Vanessa Ganguin Immigration Law's Ross Kennedy has written a two-part guide for charities and immigration practitioners on how to apply for a Charity Worker Sponsor Licence and sponsor migrants under this niche UK immigration route published in Free Movement.
The Charity Worker visa is designed for voluntary workers aged 18 or over who wish to come to the UK to do work for a recognised charitable organisation. Work must be unpaid and fieldwork which contributes directly to the achievement or advancement of the sponsor’s charitable purpose – for example, in the case of a charity supporting homeless people, it may include activities such as working with homeless people directly, but not to fundraising or other back-office administrative work that merely supports the charitable purpose.
It is a sponsored route, so applicants need to be sponsored by a UK-based charitable organisation which has been granted a licence to sponsor workers in this category. It is a temporary route with a maximum period of 12 months which does not lead to settlement.
This is a very narrow UK immigration option. We advise many charities and faith organisations on the range of options they may have for staff and volunteers coming to Britain.
You can find out more about sponsoring people on work immigration routes, compliance and how we assist organisations of all sizes here. We have a wealth of experience in identifying the most effective route and supporting clients with the necessary strategic and practical advice. We can also support your workers with extensions and indefinite leave to remain applications at the appropriate time. The firm is highly regarded in all the major legal guides for our business immigration work and we always advise on the most suitable work visa, as well as the requirements, responsibilities and procedures should you need to apply for a sponsor licence.
Please call our friendly immigration experts on +44(0)207 033 9527 to discuss your sponsoring and work visa options.
You can read Ross Kennedy's two part guide to sponsoring Charity Workers in the links below. The first part details the requirements and process of applying for a sponsor licence, while the second part explains validity, suitability and eligibility criteria for Charity Workers and dependants, certificates of sponsorship, and the visa application process.
Read Ross Kennedy's briefing on how to apply for a Charity Worker sponsor licence in Free Movement
Read Ross Kennedy's briefing on how to sponsor a Charity Worker in Free Movement