The UK has a lot of immigration routes to reside and work and if you wish to carry out charitable services, the charity work visa is perfect for you. It enables you to seek temporary voluntary career opportunities.

Working as an overseas charity worker in the UK can have tremendous benefits including gaining valuable experiences. Secondly, you can master the language and culture of the United Kingdom. This can make you a valuable candidate if you apply for jobs anywhere in the world.

A mandatory requirement before applying for a UK charity work visa is to have an employer who will serve as your sponsor, supporting you throughout the application process.

 

Types of Charity Work Visas in the UK

Here are the important kinds of charity work visas available in the UK:

 

Charity Worker visa

The Charity Worker Visa is a type of the UK Temporary Worker Visa. This is designed for people who intend to undertake unpaid voluntary work during their time in the UK. It is a successor to the Tier 5 Charity Worker Visa.

The Charity Worker Visa enables you to reside in the UK for at least a year, or throughout the period specified on your Certificate of Sponsorship with an additional 14 days.

For anyone who wishes to undertake employment in the UK for a period longer than this or to do paid work during your time in the UK, this visa isn’t for you.

While on a UK Charity Worker Visa, you can only undertake unpaid charity work for your sponsor. Furthermore, you are permitted to study and have a second job, but ensure that it has to be in the charity sector.

Note that this visa does not allow you to get a salary for any work you undertake in the UK or get hired for a permanent job.

 

Eligibility

There are many other eligibilities for this visa; you have to:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Possess a certificate of sponsorship from a voluntary or charitable organisation with a valid UK Sponsor Licence
• To be capable of supporting yourself while in the UK, you need to show proof of funds with £1,270 of personal savings in your bank account.

 

Youth Mobility Scheme visa

The Youth Mobility Scheme UK visa (a successor to the Tier 5 Youth Mobility visa) is for citizens of eligible countries (Australia, Canada, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, Iceland, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan) between eighteen and thirty years who intend to reside and work in the UK.

Compared to other types of visa, its application process is quite seamless, and the holders of the Youth Mobility Scheme visa can reside in the UK for a minimum of 2 years.

This allows you to stay and volunteer in the UK, and even submit an application for a different kind of visa like a student visa or skilled worker visa.

 

Eligibility

To be eligible for this visa. You need to be:

• a minimum of 18 and 30 years.
• a citizen of an eligible country
• own a minimum of £2,530 in your bank account to fund your stay while in the UK.
• do not have kids below the age of 18 residing with you or for whom you provide monetary support.
• have not held the youth mobility scheme visa before.
• have a clean tuberculosis test
• made a payment of the application fee of £244
• provide receipt of the healthcare surcharge of £776.
• non-threatening to the UK

 

Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visa

Temporary work visas (a successor to Tier 5 visas) let overseas workers reside and undertake employment in the UK for a limited time frame of one year (or more). There are different kinds of UK Temporary Work Visa, as explored below.

With a UK Temporary Work Visa, you would be allowed to undertake employment work, engage in academic activities, and possibly, bring your dependant family members along with you. There is also a possibility of visa extension or changing to a different kind after arriving in the UK, like a Skilled Worker visa or family visa.

 

There are two categories of Tier 5 Temporary Worker visa:

 

Charity Worker visa

The Charity Worker Visa allows foreign nationals who wish to come to the UK to do unpaid voluntary work with a charitable organisation. Applicants need a Certificate of Sponsorship from a charity in the UK with a sponsor licence. Successful applicants can stay in the UK for 12 months.

 

Government Authorised Exchange visa

The Government Authorised Exchange Visa is designed for overseas nationals who intend to come to the UK to undertake work for a short duration, either for work experience, training, an Overseas Government Language Programme, research, or to participate in a fellowship through a licensed government-authorised exchange scheme. You can use this immigration route if you are interested in charity work.

 

Religious Worker Visa

The Religious Worker Visa is designed for overseas nationals who plan to participate in religious activities in a non-pastoral job or religious order. Holders of this visa are allowed to stay in the UK for a maximum of two years.

 

Eligibility Requirements for Temporary Worker Visa

The eligibility rules differ based on the kind of visa you want to apply for. Here are the eligibility requirements that are applicable to all categories of temporary work visas:

• Charity Worker visa
  • you need to possess a Certificate of Sponsorship from a registered charitable company.

• Government Authorised Exchange visa
  • you have to be travelling to the UK for:
    • Work Experience
    • Training
    • A Government Language Programme, or
    • Research or a fellowship via a licensed government-authorised exchange scheme.

 

• Religious Worker visa
  • aged 18 years or above during the application.
  • engaged in religious work in a non-pastoral role or religious order

 

UK Charity Work Visa Sponsorship Companies 

 

Restoration Revival Fellowship

Restoration Revival Fellowship (RRF) is a global ministry with branches situated in India, Africa and the UK. It has branches in the UK, which are currently in London (Head Quarters), Harrow Middlesex, Luton & Bedford. Restoration Revival Fellowship (Fellowship House). It was founded in Luton in 1978.

Site: https://www.rrfluton.org.uk/

 

Take Me To Church

Take Me To Church is an initiative established by the RCCG Redemption Light Parish in collaboration with the wider Christian community to help people build a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Their goal is to empower and build individuals in their communities, imbibing the traits of Faith, Hope and Love

Site: https://www.rccgrlp.org.uk

 

Council for World Mission

The Council for World Mission is an international collaboration of Christian churches. They have over 30 members with the goal of distributing their resources of funds, people, skills and data across the world to undertake God’s mission locally.

CWM was established in 1977 and was formed by the London Missionary Society (1795), the Commonwealth Missionary Society (1836) and the (English) Presbyterian Board of Missions (1847).

Site: https://www.cwmission.org/getinvolved/

 

Positive Support Group

Positive Support Group has a rich track record of enriching the lives of kids, young people and adults with learning disabilities, autism and psychological challenges.

Site: https://positivesupportgroup.com/careers

 

Refugee, Asylum Seeker & Migrant Action

They are a charity organisation that assists refugees, asylum seekers and people with no access to public funds.

RAMA provides absolute help to individuals and families in need. They empower newcomers to address the problems of relocating to a new city, especially tackling inequalities they encounter in accessing services.

Site: https://rama.org.uk/volunteer/

 

Zest

Zest is a licensed voluntary organisation for adults with a variety of learning challenges and autistic spectrum issues. They offer a variety of high-quality care, resources and learning services to cater to the needs of autistic individuals of all ages, and their families and carers

Site: https://zest-rtl.com/activities/

 

For more companies, visit https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/671f6f52a85de589558d5d97/2024-10-28_-_Worker_and_Temporary_Worker.csv/preview