The Tier 5 Temporary Work visa allows certain types of temporary workers to enter the UK to satisfy cultural, charitable, religious or international objectives.

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Each subcategory has its own eligibility requirements:

The Creative and Sporting subcategory of the Tier 5 Temporary Worker route is for individuals who have been offered work as a creative worker (including, but not limited to, actors, dancers, musicians and film crew) or sportspersons.

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Temporary Worker visa as a creative worker, will need to demonstrate that they can make a unique contribution to the UK labour market and that they will be paid the minimum salary as set by Equity, PACT or BECTU.

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A sportsperson will need to be endorsed by the governing body for their sport and demonstrate that they will make a significant contribution to their sport at the highest level in the UK.

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A Charity Worker sub-category if they wish to undertake unpaid voluntary work for a charity. The work that they intend to undertake in the UK must directly relate to the charity which is sponsoring them and the position must not be a permanent position.

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Religious Worker will undertake preaching or working in a religious order, they may be able to apply for a Tier 5 Temporary Worker visa in the Religious Worker sub-category. Their  salary and conditions will need to be at least equal to that received by settled workers in the same role. The employer may need to conduct a ‘Resident Labour Market Test’, which in some circumstances will entail providing evidence of a national recruitment search.

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The Tier 5 Temporary Worker Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) route is for individuals who wish to come to the UK for a short time for work experience or to complete training, an Overseas Government Language Programme, research or a fellowship through an approved Government Authorised Exchange scheme.

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Under the International  they will undertake work that is covered by international law (e.g. working for a foreign government or as a private servant in a diplomatic household). They will need to have professional experience in the relevant sector before they apply under this route.

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Main requirements

In order to qualify for a Tier 5 (Temporary Work) visa for the UK the applicant must be able to demonstrate that:

• They have a UK sponsor who has issued them with a Certificate of Sponsorship;

• The role is supernumerary;

• They have at least £945 in savings and have held this for at least 90 days prior to making the application;

• They will be paid at least the National Minimum Wage; and

• They do not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal.
   

Length and conditions of stay in the UK

Applicants can apply to come to the UK for a maximum period of 12 or 24 months depending on the scheme they are applying under. If applying for a shorter stay, an applicant will be granted leave in line with the time stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship plus 28 days.
 

During their stay in the UK, applicants can study, work in the role described on their Certificate of Sponsorship and undertake certain supplementary work of up to 20 hours per week. Applicants cannot take a permanent job or access public funds.
 

This is not a route which leads to settlement in the UK.