What the routes have in common
The Temporary Work routes allow someone to come to the UK for a limited period to do a specific job, with a licensed sponsor. Each needs a certificate of sponsorship (or, for Government Authorised Exchange, a sponsor’s reference number), and the visa is tied to the sponsor and the job. The application fee is £340 for each person on every route in this guide, and you can apply up to three months before the job starts. They are not routes to settlement: time on them does not count towards indefinite leave to remain.
The routes compared
| Route | Longest stay | Second job | Dependants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Worker | 12 months, or the certificate plus 28 days if shorter | Same sector and level, up to 20 hours a week | Yes |
| Religious Worker | 24 months, or the certificate plus 28 days if shorter | Same sector and level, or a shortage-list job, up to 20 hours a week | Yes |
| Government Authorised Exchange | 12 or 24 months, depending on the scheme | Up to 20 hours a week | Yes |
| Seasonal Worker | 6 months for horticulture; 2 October to 31 December for poultry | No | No |
Creative Worker
For people with an offer of work in the creative industries, such as an actor, dancer, musician or member of a film crew. The work must relate to the work of the sponsor. If you intend to work in the UK for three months or less, you may be able to use the Creative Worker visa concession and not need a visa at all. You cannot start your own business.
Religious Worker
For people doing religious work in a non-pastoral role or in a religious order. The work must relate to the sponsor’s work. A minister of religion in a pastoral role needs the Minister of Religion visa instead.
Government Authorised Exchange
For short periods of work experience, training, an Overseas Government Language Programme, research or a fellowship under an approved exchange scheme. The sponsor may be a scheme operator, a higher education institution (for a researcher, visiting academic or examiner) or a government department or agency. You cannot take a permanent job.
Seasonal Worker
For horticulture work, such as picking fruit, vegetables or flowers, for up to six months, and for poultry work from 2 October to 31 December in the same year. Poultry applications must be made by 15 November. You cannot take a second job, a permanent job or bring family members, and a decision is usually made within three weeks. There is no health surcharge to pay.
Charity Worker and International Sportsperson
The Charity Worker route is for unpaid voluntary work for a charity, for up to a year. The International Sportsperson route is for elite sportspeople and qualified coaches whose governing body endorses the application. It costs £340 for up to 12 months and £819 from outside the UK (£943 from inside) for longer, and can last up to 3 years, with settlement possible after 5 years. It is a Worker-licence route, not a temporary one.
Costs and timing
The health surcharge is usually £1,035 a year, except for Seasonal Workers. You must also show enough personal savings, unless your sponsor certifies maintenance. A decision is usually made within three weeks from outside the UK and eight weeks from inside it, and a faster service can be bought. See the health surcharge guide.
Choosing the right route
The route that fits depends on the job, the sponsor and how long the work lasts. Where the work is long term, a Skilled Worker or Global Business Mobility visa may be better, because time on them can lead to settlement. We advise which fits and prepare the application. A consultation costs from £99.
