How to apply for UK Tier 5 Temporary Worker Visa

You can work in the United Kingdom with a Tier 5 Temporary Worker Visa if you are a creative researcher, sportsperson, or even a charity or religious worker. Tier 5 Temporary Worker Visa provides working rights to these sets of people with attractive pay.

Moreover, this Tier 5 temporary work visa which is meant for people who want to come to the UK for a short time, has about six different types. Among the types of this visa includes youth mobility scheme, creative and sporting, charity, and religious worker.

However, this visa permits you to do a second job in the same sector and at the same level as your main job for up to 20 hours per week. Interestingly, you can also bring over your family members to live in the United Kingdom within the space of your job duration.

Furthermore, when you apply for this visa, you will get an answer on your UK Temporary Worker Visa application within three weeks of applying. So the wait time is a little.

Therefore, this article will explain more about the meaning of a Tier 5 Temporary Worker Visa, the eligibility criteria, how to apply, the cost of applying, and other necessary information.

Meaning of Tier 5 Temporary Worker Visa

A Tier 5 visa is a temporary work visa is an employment visa for those who want to come to the United Kingdom for a short-term job. This visa provides working rights to researchers, creative, and sports persons. It also provides an opportunity for charity and religious workers to live in the UK for a temporary period while they work.

Types of United Kingdom Tier 5 Temporary Worker Visa

One can do different types of Tier 5 Temporary Worker Visa in the United Kingdom. If you wish to apply for this visa, you must apply for one of the visa types that fall under the Tier 5 Visa. The definition of temporary work you will do under a Tier 5 visa depends on the visa type you applied for. Therefore, you should first choose a visa type from the list below.

Charity Worker visa

This is a UK Temporary Work Visa for those who wish to do unpaid voluntary work for a charity.

Creative and Sporting visa

You can apply for this visa if you have a work offer in the UK as a sportsperson or creative worker.

Government Authorized Exchange visa

You should apply for this visa if you want to come to the UK for short-term work experience or to do training. Also, for an Overseas Government Language Program, research, or a fellowship through an approved government-authorized exchange scheme.

International Agreement visa

If you have been contracted to work for a foreign government, as a private servant in a diplomatic household, or other work covered by international law while in the UK, you should apply for this visa.

Religious Worker visa

Apply for this visa if you want to work in the UK as a religious preacher, in a religious order, or other work related to religion.

Seasonal Worker Visa

This visa is for those who wish to do farm work in the UK for up to 6 months.

People that can Apply for a Tier 5 Temporary Worker Visa

Any person who is due to apply for Tier 5 Temporary Worker Visa must fulfill the requirements below.

• You must be a non-EEA and non-Swiss national.
• Moreover, you need to get a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed employer.
• You should prove to the British authorities that you have £945 in your bank account, which has been there for at least three months before the date of your application.

Note: You will only be exempt from this requirement if your sponsor is fully approved (‘A-rated‘) and will cover your accommodation and food for your first month in the UK.

Application procedures for Tier 5 Temporary Worker Visa

#1. Complete online form

You must complete the online application form to apply for a UK Temporary Worker visa. The form is available on the UK government’s website.

#2. Give personal information

You will need to answer questions related to you, such as name & surname, date & place of birth, etc. In addition, there are questions related to your previous trips to the UK or elsewhere. You will also need to explain why you are applying for this visa.

#3. Pay for the visa application fee

Then you will need to pay the visa fee and the health surcharge. However, you are exempt from paying a health surcharge if you apply for a UK Seasonal Worker Visa.

#4. Go for biometric capturing

Lastly, you will need to find the UK embassy or UK Visa Application Center in your country to have your fingertips and photograph captured as a part of your application process.

Time to apply for Tier 5 Temporary Worker Visa

It is always good to start your Tier 5 Temporary Worker Visa application early. The best time you can start your UK Temporary Work visa application process is three months before the date you are scheduled to start working. Moreover, this date is indicated in your certificate of sponsorship.

Documents Required for a UK Tier 5 Temporary Worker Visa

These are some specific required documents you must submit when applying for the UK Temporary Worker Visa. They are:

• Valid passport.
• Bank statements show you have continuously had at least £945 in savings for 90 days before applying.
• Your tuberculosis (TB) test results.
• A certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.
• For a Creative and Sporting visa: a letter of endorsement from your sport’s governing body if you apply as a sportsperson or coach.

Note: there could be additional documents you may be asked to submit. But it is dependent on your nationality, the visa type you are applying for, and your current situation.

Application fee for UK Temporary Worker Visa

For the processing of your UK Tier 5 Temporary Worker Visa, you need to pay a fee of a certain amount. Therefore, the amount for the UK Temporary Worker Visa Fee is £189 for citizens of Turkey and North Macedonia and £244 for the rest of the world’s citizens.

Moreover, if you are planning to bring family members with you, you will need to pay an extra £244 for each member.

Things to do with Tier 5 UK Temporary Worker Visa

There are certain things that you can, and you cannot do with the UK Temporary Worker Visa. For example, if you come to the UK with any of the visa types, except for the Seasonal Worker Visa, you can do the following:

• Study, as long as the studies do not interfere with your work. Note that Seasonal Workers Visa can also study in the UK.
• Do a second job for up to 20 hours per week, that is:
• In the same sector at the same level as your primary job.
• On the Tier 2 shortage occupation list.
• Bring family members with you (spouse, children under 18, and children over 18 who are in the UK as your dependents.

Nevertheless, you cannot get public funds, get a permanent job or start your own business with a Tier 5 Temporary Worker Visa.

FAQs

How long can I stay in the UK on a Tier 5 visa?

How long can you stay? You can stay in the UK for up to 12 or 24 months (depending on the scheme you are applying for) or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter. You can enter the UK up to 14 days before the start date of your job.

Can I switch from Tier 5 to a Skilled Worker visa?

Under the new Skilled Worker route in the new Points Based System, which will come into effect on 1 December 2020 at 9 am, Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) Migrants can switch to the Skilled Worker route. This is a welcome change to the Immigration Rules.

How much does a Tier 5 UK visa cost?

The UK Temporary Worker Visa Fee is £189 for citizens of Turkey and North Macedonia and £244 for the rest of the world’s citizens. If you are planning to bring family members, you will need to pay an extra £244 for each.

Does Tier 5 visa count towards ILR?

A Tier 5 visa cannot provide a route to indefinite leave unless it is part of the ten-year continuous lawful residence route to indefinite leave to remain.

What is a temporary work visa in the UK?

The Temporary Worker Visa is a permit designed for those who wish to travel and work in the UK in a number of specific circumstances and only for a limited period (up to 12 months). International workers need a job offer from a licensed UK sponsor before they can submit their Temporary Worker Visa application.

What is the difference between Tier 2 and Tier 5 visas?

Tier 2 workers are skilled individuals traveling to take long-term positions in the UK or to complete a fixed-term contract (perhaps having transferred from a related company overseas). Tier 5 workers are generally less experienced (sometimes even voluntary) staff, and their time in the UK is often limited.

Can a Tier 5 visa be extended?

You’ll unlikely have to leave if your visa lasts less than 60 days. You can apply to extend your visa for up to 2 years at a time up to a total maximum stay of 6 years.

Can I change from Tier 5 to Tier 2?

You can only switch from a Tier 5 visa to a general work visa under Tier 2 if you are already in the UK under certain categories of visa, for example, one of the other specific Tier 2 categories. This does not include those currently in the UK under a Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visa.

How do you get Tier 5 Sponsorship?

Before applying for a Tier 5 visa, you will first need a genuine job offer and a valid certificate of sponsorship issued by a suitably licensed sponsor in the UK.

What is the UK Temporary Worker Visa Processing time?

You will get an answer on your UK Temporary Worker Visa application within three weeks of applying.

What is the UK Tier 5 Temporary Worker Visa Validity?

All UK Temporary Worker Visas are valid for a maximum of two years except for the Seasonal Worker Visa, which is valid for a maximum of 6 months.

Conclusion

The United Kingdom Tier 5 Temporary Worker Visa is relatively easy to get and holds attractive benefits despite being a temporary visa. However, there are other UK visas you can get. Visas like: UK Global Talent Visa, UK Tier 2 General Visa, UK Intra-Company Transfer Visa, and many others. Always contact us at workstudyvisa.com for more information.