Short Term Visas

Tier 5 Temporary Workers

The Tier 5 visa allows entry to work in the UK in a number of different circumstances, such as for charity workers, entertainers, diplomatic staff, and sportspeople. Most Tier 5 workers need a job offer from a licensed Tier 5 sponsor in the UK, but people from one of the small number of Countries whose nationals can come under the Youth Mobility Scheme can gain entry without a job offer.

• T5 Creative – for highly skilled workers who have a job offer in the creative sector, e.g. as a musician, model, or actor. Sportspeople on this visa must be internationally established at the highest level in their sport, and/or their job must make a significant contribution to the development and running of sport at the highest level.
• T5 Sporting – for a range of sportspersons who are making a significant contribution to their sport at the highest level in the UK. Sportspeople on this visa must be internationally established at the highest level in their sport, and/or their job must make a significant contribution to the development and running of sport at the highest level;
• T5 Charity – for people coming to the UK to do voluntary work and not paid work for a charity;
• T5 Religious Workers – short term permission for people coming to the UK to support the activities of religious institutions through non-pastoral duties;
• T5 International Agreement – for people coming to the UK under contract to provide a service that is covered under international law;
• T5 Government Authorised Exchange – for workers coming to the UK through an approved government scheme in order to undertake work experience, training, academic research or a fellowship; and
• T5 Youth Mobility Scheme – for individuals from Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and San Marino, aged between 18 and 30 who wish to study and/or work for any employer in the UK for up to two years.

Domestic Workers

This category does not currently fit under the new Tiered system; however it remains open for applications. If you wish to accompany your employer to the UK as a domestic or household worker, you will need to apply for a Domestic Worker visa. This type of visa includes chauffers, gardeners, cooks and nannies, who have been working for their employer for at least one full year. You will most likely be granted a visa for 12 months, depending on the length of stay of your employer. This visa can also be extended.

Visitors

This visa is for an individual wishing to travel for a period of up to six months to the United Kingdom. Whether the trip is for 1 week or 5 months, a visitor visa will be required.

Visitor visa holders are prohibited from working, paid or unpaid, during their visit in the United Kingdom and must show that they have enough money to support and accommodate themselves without working or help from public funds. Business visitors however can go to meetings with United Kingdom businesses or negotiate and enter into contracts with them, go to trade fairs, conferences and classroom training.

A business visitor may do business that is directly linked to their employment or business abroad. They must not do work which would require a work permit. They should get a salary from abroad but may receive reasonable expenses from sources in the United Kingdom to cover travel and living expenses.

• Standard Visitor Visa: This visa allows people to enter the UK for travel, tourism, and leisure purposes; as well as short term unpaid business appointments, academic conferences, participating in sporting events or creative/artistic work, and receiving private medical treatment in the UK.
• Permitted Paid Engagement Visa: this visa allows people to enter the UK for up to a month to take part in a paid engagement. Such as a public speaking engagement, chairing a meeting, or attending a conference.