Temporary work visas  

1. Seasonal Worker visa (Temporary Work)

Overview 

You can apply for a Seasonal Worker visa to come to the UK and work in:

• horticulture for up to 6 months – for example, picking fruit and vegetables or flowers

• poultry from 2 October to 31 December, in the same year

You need to apply for poultry Seasonal Worker visas by 15 November each year.

You can apply for horticulture Seasonal Worker visas at any time of year.

You’ll need to:

• have a sponsor

• meet the other eligibility requirements

This visa has replaced the Temporary Worker – Seasonal Worker visa (T5).

How long it takes

You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.

2 . Government Authorized Exchange visa (Temporary Work)

Overview

You can apply for a Temporary Work – Government Authorized Exchange visa if you:

• want to come to the UK for a short time for work experience or to do training, an Overseas Government Language Programmed, research or a fellowship through an approved government authorised exchange scheme

• have a sponsor

• meet the other eligibility requirements

• This visa has replaced the Temporary Worker – Government Authorised Exchange visa (T5).

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Sponsorship

• You need to have a reference number from a licensed sponsor before you can apply to come to the UK to work. 

• Your sponsor will give you a reference number before you apply. You can apply with either:

• the reference number on your certificate of sponsorship – this is an electronic document that confirms your job and personal details

• your sponsorship reference number

• Your work, training or research in the UK must relate to the work of your sponsor organisation.

• Your sponsor can be any of the following:

• an organisation running an approved exchange scheme

• a higher education institution (if you are a sponsored researcher, visiting academic or examiner)

• a government department or agency

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How long it takes

• You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK.

• As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

• You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

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Getting a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:

• 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK

• 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK

• You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

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  3. Creative Worker visa (Temporary Work)

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Overview

You must apply for a Temporary Work – Creative Worker visa if:

• you’ve been offered work in the UK as a creative worker

• you meet the other eligibility requirements

A creative worker is someone who works in the creative industries, for example an actor, dancer, musician or film crew member.

This visa has replaced the Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting visa (T5). If you’re a sportsperson, you can work in the UK with the International Sportsperson visa.

Sponsorship
You need to have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed sponsor before you can apply to come to the UK to work.

The work you do in the UK must relate to the work of your sponsor organization.

How long it takes

You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:

• 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK

• 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

4. Religious Worker visa (Temporary Work)

Overview

You can apply for a Temporary Work – Religious Worker visa if:

• you want to do religious work in a non-pastoral role or religious order

• you meet the other eligibility requirements

This visa has replaced the T5 (Temporary Worker) Religious Worker visa.

Sponsorship

You must have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed sponsor before you can apply to come to the UK to work.

The work you do in the UK must relate to your sponsor organisation’s work.

How long it takes

You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:

• 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK

• 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

  5.Charity Worker visa (Temporary Work)

Overview

You can apply for a Temporary Work – Charity Worker visa if:

• you want to do unpaid voluntary work for a charity

• you meet the other eligibility requirements

This visa has replaced the Temporary Worker – Charity Worker visa (T5).

Sponsorship

You must have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed employer before you can apply to come to the UK to work.

The work you do in the UK must relate to the work of your sponsor organisation.

How long it takes

You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:

• 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK

• 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

5 International Agreement visa (Temporary Work)

Overview

You can apply for a Temporary Work – International Agreement visa if you’ll be contracted to do work covered by international law or treaty while in the UK. This includes working:

• for an overseas government or ‘recognised international organisation’

• as a private servant in a diplomatic household

Check the eligibility requirements.

This visa has replaced the Temporary Worker – International Agreement Worker visa (T5).

If you are being contracted to provide services to a UK company, apply for a Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility) instead.

Sponsorship

You need to be sponsored (have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed employer) before you can apply to come to the UK.

The work you do in the UK must relate to the work of your sponsor organisation.

How long it takes

You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:

• 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK

• 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.