The UK Short-term work visas are a part of the Tier 5 visas and come under the UK’s Point-based system. The UK Short-term work visas are also known as ‘Temporary Workers Visas’
The visas under this category are listed below:

1. UK Charity Worker visa.
2. UK Creative Worker visa.
3. UK Government Authorized Exchange visa.
4. UK International Agreement visa.
5. UK Religious Worker visa.
6. UK Seasonal Work visa.
7. UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa.
8. UK Graduate visa.

Applicants must apply for a UK Government Authorised Exchange visa if the applicant wants to come to the UK for a short time for work experience or to do training, or an Overseas Government Language Programme, or research, or a fellowship through an approved government authorised exchange scheme.

• Yes, the applicant must have a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed employer before they can apply to come to the UK to work.
• The UK-based employer – also known as a ‘Sponsor’ – must provide the applicant with a ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ stating all the information with regard to the job role for which the applicant is employed in the UK.
• It’s an e-Certificate. That means, it is an electronic record and not a paper document.
• The applicant will need the reference number from the Certificate of Sponsorship to apply for the visa.

The applicant can apply for a UK Government Authorised Exchange visa up to 3 months before the day they are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on the Certificate of Sponsorship.

The applicant can apply to extend their UK Government Authorised Exchange visa before their current visa expires.

The applicant can apply to switch to a UK Government Authorised Exchange visa, only if the applicant meets the following eligibility criteria. The applicant must be:

• A student, whether studying, resitting an examination, or writing a thesis.
• A student union sabbatical officer.
• A student nurse.
• A postgraduate doctor or dentist.
• A student visa holder (including Tier 4).
• A sponsored researcher in the UK – on a work permit and the applicant wants to continue in the same job with their sponsor.
• The applicant must have completed a UK Bachelor’s or Master’s degree during their last grant of leave.

• The applicant can bring along a partner and children (under 18 years) to join them in the UK as their ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.
• If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as the main applicants.

A dependent partner or child is any of the following:

• Husband, wife, civil partner, or an unmarried partner.
• Children under 18 years – including if they were born in the UK during the main applicant’s stay in the country.
• Children over 18 years if they’re currently in the UK living as a dependant.

The applicant is permitted to:

• Study (for some courses).
• Work for the sponsor in the job described on the applicant’s Certificate of Sponsorship.
• Do a second job for up to 20 hours per week.
• Do a job on the Skilled Worker shortage occupation list for up to 20 hours per week.
• Apply to change (‘switch’) to a UK Global Talent visa if the applicant is in the government authorised exchange scheme for sponsored researchers.
• Bring a partner and children (under 18 years), if they’re eligible.

The applicant is not permitted to:

• Get public funds.
• Take a permanent job.