Six sponsored routes for short-term work in the UK — all with a £340 fee and a £55 Certificate of Sponsorship, each with its own purpose and maximum stay.
Previously known as the Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) routes.
Reviewed by the Morgan Smith Immigration team — IAA-regulated UK immigration specialists. Last reviewed 2026-07-14.
TL;DR
The Temporary Worker routes (formerly Tier 5) all charge £340 with a £55 Certificate of Sponsorship: Creative Worker and Charity Worker allow up to 12 months, Seasonal Worker 6 months, Religious Worker and International Agreement up to 24 months, and Government Authorised Exchange 12 or 24 months by scheme. None leads directly to settlement.
£340
Application fee (all routes)
£55
Certificate of Sponsorship
3 weeks
Typical decision (outside UK)
The Six Temporary Routes
Sponsored, purpose-specific and time-limited — choose by what the work actually is.
No Sponsor? Consider Youth Mobility
The one short-term route that needs no employer sponsorship at all.
Employers: Get Licensed First
Every sponsored route on this page needs a Temporary Worker sponsor licence.
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Independent Google reviews from the people and businesses we have supported.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about temporary worker visas in 2026.
What are the UK Temporary Worker visas?
Six sponsored routes for short-term work, formerly called Tier 5: Creative Worker, Seasonal Worker, Charity Worker, Religious Worker, Government Authorised Exchange and International Agreement. All cost £340.
How long can you stay on a Temporary Worker visa?
It depends on the route: Seasonal Worker up to 6 months, Creative and Charity Worker up to 12 months, Religious Worker and International Agreement up to 24 months, and Government Authorised Exchange 12 or 24 months depending on the scheme.
Do Temporary Worker visas need sponsorship?
Yes — every route on this page needs a Certificate of Sponsorship (£55) from an employer holding a Temporary Worker sponsor licence. The exception is Youth Mobility, which needs no sponsor at all.
Can Temporary Worker visas lead to settlement?
No. These are temporary routes with no direct path to indefinite leave to remain. Workers who want to stay long term normally switch into a route like Skilled Worker before their permission expires.
Can Temporary Workers take a second job?
Most of these routes allow supplementary work of up to 20 hours a week in the same sector and level as the sponsored role, alongside the main job.
Can dependants come on a Temporary Worker visa?
Most of the routes allow eligible partners and children as dependants — the main exception is Seasonal Worker, where dependants cannot apply.
How much money do Temporary Workers need to show?
Usually £1,270 in personal savings held for 28 days, unless the sponsor certifies maintenance on the Certificate of Sponsorship or the applicant has been in the UK with a valid visa for 12 months.
Which licence does an employer need for these routes?
A Temporary Worker sponsor licence — £611 for all sponsor sizes, with decisions usually within 8 weeks. Each assigned Certificate of Sponsorship then costs £55.
How quickly are Temporary Worker visas decided?
Usually within 3 weeks for applications made outside the UK. Priority services may be available for an additional fee.
Can Morgan Smith Immigration help choose the right route?
Yes. Our IAA-regulated advisers match the role to the correct route, support the sponsor licence and Certificate of Sponsorship, and prepare the worker’s application end to end.
Sources
Legal information on this page is based on guidance from GOV.UK, the UK Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration, legislation.gov.uk, and Free Movement. Rules change frequently — speak to our team to confirm current requirements.
Plan Your Temporary Workforce
Route selection, sponsor licences and worker applications — handled by one IAA-regulated team.