If you wish to apply for a visa in this category then our team at Hunter Stone Law will be able to guide and assist you throughout every step of the process. In order to qualify for this visa you would have to meet the requirement of the relevant section of the Immigration Rules. However we have attempted to simplify the requirements below.
You can apply for a Tier 5 (Temporary Worker - International Agreement) visa if:
Obtaining Sponsorship
You need to be sponsored - ie have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed employer - before you can apply to come to the UK. The work you do in the UK must relate to the work of your sponsor organisation.
In most cases you’ll be able to stay for 2 years, or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus up to 28 days, whichever is shorter.
In certain cases you can only stay for 6 months in any 12 month period, or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter. This applies if you’re providing a service:
You can enter the UK 14 days before the start date on your certificate of sponsorship. You may be asked to leave the UK within 60 days if your job finishes early. It’s unlikely you’ll have to leave if your visa has less than 60 days remaining.
Eligibility for a Tier 5 (Temporary Worker - International Agreement) visa
You can apply for a Tier 5 (Temporary Worker - International Agreement) visa if you have:
You won’t need £945 in savings if your fully approved (‘A-rated’) sponsor has stated on your certificate of sponsorship that they’ll certify your maintenance and that you won’t claim benefits during your stay.
Work covered by international law
Your work in the UK must be any of the following:
Certificate of sponsorship
A certificate of sponsorship is a unique reference number that holds information about you and your job. It’s not an actual certificate or paper document. Your sponsor will give you the certificate of sponsorship. Your sponsor will also give you the information they used on your certificate about your job, eg your working hours. Your sponsor must be recognised by the UK government to issue certificates of sponsorship. You must apply for your visa within 3 months of receiving your certificate of sponsorship.
Multiple entry
Your sponsor can give you a multiple entry certificate of sponsorship so you can leave and return to the UK.
Documents you must provide with the application
When you apply you’ll need to provide:
You won’t need £945 in savings if your fully approved (‘A-rated’) sponsor has stated on your certificate of sponsorship that they’ll certify your maintenance and that you won’t claim benefits during your stay. You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.
Applying for a for a Tier 5 (Temporary Worker - International Agreement) visa
If you’re applying outside the UK then you must apply online for this visa. You’ll need to have your fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken at a visa application centre as part of your application. You can only extend your existing visa or switch to this visa if you’re already in the UK.
Extend your visa in this category
You can apply to extend your Tier 5 (Temporary Worker - International Agreement) visa. You should include any dependants who are on your current visa on your application to extend - including children who have turned 18 during your stay. You should apply before your current visa expires.
Eligibility to extend your visa
You must be in the UK to extend your visa. You must continue to meet the eligibility rules.
You can apply to extend your visa for up to 2 years at a time up to a total maximum stay of 6 years unless:
Switch to your visa to a Tier 5 (Temporary Worker - International Agreement) visa
You can apply to switch into a Tier 5 (Temporary Worker - International Agreement) visa while you are in the UK if you want to continue working for your current employer and you:
You should apply before your current visa expires. You can stay for 2 years or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus up to 28 days, whichever is shorter.
Family members/Dependants
Your family members (‘dependants’) must apply to join or remain with you in the UK if they’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
A dependant is any of the following:
It’s best to send your dependant’s application at the same time as yours. Read the guidance on dependant applications before you apply.
Savings to prove you can support your dependants
You must show that your dependants can be supported while they’re in the UK. Each dependant must have £630 available to them whether they apply with you or separately. This is in addition to the £945 you must have to support yourself. You must have proof you have the money, and that it’s been in your bank account or your dependant’s bank account for at least 90 days before you or they apply.
If your dependants applying outside the UK then your family members must apply online. They’ll need to have their fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken at a visa application centre as part of their application.
If your dependants applying are in the UK then they can apply online or by post. It’s advisable to send your dependant’s application at the same time as yours but they can apply at a later date, either by post or in person at a premium service centre.
What you can and can’t do
You can:
You can’t: