Jump to content

Tier 5 (Temporary worker - charity workers)

Image showing a voluntary worker.

Working and conditions

This page explains what additional work you can do under tier 5 of the points-based system in the UK, and how you change or finish your job.

When you can come

You can enter the UK up to 14 days before you start your job. The start date of your job is the one given by your sponsor in your certificate of sponsorship.

Conditions of your stay

Permission to stay in the UK is given on condition that:

  • you have no access to state benefits; and
  • you must register with the police if this is needed by paragraph 326 of the immigration rules: and
  • you only work (except for private servants):
  • with a certificate of sponsorship for a licensed sponsor or, for those here under the Government Authorised Exchange subcategory, as approved by your licensed sponsor; and
  • in an extra job in the same sector and at the same level, or in a job on the shortage occupation list, as long as it does not go over 20 hours a week;
  • if you are here under the sporting subcategory, as a sportsperson for your national team while it is in the UK and temporarily as a sports broadcaster.

Private servants may only work in the household of the employer recorded on the certificate of sponsorship.

Extra jobs

You can do extra work (supplementary work) to the job that you have a certificate of sponsorship for if:

  • it is in the same sector at the same level as the job that your certificate of sponsorship is for or in a job on the shortage occupation list;
  • the work is no more than 20 hours a week; and
  • the work is outside the working hours that the certificate of sponsorship is for.

You do not need to tell us about any extra jobs you take. 

You cannot take a second job.

Changing your job

If you have permission to enter or stay in the UK under tier 5, you can apply to change your job either in the same organisation or in a new organisation.  You must apply again and meet all the points' requirements. 

You will need to send evidence that you meet the maintenance requirement when applying for a new job.

Finishing a job

If your job ends before your permission to stay runs out, it is likely that we may limit your permission to stay to 60 days. You will need to apply again if you want to stay in the UK in this or another category.

We will not limit your permission to stay if you have less than 6 months left.