Temporary Work visas — previously known as Tier 5 visas — allow foreign nationals to work in the UK for a limited period, typically up to 12 months, though some categories permit longer stays. Several distinct routes fall under this umbrella, each covering a different type of short-term work. Depending on the route, holders may also be able to study, bring dependants, extend their stay, or switch to a longer-term visa such as the Skilled Worker or Family visa.
Types of Temporary Work Visa
There are several categories within the Temporary Work visa family:
- Charity Worker visa
- Creative Worker visa
- Government Authorised Exchange visa
- International Agreement visa
- Religious Worker visa
- Seasonal Worker visa
- Youth Mobility Scheme visa
- Graduate visa
Charity Worker visa. For those coming to the UK to carry out unpaid voluntary work with a charity. Applicants need a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed UK charity and can stay for up to 12 months.
Creative Worker visa. For those coming to work in the UK's creative sector — including performers, actors, dancers, musicians, and film crew. This route replaced the former Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting (T5) visa. It requires a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed UK employer, and permits a stay of 12 months, extendable by a further 12 months with the same employer.
Government Authorised Exchange visa. For short-term work experience, training, an Overseas Government Language Programme, research, or a fellowship under an approved exchange scheme. This route replaced the former Temporary Worker – Government Authorised Exchange (T5) visa. Those coming for research, a language programme, or training can stay for up to 24 months; those coming purely for work experience are limited to 12 months.
International Agreement visa. For contract work covered by international law or treaty — for example, working for a foreign government, as a private servant in a diplomatic household, or as a contractual service supplier or independent professional. Stay lengths vary by category: up to 24 months for those working for a foreign government or in a diplomatic household; up to 6 months in any 12-month period for those providing contracted services; up to 12 months under the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement; and up to 12 months in any 24-month period under the UK–Switzerland services mobility agreement.
Religious Worker visa. For non-pastoral religious work or work within a religious order, permitting a stay of up to 24 months.
Seasonal Worker visa. For those working in edible horticulture in the UK, such as fruit and vegetable picking, permitting a stay of up to 6 months.
Youth Mobility Scheme visa. For young people from Australia, Canada, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, Iceland, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, as well as British Overseas citizens, British Overseas Territories citizens, and British Nationals (Overseas). Applicants must be aged 18 to 30 and can live and work in the UK for up to 2 years.
Graduate visa. For international students who have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in the UK, permitting a stay of up to 2 years — often used as a bridge into permanent full-time employment.
Sponsorship Requirements
Sponsorship is required for the following routes:
- Charity Worker visa
- Creative Worker visa
- Government Authorised Exchange visa
- International Agreement visa
- Religious Worker visa
- Seasonal Worker visa
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility criteria vary by visa type:
Charity Worker visa. Requires a Certificate of Sponsorship from a registered charity.
Creative Worker visa. Applicants must make a distinctive contribution to the UK's creative labour market — for example, being internationally recognised or essential for continuity — and be paid at least the minimum rate set by Equity, PACT, or BECTU (this pay threshold doesn't apply to models, musicians, or circus performers).
Government Authorised Exchange visa. Applicants must be coming to the UK for work experience, training, an Overseas Government Language Programme, or research or a fellowship through an approved exchange scheme.
International Agreement visa. Applicants must be 18 or over, and their work must fall under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), a similar UK international agreement, employment by an overseas government or international organisation, or work as a private servant in a diplomatic or international organisation household.
Religious Worker visa. Applicants must be 18 or over and undertaking non-pastoral religious work or work within a religious order.
Seasonal Worker visa. Applicants must be sponsored to work in edible horticulture for up to 6 months.
Youth Mobility Scheme visa. Applicants must hold £2,530 in savings, be a national of an eligible country (or hold British Overseas citizen, British Overseas Territories citizen, or British National (Overseas) status), and must not have children under 18 living with them or financially dependent on them, and must not have previously used this scheme.
Graduate visa. Applicants must be in the UK, hold a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) visa, have completed a UK bachelor's, postgraduate, or other eligible course for the required minimum duration, and have confirmation from their university that the course was successfully completed.
Migratia's specialist solicitors can confirm eligibility and the specific requirements for any of these routes.
Required Documents
Requirements vary by visa type and individual circumstances, but most applicants should expect to provide:
- Their Certificate of Sponsorship reference number (from their employer or sponsor)
- A passport or other document confirming identity and nationality
- Evidence of sufficient savings (typically £1,270), usually via recent bank statements — alternatively, a sponsor can confirm on the CoS that they will cover costs
- Proof of relationship with a partner or children, where applying together (e.g., a birth, marriage, or civil partnership certificate)
- Negative tuberculosis (TB) test results, for nationals of certain countries
Additional visa-specific documents may include:
- Government Authorised Exchange visa / International Agreement visa: a valid ATAS certificate, where the sponsor confirms the role involves sensitive research at PhD level or above
- Youth Mobility Scheme visa: a recent bank statement confirming £2,530 in savings
- Graduate visa: the applicant's current biometric residence permit (if issued with their Student visa) and their Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number
Migratia notes that incomplete documentation is one of the most common reasons Temporary Work visa applications are refused, and can review prepared evidence against Home Office requirements before submission.
How to Apply
In most cases, a new Temporary Worker visa can only be applied for from outside the UK, though some routes allow switching from within the UK — the Graduate visa, for instance, is applied for in-country since applicants are already studying there. It's worth confirming the specific rules for the chosen route.
The general application steps are:
- Complete the relevant online application form (the Graduate visa uses a separate form from the other Temporary Worker routes)
- Pay the application fee
- Pay the healthcare surcharge, if applicable
- Upload the required supporting documents
- Book a biometric appointment at the nearest visa application centre
- Attend the biometric appointment
- Await a decision, which will be communicated by letter or email
- If successful, the applicant's passport (with the visa) is returned, allowing travel to the UK
Application Fees
| Visa type | Application fee | Healthcare surcharge |
|---|---|---|
| Charity Worker visa | £319 | £1,035 per year (not payable for seasonal workers) |
| Creative Worker / Government Authorised Exchange / International Agreement / Religious Worker / Seasonal Worker / Youth Mobility Scheme visa | £319 | £776 per year |
| Graduate visa | £880 | £1,035 per year |
Processing Times
Decisions are typically issued within 3 weeks for applications made outside the UK, or 8 weeks for applications made inside the UK. Priority services may also be available: a 5-working-day decision for £500, or a next-working-day decision for £1,000, though eligibility for these services is confirmed at the point of application.
Visa Conditions
| Visa type | Permitted | Not permitted |
|---|---|---|
| Charity Worker visa | Study; work for sponsor; a second job up to 20 hours/week; bring dependants | Claim public funds; start a business |
| Creative Worker visa | Study; work for sponsor; a second job in the same sector/level up to 20 hours/week; a shortage occupation role up to 20 hours/week; bring dependants | Receive unauthorised payment for work; take a permanent role |
| Government Authorised Exchange visa | Study; work for sponsor; a second job up to 20 hours/week; a shortage occupation role up to 20 hours/week; switch to a Global Talent visa | Bring dependants; receive unauthorised payment for work; claim public funds |
| International Agreement visa | Study; work for sponsor; a shortage occupation role up to 20 hours/week | Bring dependants; claim public funds; start work before the visa is granted |
| Religious Worker visa | Study; work for sponsor; a second job in the same sector/level up to 20 hours/week; a shortage occupation role up to 20 hours/week | Bring dependants; claim public funds |
| Seasonal Worker visa | Work in the role stated on the application; study | Hold a permanent job; work a second job not on the CoS; claim public funds; bring family |
| Youth Mobility Scheme visa | Study; work in most jobs; be self-employed (with conditions); work as a professional sportsperson | Extend beyond the scheme period; claim public funds; include family members on the same application (they may apply separately) |
| Graduate visa | Work in most roles, including voluntary work; look for work; be self-employed; live in the UK with a partner and children; travel abroad and return | Claim public funds; work as a professional sportsperson |
Switching to a Long-Term Visa
Depending on the route, it may be possible to switch to a longer-term visa from within the UK, without needing to leave and reapply from abroad. Common options include:
- The Skilled Worker visa (not available to seasonal workers or domestic workers in a private household)
- A Family visa, such as a Spouse or Fiancé(e) visa
Switching requires meeting the full eligibility criteria for the new route, and Migratia can advise on the most suitable long-term option based on individual circumstances.