needed. The applicant’s immigration status is automatically entered into the system

What Are The Rules Guiding The Use Of The UK Charity Work Visa

There are certain functions that can be carried out with the UK charity work visa and others that it doesn’t accommodate. It’s usually advisable to embody the dos and do away with the don’t. As don’t could get you penalized, worse deported.

With the UK charity work visa, you are allowed to;

• Enroll to study for some select courses. However, you will need an academic technology approval scheme certificate to do this.
• Abide by the terms of your certificate of sponsorship, by working in the specified job highlighted
• To hold a second job, but it must be in the same sector as your main job and work hours must culminate to 20 hours per week

• Take up a job on the skilled worker shortage occupation list, making sure that you don’t work for more than 20 hours per week
• Travel to the UK with your partner and kids if they are eligible

However, you are not allowed to;

• Get paid for work done.
• Take a permanent job
• Have access to public funds

Conclusion

The UK charity work visa is the easiest way to move to the United Kingdom as an immigrate from any country around the world. It’s a temporary work visa that affords its beneficiaries the opportunity to do voluntary work while in the UK and stay for a period of up to 12 months.

Even though you don’t need any work experience or English proficiency to access this visa, you will need your employer to cover your living cost or have a proof of funds to be granted a visa to the UK under this category.

Under the UK charity work visa, temporary workers can work for up to 20 hours across multiple jobs in the same industry, but will not be paid for their services. However, the experience gained while working on a temporary basis in the UK can be used as a stepping stone to apply for a skilled worker visa.

This visa also offers an opportunity for a primary applicant to move to the United Kingdom with his/her nuclear family. To do this, partner and children all have to fill out separately applications and submit separate supporting documents.

What do you guys think? Is the UK charity work visa the easiest route to the UK for foreigners?