When exploring possible career options, most teens apply for the Charity worker visa UK to volunteer while gaining important job skills, expanding their social circle and promoting their social awareness.
While giving back to society is the desire of many young Brits, doing it legally under the correct visa is of utmost importance. Most countries have charity worker visas that allow individuals with needed skills to come into their country to volunteer.
With the UK Charity Worker visa, individuals can come and volunteer in the UK for at least 12 months or the length of time provided in their CoS. The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is usually provided by a licensed UK charity.
If you wish to come to the UK for volunteer work, this article will help you understand why volunteering abroad is important, what charity worker visas are about, and how to apply for the charity worker visas.
Why Choose Charity Work Abroad?
If you have been volunteering in your home country, you can consider spreading your volunteer services abroad. Volunteering abroad allows you to contribute to sustainable development, assist communities in need and help to address global issues (especially if you have specific skills).
Pressing issues such as environmental degradation, inequality, poverty and conflict are present in most countries. The presence of volunteers in those locations helps to maintain a just and sustainable world.
When you volunteer abroad, you are not only volunteering to a particular cause, you are transforming the lives of individuals and families, and empowering them to become a better version of themselves.
Most volunteers have testified that while being exposed to new cultures, perspectives and ways of life while volunteering, they experienced a sense of self-awareness and self-discovery that helped them understand their purpose.
This shows that volunteering offers mutual benefits to those who volunteer and the communities where they offer their volunteer services.
Understanding Charity Worker Visas
As a subcategory of the UK Temporary Worker visa, the Charity Worker visa allows individuals to do unpaid voluntary work in the UK for up to 12 months. Although the charity worker visa is a short-term/temporary visa, it is not to be confused with other visa types.
For instance, the tourist visa is also a short-term/temporary visa that allows the holder to enter the UK for leisure, sightseeing, and just staying in the country without working.
Eligibility Criteria for the UK Charity Worker Visa
To qualify for the Charity Worker visa, you need to meet the requirements below:
- Be 18 years or above
- Obtain a valid CoS from a UK charity with a sponsor license
- Show that you have enough money (at least 1,270 pounds) to support yourself during your stay in the UK
- Prove that you do not have any previous criminal convictions
- Tuberculosis test (if applicable)
- Must prove that you are coming to do charity work and not simply as a means to immigrate to the UK
- Must have English Language proficiency
- Must not have been in the UK in the last year under the Charity or Religious Worker route
- The charity work/job offer must be genuine and must meet specific requirements
Based on your home country, there may also be other requirements. Apart from the requirements mentioned above, applicants must conduct proper research to know the specific visa requirements for their country. You can consult an immigration lawyer to guide you through the application process.
Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for a Charity Worker Visa in 2025
Follow these steps to apply for a Charity Worker Visa:
- Search online for reputable charities that are hiring and willing to sponsor.
- Do your due diligence to ensure that the charity organisation is properly registered, transparent, and aligns with your values and skills.
- Apply to the charity organisation.
- If you meet the eligibility criteria, then you need to obtain the Certificate of Sponsorship from the charity organization that is sponsoring you.
- After you’ve gotten that, visit the UK government’s official website to apply online.
- Gather the supporting documents that will be needed to prove your identity and claim online.
- During your application, you will be informed whether you need to simply upload your supporting documents or whether you need an appointment to submit your documents.
- You will need to pay an application fee of £319 per person and a healthcare surcharge of £1,035 per year.
NOTE: The charity organisation is there to provide you with all the assistance you need during and after your application.
The documents you will need to successfully apply for this visa are a valid passport, a Certificate of Sponsorship reference number from the UK charity, completed application forms, letter of invitation/confirmation from the charity, proof of funds, police clearance certificates, passport photos, medical results, proof of relationship (if you are going with your family), and receipts for application fee and health surcharge payments.
Popular Destinations and Types of Charity Work
Apart from the UK, young Brits can explore volunteer opportunities in countries like Costa Rica, Tanzania, Ecuador, Thailand, South Africa and Indonesia. Each of these locations offers a unique experience to those who are coming to volunteer.
For instance, in Ecuador, young Brits who are interested in environmental protection, humanitarian assistance and community development have an opportunity to make their impact. For locations such as South Africa and Tanzania, young Brits can gain experience in wildlife conservation and other humanitarian work.
There are other exciting locations (Croatia, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Spain and Romania) in Europe where young Brits can volunteer. Those interested in animal care, youth support, sustainable agriculture and other community-based projects can volunteer in Croatia, Italy and Greece.
Those who are interested in wolf conservation, environmental scuba diving, conservation efforts, creative technologies, English education, youth support and other community-based programs can volunteer in Portugal, Spain and Romania.
These locations allow young Brits to volunteer in places and work on projects that align with their skills and passions. Other types of volunteer work available in these locations include green volunteering, sports volunteering, and hospital volunteering (especially for medical personnel).
