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Visitor visa
A Standard Visitor visa allows visitors to volunteer with a registered charity.
They can volunteer for up to 30 days.
Read about Visitor visas.
Charity Worker visa
A Charity Worker visa allows workers to do unpaid voluntary work with a registered charity.
They can volunteer for up to 12 months.
They must be 18 and over.
They’ll need to be sponsored by a charity with an A-rated sponsor licence. Read about sponsor licences.
Normally, they’ll need to work for the organisation they’re being sponsored by. They might be able to volunteer in the same role for another charity.
They must have £1270 for at least 28 days, unless exempt or their sponsor agrees to cover their expenses for the first month.
Read about Charity Worker visas (gov.uk)
Government Authorised Exchange visa
A Government Authorised Exchange visa allows people to do work experience, training, or internships in the UK. This must be through a UK government approved scheme (gov.uk)
They’ll need to be sponsored by one of the following:
- An organisation providing an approved exchange scheme
- A higher education institution (for researchers, visiting academics or examiners)
- A government department or agency
They can stay between 12 months and 25 months. This depends on the scheme they’re applying for.
They must have £1270 for at least 28 days, unless exempt or their sponsor agrees to cover their expenses for the first month.
Read about Government Authorised Exchange visas (gov.uk)
People seeking asylum
People who have claimed asylum can volunteer for a registered charity or public sector organisation.
They cannot be paid.
They can be reimbursed for expenses such as travel.
Read about volunteering while claiming asylum (gov.uk)
The content on this page is provided by immigration law firm Seraphus. Seraphus is fully regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Moving to Scotland?
For advice and guidance about moving to, living or working in Scotland, visit Scotland.org
Photo credit: Scottish Enterprise