This comprehensive Charity Worker Visa UK guidance covers everything you need to know about volunteering for a registered UK charity in 2026. Formerly known as the T5 Charity Worker Visa or Tier 5 Charity Worker route, this visa allows international volunteers to undertake unpaid voluntary work for up to 12 months. Unlike a general "volunteer visa UK," this route requires sponsorship from a licensed charity and is strictly for unpaid roles that directly support charitable objectives—not administrative work, fundraising, or paid employment.
Understanding the Charity Worker Visa UK in 2026
The Charity Worker Visa UK is part of the Temporary Worker visa framework, specifically designed for individuals who want to contribute to UK-registered charities through unpaid voluntary work. This visa category recognises that charitable organisations often rely on international volunteers to deliver essential services, from community outreach programmes to humanitarian aid projects.
The key distinction of this visa is that it is exclusively for unpaid work. You cannot receive a salary or wages—only reimbursement for reasonable expenses such as travel, accommodation, or meals incurred while volunteering. If you're seeking paid employment with a charity, you would need to explore the Skilled Worker visa route instead.
What is a Charity Worker Visa UK?
The Charity Worker Visa UK (formerly T5 Charity Worker or Tier 5 Charity Worker) allows international volunteers to work unpaid for a UK-registered charity for up to 12 months. You must be sponsored by an A-rated Home Office licensed charity and demonstrate £1,270 in maintenance funds.
What Type of Work Qualifies as Charity Work?
Your voluntary role must directly contribute to the charity's charitable objectives. The Home Office specifically excludes certain activities from qualifying as genuine charity work under this visa:
- Permitted: Direct delivery of charitable services (healthcare, education, community support)
- Permitted: Project work aligned with the charity's registered objectives
- Permitted: Humanitarian or relief work coordinated by the charity
- NOT Permitted: Routine administrative or clerical duties
- NOT Permitted: Fundraising activities
- NOT Permitted: Retail work (even in charity shops)
- NOT Permitted: Any role that would normally be filled by a paid employee
Charity Worker Visa UK Requirements
To qualify for a Charity Worker Visa UK, you must meet specific eligibility criteria set out in the Immigration Rules. The Home Office assesses whether your voluntary arrangement is genuine and whether the sponsoring charity holds a valid licence.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
You must be 18 or over, have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from an A-rated licensed charity, prove £1,270 in personal savings held for 28 consecutive days, and not have held a Charity Worker or Religious Worker visa in the previous 12 months (unless you were outside the UK for that entire period).
The full eligibility requirements include:
Can I Bring My Family on a Charity Worker Visa UK?
Yes, your partner (spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner of 2+ years) and children under 18 can apply as dependants. Each dependant must apply separately and pay their own application fee (£319) plus Immigration Health Surcharge. You must also show additional maintenance funds for each dependant.
The additional financial requirements for dependants are:
- Partner: £285 additional maintenance
- First child: £315 additional maintenance
- Each additional child: £200 additional maintenance
Alternatively, if your sponsoring charity has A-rated status, they may certify maintenance for your entire family on your Certificate of Sponsorship, removing the need to show these funds personally.
Charity Worker Visa UK Fees 2026
The visa fees for the Charity Worker Visa UK include the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge. These fees apply to both the main applicant and each dependant applying.
How Much Does a Charity Worker Visa UK Cost?
The Charity Worker Visa UK costs £319 per person for the application fee, plus £1,035 for the Immigration Health Surcharge (for a 12-month stay). The total minimum cost is approximately £1,354 per adult applicant. Dependants pay the same fees separately.
Applicants from certain countries may receive a £55 reduction in the application fee. These include EU/EEA countries, Switzerland, Turkey, and North Macedonia. Check the official gov.uk guidance for the current list.
How to Apply for a Charity Worker Visa UK
The application process for a Charity Worker Visa UK is completed entirely online through the official gov.uk portal. You can apply up to 3 months before your intended start date with the charity, and the start date must be specified on your Certificate of Sponsorship.
- Step 1: Obtain your Certificate of Sponsorship from the licensed charity
- Step 2: Complete the online visa application form on gov.uk
- Step 3: Pay the application fee (£319) and IHS (£1,035)
- Step 4: Prove your identity (app or visa application centre)
- Step 5: Submit supporting documents (bank statements, TB test if required)
- Step 6: Wait for decision (typically 3 weeks standard processing)
How Long Does Processing Take?
The standard visa processing time is approximately 3 weeks when applying from outside the UK. If you need a faster decision, priority services are available in many countries. Applications made from within the UK (to extend with the same employer) may take up to 8 weeks.
How Long Can You Stay on a Charity Worker Visa UK?
The Charity Worker Visa allows you to stay for the duration specified on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days, up to a maximum of 12 months. You can extend your visa to continue working for the same charity, but your total time on this route cannot exceed 12 months. After reaching the 12-month limit, you must leave the UK and wait 12 months before reapplying.
- Application fee is £319 plus £1,035 IHS for a 12-month stay
- You must show £1,270 in maintenance funds (held for 28 days)
- Maximum stay is 12 months—cannot be extended beyond this
- 12-month cooling-off period applies after your visa ends
- Dependants (partner and children) can apply but pay separate fees
For official guidance and to start your application, visit the gov.uk Charity Worker visa page. If your application is refused, see our guide on UK visa refusal reasons for next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Charity Worker Visa and a volunteer visa UK?
The Charity Worker Visa is the official UK visa for unpaid voluntary work with registered charities. There is no separate "volunteer visa UK"—if you want to volunteer for a charity for more than 30 days, you need the Charity Worker Visa. For very short volunteering (under 30 days), you may be able to volunteer on a Standard Visitor visa, but this is limited and must not be the main purpose of your visit.
How much does a Charity Worker Visa UK cost in 2026?
The Charity Worker Visa costs £319 for the application fee plus £1,035 for the Immigration Health Surcharge (for a 12-month stay), totalling approximately £1,354 per adult. Children under 18 pay £776 IHS. Priority processing adds £500 (5 working days) or £1,000 for Super Priority (next working day). Each dependant pays the full application fee and IHS separately.
Can I get paid on a Charity Worker Visa UK?
No, you cannot receive a salary or wages on a Charity Worker Visa. The visa is strictly for unpaid voluntary work. However, the charity can reimburse you for reasonable expenses incurred while volunteering, such as travel costs, accommodation, or meals. If you want paid employment with a charity, you would need a different visa such as the Skilled Worker visa.
How long can I stay in the UK on a Charity Worker Visa?
You can stay for the duration on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days, up to a maximum of 12 months. While you can extend to continue with the same charity, your total time on this visa route cannot exceed 12 months. After reaching this limit, you must leave the UK and wait 12 months before you can reapply for another Charity Worker Visa.
Can I bring my family on a Charity Worker Visa UK?
Yes, your partner (spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner of 2+ years) and children under 18 can apply as dependants. Each family member must submit a separate application and pay the £319 application fee plus IHS. You must also demonstrate additional maintenance funds: £285 for your partner, £315 for your first child, and £200 for each additional child.
What is the maintenance requirement for a Charity Worker Visa UK?
You must show at least £1,270 in your bank account, held for 28 consecutive days with day 28 falling within 31 days of your application date. If bringing dependants, you need additional funds: £285 for your partner, £315 for your first child, and £200 for each additional child. Alternatively, your A-rated sponsoring charity can certify maintenance on your CoS.
Can I switch from a Charity Worker Visa to another visa type?
Switching from a Charity Worker Visa to most other visa categories is generally not permitted while you are in the UK. You would typically need to leave and apply from outside the UK for routes like the Skilled Worker visa. Limited exceptions may exist for specific circumstances. The Charity Worker Visa does not lead to settlement, and time spent on it does not count toward permanent residency.
What happens if I previously held a Charity Worker Visa?
If you held a Charity Worker Visa or Religious Worker Visa within the previous 12 months, you cannot apply for another Charity Worker Visa unless you can prove you were outside the UK for that entire 12-month period. This "cooling-off" rule prevents continuous use of temporary worker routes and ensures the visa is used for genuine short-term volunteering opportunities.