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International Agreement Visa (Temporary Work Visa)
The International Agreement Visa (Temporary Work Visa), previously known as the Tier 5 visa, permits individuals from overseas to undertake employment in the UK for a short-term duration, generally up to 12 months, with potential extensions in certain circumstances. Holders of a UK Temporary Work Visa are allowed to engage in employment, pursue educational courses, and sometimes bring dependant family members to the UK. Additionally, there may be opportunities to extend the visa or transition to another visa category, such as the Skilled Worker visa or a family visa, while in the UK.
Temporary Work Visa Categories
The UK offers various categories of Temporary Work Visas, which encompass:
- 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
Each category is tailored to specific employment and exchange circumstances, allowing for a diverse range of temporary employment opportunities within the UK.
Charity Worker Visa
The Charity Worker Visa is designated for individuals from abroad planning to engage in unpaid volunteer work for a charitable organization in the UK. To apply, one must obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK charity holding a sponsorship licence. This visa allows a stay of up to 12 months for successful applicants.
Creative Worker Visa
The Creative Worker Visa caters to individuals from outside the UK aiming to work within the creative industries, such as performers, actors, dancers, musicians, and film crew members. This visa category supersedes the earlier Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting visa (T5). Candidates are required to have a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed UK employer. Those granted this visa may reside in the UK for up to 12 months, with the possibility of a 12-month extension if they remain with the same employer.
Government Authorised Exchange Visa
The Government Authorised Exchange Visa allows individuals to enter the UK temporarily for work experience, training, participation in an Overseas Government Language Programme, academic research, or a fellowship under an officially sanctioned exchange scheme. This visa has taken the place of the Temporary Worker – Government Authorised Exchange visa (T5). The duration of stay is up to 24 months for those participating in research, language programmes, or training. However, the stay is capped at 12 months for those engaging in work experience through this visa.
International Agreement Visa
The International Agreement Visa is designed for individuals from outside the UK who are looking to carry out contractual work that falls under the scope of international agreements. Eligible individuals include those employed by foreign governments, private servants in diplomatic households, and those fulfilling contracts as contractual service suppliers or as independent professionals. The permissible length of stay under this visa is as follows:
- Up to 24 months for those employed by foreign governments or as private servants in diplomatic households.
- A maximum of 6 months within any 12-month period for contractual service suppliers.
- Up to 12 months under the terms of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
- Up to 12 months within a 24-month period under the interim service mobility arrangement between Switzerland and the UK.
Religious Worker Visa
The Religious Worker Visa is intended for individuals from abroad who are planning to engage in non-pastoral religious work or work with a religious order in the UK. Those who are granted this visa are allowed a stay of up to 24 months.
Seasonal Worker Visa
The Seasonal Worker Visa caters to individuals from overseas aiming to engage in the ‘edible horticulture’ sector within the UK, typically involving roles such as fruit and vegetable picking. Those who are granted this visa are authorized to reside in the UK for a period of up to 6 months.
Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
The Youth Mobility Scheme visa is available to young adults from countries like Australia, Canada, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, Iceland, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, as well as to British overseas citizens, British overseas territories citizens, and British nationals (overseas). Eligible individuals must be between the ages of 18 and 30 and are permitted to live and work in the UK for a duration of up to 2 years.
Graduate Visa
The UK Graduate Visa is designed for international students who have successfully completed either an undergraduate or postgraduate degree program in the UK. This visa allows graduates to extend their stay in the UK for up to 2 years and is often utilized as a pathway to secure full-time employment post-graduation.
Sponsorship Requirements for the Temporary Work Visa
For certain categories of the Temporary Work Visa, sponsorship is a prerequisite. These categories are:
- Charity Worker Visa
- Creative Worker Visa
- Government Authorised Exchange Visa
- International Agreement Visa
- Religious Worker Visa
- Seasonal Worker Visa
However, the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa and the Graduate Visa do not necessitate sponsorship.
General Eligibility for Temporary Work Visas
Eligibility criteria for Temporary Work Visas differ based on the specific visa category. Common requirements across all visas include:
Charity Worker Visa
- Possession of a Certificate of Sponsorship from a charitable organization that is officially registered.
Creative Worker Visa
- A distinct contribution to the UK’s creative industry, such as international recognition or necessity for project continuity.
- Adherence to the minimum salary standards as determined by entities such as Equity, PACT, or BECTU (excluding models, musicians, or circus performers).
Government Authorised Exchange Visa
- Entry into the UK for purposes like work experience, training programs, participation in an Overseas Government Language Programme, or engaging in research or fellowship as part of an authorized exchange scheme.
International Agreement Visa
- Age requirement of at least 18 years at the time of application.
- Work falling under any of the following categories: services covered by the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), similar agreements between the UK and other nations, positions with foreign governments or international organizations, or as a private servant in a diplomatic or international organization’s household.
Religious Worker Visa
- Must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
- Engagement in non-pastoral religious work or within a religious order.
Seasonal Worker Visa
- Sponsorship to participate in ‘edible horticulture’ for a period not exceeding 6 months.
Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
- A minimum savings of £2,530.
- Citizenship from eligible countries including Australia, Canada, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, Iceland, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, or Taiwan, or being a British overseas citizen, British overseas territories citizen, or a British national (overseas).
- Applicants must not have dependent children under 18, nor have previously participated in the scheme.
Graduate Visa
- Must currently be in the UK.
- Hold a valid Student Visa or Tier 4 (General) Student Visa.
- Have completed a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree, or another qualifying course for a stipulated duration with the Student Visa or Tier 4 (General) Student Visa.
- Confirmation from the educational institution of successful course completion.
Documentation Checklist for Temporary Worker Visa Application
Applicants for the Temporary Worker Visa must supply the Home Office with various documents to validate their application. The requirements vary based on the specific Temporary Worker Visa category and the applicant’s circumstances. Generally, for the majority of Temporary Worker Visa applications, the following documents are requested:
- The Certificate of Sponsorship reference number issued by the sponsoring employer.
- A valid passport or another form of identification that confirms identity and nationality.
- Proof of adequate personal funds, generally amounting to £1,270, for maintenance in the UK – this is commonly demonstrated through recent bank statements. If applicable, the sponsor may also provide written confirmation that they will support the applicant financially, which should be noted on the Certificate of Sponsorship.
- Evidence of familial relationships with dependents, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or civil partnership certificates if they are applying alongside the applicant.
- Results of a TB test, if required, for applicants from specific countries.
For certain visa types under the Temporary Work Visa, additional documents may be required:
Government Authorised Exchange Visa and International Agreement Visa:
- An Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate may be necessary if the role involves sensitive research at the Ph.D. level or higher, as specified by the employer.
Youth Mobility Scheme Visa:
- Proof of financial means through a bank statement showing a minimum of £2,530 in savings.
Graduate Visa:
- The Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) provided during the Student Visa application process.
- The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number, which was issued for the Student Visa application.
Temporary Work Visa Application Fees
The Temporary Worker visa application fees are as follows:
Visa type | Fee |
Charity Worker visa | Application fee: £244 Healthcare surcharge: £1035 per year (not payable for seasonal workers) Biometric fee: £19.20 |
Creative Worker visa | |
Government Authorised Exchange visa | |
International Agreement visa | |
Religious Worker visa | |
Seasonal Worker visa | |
Youth Mobility Scheme visa | Application fee: £244 Healthcare surcharge: £776 per year Biometric fee: £19.20 |
Graduate visa | Application fee: £700 Healthcare surcharge: £1035 per year Biometric fee: £19.20 |
Application Processing Time for a Temporary Work Visa
The time frame for receiving a decision on a Temporary Worker visa application typically spans 3 weeks for applicants outside the UK and 8 weeks for those applying from within the UK. For expedited processing, applicants may opt for priority or super-priority services. The priority service aims to deliver a decision in 5 working days for an additional cost of £500, while the super-priority service targets a decision by the next working day at a fee of £800. Availability of these expedited services may vary, and applicants will be informed of their eligibility to use them during the application process.
Temporary Work Visa Conditions
Outlined below are the permitted activities and restrictions associated with the Temporary Worker visa:
Visa type | Permitted Activities | Prohibited Activities |
Charity Worker visa |
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Creative Worker visa |
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Government Authorised Exchange visa |
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International Agreement visa |
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Religious Worker visa |
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Seasonal Worker visa |
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Youth Mobility Scheme visa |
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Graduate visa |
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Transitioning to a Long-Term Work Visa in the UK
Individuals may have the option to transition, or ‘switch’, to a long-term work visa while in the UK, enabling them to apply for a different visa without having to leave the country. It’s crucial to identify which types of long-term visas are available for switching, such as:
- Skilled Worker visa (note that seasonal workers and domestic workers in private households are ineligible for this switch)
- Family visa (includes spouse visa or fiancé visa)
To successfully switch visa categories, applicants must fulfill all eligibility criteria for the chosen pathway.
Handling a Refused Temporary Work Visa Application
If a Temporary Worker visa application is declined, requesting an Administrative Review is an advisable step, particularly if there’s a belief that the Home Office has erred in its decision. The refusal letter will detail available options. Prompt action is essential when facing a refusal, as there is typically a deadline for responses.
Common grounds for visa refusal include:
- Failure to meet eligibility requirements
- Suspicions regarding the genuineness of the application or provided information
- Presence of a criminal record
- Incomplete documentation or information submission
- Unpaid application fees
- Use of an incorrect application form
For an Administrative Review, applicants must:
- Fill out an online form within 28 days if applying from outside the UK
- Pay a fee of £80
- Clearly outline the perceived decision-making errors by the Home Office
The processing period for an Administrative Review can extend up to 6 months.
As an alternative, individuals may consider a Judicial Review to contest the legal grounds of the refusal or opt to submit a new application.