Specialist and temporary work routes.

What the official guidance says.

• Most of these routes need a licensed sponsor and a certificate of sponsorship or sponsor reference number, and your work must usually relate to the sponsor’s business.
• Fees, salary thresholds and surcharges change, so we do not quote them here; they are set out on GOV.UK and checked when we advise.

Creative Worker.

For creative workers such as actors, dancers, musicians or film crew offered work in the UK creative industries. You need a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed sponsor, your UK work must relate to the sponsor’s work, and you must show personal savings. A stay can last up to 12 months or the period on your certificate plus 28 days, whichever is shorter. Extensions may be possible and eligible partners and children can join as dependants.

International Sportsperson.

For top-level athletes and qualified coaches with a sponsoring employer. The sport’s governing body must endorse your application. The visa can last up to three years and can be extended while you remain eligible. Partners and children can join if they qualify, and after five years you may be able to settle, provided you have held at least one visa lasting longer than 12 months.

Minister of Religion.

For people offered a job within a UK faith community, such as a minister, missionary or member of a religious order, employed by a licensed sponsor. The visa lasts up to 3 years and 1 month, or the sponsorship period plus 14 days, whichever is shorter, and can be extended. After 5 years you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain.

Religious Worker.

For people doing religious work in a non-pastoral role or religious order, with a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed sponsor. The work must relate to the sponsor’s work. The visa lasts up to 24 months, or up to 28 days more than the certificate period. Eligible partners and children can come as dependants.

Charity Worker.

For unpaid voluntary work for a charity. You need a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed employer and your UK work must relate to the sponsor’s work. The visa lasts up to 12 months, or the certificate period plus 14 days, whichever is shorter. Eligible partners and children can join you.

Government Authorised Exchange.

For people coming for a short time for work experience, training, an Overseas Government Language Programme, research or a fellowship through an approved exchange scheme. You need a sponsor reference number. Visas last up to 12 or 24 months depending on the scheme, and eligible partners and children can come as dependants.

Seasonal Worker.

For temporary work in horticulture (picking fruit, vegetables or flowers) and poultry. Applicants need a sponsor. Horticulture work can last up to 6 months, and poultry work runs from 2 October to 31 December in the same year. Family members cannot come with the visa holder.

International Agreement Worker.

For people contracted to do work covered by international law or treaty, such as for an overseas government, a recognised international organisation, or as a private servant in a diplomatic household. You need a certificate of sponsorship. Government and international organisation workers can stay up to 2 years, or the sponsorship period plus 14 days if shorter. Diplomatic private servants can stay up to 5 years, applied for in blocks of up to 2 years. Eligible partners and children can apply to come with you.

What usually decides the outcome.

• Who the sponsor is and whether it holds a licence for this type of work.
• Whether your work relates to the sponsor’s business, as several routes require.
• How long you intend to stay and whether the route can be extended.
• Whether your partner and children can come as dependants on your route.

How we can help.

Depending on what you need, support can range from a first conversation to full representation. Ask for the scope of any work, and an explanation of our fees and separate government charges, in writing before you instruct the firm.

• Initial consultation and eligibility assessment. A conversation about your circumstances, the routes that may apply and the risks.
• Written advice and immigration planning. A considered view on your options and a plan that looks ahead to extensions, settlement or citizenship.
• Document and application checking. A review of an application or evidence you have prepared, before you submit it.
• Full application preparation and representation. Preparing and submitting the application, and dealing with the Home Office on your behalf.
• Responses to Home Office requests. Help answering requests for further information, interviews or evidence.
• Refusal analysis and next steps. Understanding why an application failed and whether to seek review, appeal, judicial review or make a fresh application.

Before you contact us

• Write a short summary of your circumstances and what you want to achieve.
• Note any decision dates, expiry dates or deadlines.
• Do not send passport numbers or sensitive documents in the first enquiry. We will explain how to share them securely.

Common questions.

Sources.

• GOV.UK: Creative Worker visa (opens in a new tab)
• GOV.UK: International Sportsperson visa (opens in a new tab)
• GOV.UK: Minister of Religion visa (opens in a new tab)
• GOV.UK: Religious Worker visa (opens in a new tab)
• GOV.UK: Charity Worker visa (opens in a new tab)
• GOV.UK: Government Authorised Exchange (opens in a new tab)
• GOV.UK: Seasonal Worker visa (opens in a new tab)
• GOV.UK: International Agreement Worker visa (opens in a new tab)

Related information.