This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the Temporary Worker Visa UK (formerly known as the Tier 5 or T5 visa) in 2026. Whether you're a creative professional, charity volunteer, religious worker, or seasonal agricultural worker, this guide explains the six visa categories, application fees (£319 from July 2025), eligibility requirements, and step-by-step application process. The Temporary Worker visa routes provide structured pathways for overseas nationals seeking short-term employment across specific UK sectors.
Understanding the Temporary Worker Visa UK in 2026
The Temporary Worker Visa UK replaced the former Tier 5 visa system in December 2020 as part of the UK's points-based immigration system. Often still referred to as the "T5 visa" or "Tier 5 visa," this route enables overseas nationals to work in the UK for a limited period across six distinct categories. Unlike the Skilled Worker visa, temporary worker routes do not lead to settlement in the UK, making them suitable for short-term assignments, cultural exchanges, and seasonal work.
What is a Temporary Worker Visa UK?
A Temporary Worker Visa UK (T5 visa) allows overseas nationals to work in the UK for a limited period, typically between 6 and 24 months depending on the category. You need a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed UK sponsor, must meet financial requirements (£1,270), and pay the application fee of £319. This visa does not lead to settlement.
The Temporary Worker visa is fundamentally different from other UK work visas. It is designed exclusively for temporary arrangements and cannot be used to fill permanent positions. All six categories require sponsorship from a Home Office-licensed organisation, and the visa duration is determined by the specific role and certificate of sponsorship rather than applicant preference.
T5 Temporary Worker Visa Categories
The UK Temporary Worker visa is divided into six distinct categories, each serving different sectors and employment types. Understanding which category applies to your situation is essential before applying.
What Type of Work Can You Do on a Temporary Worker Visa?
Each Temporary Worker visa category permits specific types of work: Creative Worker covers artists, entertainers, and sports professionals; Charity Worker is for unpaid voluntary work only; Religious Worker covers non-pastoral religious roles; Government Authorised Exchange covers internships, training, and research; International Agreement covers work under international law; and Seasonal Worker covers horticulture and poultry production.
- Creative Worker: Artists, entertainers, musicians, film crews, and sports professionals for specific events or engagements
- Charity Worker: Unpaid voluntary work for a registered UK charity—no wages permitted
- Religious Worker: Non-pastoral roles within religious communities such as administrative or support work
- Government Authorised Exchange: Work experience, internships, research projects, and professional training programmes
- International Agreement: Work governed by international law, including employees of overseas governments and diplomatic servants
- Seasonal Worker: Agricultural work in horticulture (fruit, vegetables, flowers) or poultry production
Temporary Worker Visa UK Requirements
To qualify for a Temporary Worker visa, you must meet the general eligibility requirements plus any category-specific criteria. The Home Office assesses whether you are a genuine temporary worker with legitimate reasons to enter the UK.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for a Temporary Worker Visa UK?
You need a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed UK sponsor, at least £1,270 in personal savings held for 28 consecutive days (unless your sponsor certifies maintenance), a valid passport, and proof you meet any age requirements for your category. Some categories require applicants to be at least 18 years old.
- Certificate of Sponsorship: A unique reference number from a Home Office-licensed sponsor confirming your job details
- Financial requirement: £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days, or sponsor certification of maintenance
- Valid passport: Must be valid for at least the duration of your intended stay
- TB test: Required if applying from certain countries
- Criminal record certificate: May be required depending on your role and country of residence
Your sponsor must be on the Home Office register of licensed sponsors. You can check whether an organisation holds a valid sponsor licence on the gov.uk register of licensed sponsors. For more information about how sponsorship works, see our guide to UK sponsorship requirements.
Temporary Worker Visa UK Fees 2026
The UK visa fees for Temporary Worker visas are standardised across all categories as of July 2025. In addition to the application fee, most applicants must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.
How Much Does a Temporary Worker Visa UK Cost?
The Temporary Worker visa application fee is £319 for all categories (as of July 2025), whether applying from inside or outside the UK. You must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year for visas exceeding 6 months. For a 12-month visa, the total cost is approximately £1,354 (£319 + £1,035).
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is calculated pro-rata for visa durations that don't align with full years. For a 6-month Seasonal Worker visa, no IHS is required. Priority processing availability varies by location—check with your visa application centre for options.
How to Apply for a Temporary Worker Visa UK
The application process for all Temporary Worker visa categories follows the same general steps. You must apply online through the official gov.uk portal and provide biometric information.
- Step 1: Obtain a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from your licensed UK sponsor
- Step 2: Complete the online visa application form on gov.uk
- Step 3: Pay the application fee (£319) and Immigration Health Surcharge
- Step 4: Book and attend your biometrics appointment
- Step 5: Submit your passport and supporting documents
- Step 6: Wait for decision (typically 3 weeks for standard processing)
How Long Does Temporary Worker Visa Processing Take?
Standard processing for Temporary Worker visa applications takes approximately 3 weeks (15 working days) when applying from outside the UK. In-country extensions may take up to 8 weeks. Priority service (£500 extra) provides a decision within 5 working days, and Super Priority (£1,000 extra) aims for next working day decisions where available.
You can apply up to 3 months before your Certificate of Sponsorship start date. Upon approval, you can enter the UK up to 14 days before your employment start date. For detailed information about UK visa processing times, see our dedicated guide.
Can You Extend or Switch a Temporary Worker Visa?
Extension and switching rules vary significantly by category. Most Temporary Worker visas can be extended up to the maximum duration for that category, provided you still meet the eligibility requirements and have a new Certificate of Sponsorship.
Seasonal Worker visa holders cannot switch to other visa categories from within the UK and must return to their home country to apply for a different visa. Other categories may allow switching to the Skilled Worker route in limited circumstances if you meet the eligibility requirements.
- Application fee is £319 for all categories (from July 2025)
- Six categories: Creative, Charity, Religious, Government Exchange, International Agreement, Seasonal
- Requires a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed UK sponsor
- £1,270 maintenance funds required (28 consecutive days)
- Does not lead to settlement—time does not count towards ILR
For official guidance on all Temporary Worker visa categories, visit the gov.uk work visas page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a T5 visa and a Temporary Worker visa?
They are the same visa. "T5" is shorthand for the Temporary Worker visa routes, which replaced the former "Tier 5" visa system in December 2020. The abbreviation T5 comes from the points-based system naming convention, while "Temporary Worker" is the official category name. All references to T5, Tier 5, and Temporary Worker visa refer to the same immigration routes.
How much does a UK Temporary Worker visa cost in 2026?
The Temporary Worker visa application fee is £319 for all categories from July 2025. In addition, you must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year for visas exceeding 6 months (£776 for under 18s). For a 12-month visa, expect to pay approximately £1,354 total. Priority processing is available for an additional £500 (5 working days) or £1,000 for Super Priority (next working day).
Can I bring my family on a Temporary Worker visa UK?
It depends on your category. Creative Worker, Religious Worker, Government Authorised Exchange, and most International Agreement workers can bring dependants (partners and children) who gain full UK work rights. However, Charity Worker, Seasonal Worker, and Youth Mobility Scheme visa holders cannot bring dependants under any circumstances.
How long can I stay in the UK on a Temporary Worker visa?
Maximum stay durations vary by category: Seasonal Worker up to 6 months, Creative Worker and Charity Worker up to 12 months, and Religious Worker, Government Authorised Exchange, and International Agreement up to 24 months. Your actual visa duration is determined by your Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 or 28 days (depending on category), whichever is shorter.
Can I switch from a Temporary Worker visa to a Skilled Worker visa?
Some Temporary Worker categories allow switching to the Skilled Worker visa from within the UK if you meet all eligibility requirements, including having a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed Skilled Worker sponsor. However, Seasonal Worker visa holders cannot switch to any other visa category from within the UK and must return home to apply for a different route.
Does time on a Temporary Worker visa count towards settlement?
No. Time spent on any Temporary Worker visa category does not count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). These visas are designed exclusively for temporary stays and do not provide a pathway to permanent settlement. If you wish to settle in the UK, you must switch to an eligible route such as the Skilled Worker visa and complete the required qualifying period on that route.
What happens if I hold a Charity or Religious Worker visa from the last year?
You cannot apply for a new Charity Worker or Religious Worker visa if you held either of these visas in the last 12 months, unless you can prove you were outside the UK for the entire cooling-off period. This rule prevents continuous use of these temporary routes. You would need to wait 12 months from when your previous visa ended before becoming eligible again.
How long does it take to get a Temporary Worker visa UK?
Standard processing for overseas applications takes approximately 3 weeks (15 working days). In-country extensions may take up to 8 weeks. You can pay for faster processing where available: Priority Service (£500) aims for a decision within 5 working days, and Super Priority (£1,000) aims for next working day decisions. Availability varies by location, so check with your visa application centre.