Temporary Work Visa UK From Germany
If you are a German employer looking to hire overseas talent in the UK for temporary jobs, you must be aware of the Home Office criteria both you and your potential hire must fulfil to obtain a Temporary Work visa UK.
An expert business immigration lawyer can guide you through a myriad of immigration rules and regulations related to visas for a temporary worker in the UK, depending on your requirements. Dial +44 (0)333 305 9375 today to speak with one of our eminent legal team members, or reach out to us online.
What is a Temporary Worker Visa?
If you are wishing to hire foreign workers in the UK for a limited time, you can do so via the UK Temporary Work visa route.
There are several subcategories of a Temporary Work visa, allowing the visa holder working in the UK from six months up to two years.
In addition, they may also study, work in another job for up to 20 hours a week, and bring their immediate family to the UK for the duration of their visa.
Your potential hire will need a Temporary Work visa unless they are British or Irish citizens, EEA nationals with pre-settled or settled status in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme (or applied for the same and are waiting for a decision), or a third-country national with right to work legally in the UK allowed in their current visa/permission to remain.
Please note that the Temporary Work visa is a sponsored route, meaning you must have a valid sponsorship licence for temporary workers in the UK.
Types of UK Temporary Work Visas
The UK offers several Temporary Work visa options, varying in scope and validity. We have provided a brief description of each type of Temporary Work visa in the UK here:
Seasonal Worker Visa
A Seasonal Worker visa allows foreign nationals to come and work in the UK in horticulture for up to six months or in poultry during 2 October-31 December in a year. To do so, they must:
- Be 18 or over
- Have a sponsoring employer who can issue them a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
- Have at least £1,270 in their bank account to support themselves in the UK (unless exempt)
In this context, please note that new applications for pork butchery workers under the Seasonal Worker visa route have been closed. If you are currently sponsoring pork butchery workers via this route, you may continue to do so as long as eligibility requirements are met.
Government Authorised Exchange Visa
A Government Authorised Exchange visa would be your option if your overseas hire is coming to the UK for up to 24 months to gain work experience or to do training, an Overseas Government Language Programme, research or a fellowship through an approved government authorised exchange scheme.
They should also have at least £1,270 in their bank account unless they are exempt. This visa can be extended provided eligibility requirements are met.
Creative Worker Visa
A foreign national who works in the creative industries, e.g. a dancer, musician, actor, playwright or film crew member, may be eligible to apply for a Creative Worker visa in the UK valid for up to 12 months (and may be extended for a maximum of another 24 months), provided they:
- Make a unique contribution in the UK in their respective fields
- Are sponsored by their employer or the organisation arranging for them to come in the UK
- Have at least £1,270 in their bank account unless exempt
Religious Worker Visa
Foreign nationals wishing to engage in religious work in the UK in a non-pastoral role or religious order may be eligible to apply for a Religious Worker visa, provided they:
- Are 18 or over
- Have a CoS from a recognised sponsor in the UK
- Have at least £1,270 in their bank account (unless otherwise exempt)
- Were not granted a Religious Worker or Charity Worker visa in the year prior to the date of application, unless they can prove that they were outside the UK for that period
Charity Worker Visa
A Charity Worker is applicable to foreign nationals who:
- Want to do unpaid voluntary work for a charity in the UK
- Are aged 18 or over
- Have the required money in bank (i.e. £1,270) unless exempt
- Have a valid CoS reference number from their UK sponsor
International Agreement Visa
An International Agreement visa applies to foreign nationals who have been contracted to do work in the UK covered by international law or treaty, such as:
- Working for an overseas government or recognised international organisation
- Working as a private domestic worker in a diplomatic household
They must also meet the aforementioned age and fund criteria, and have a CoS reference number from their UK sponsor.
Eligibility Requirements for Employers
German businesses/organisations looking to sponsor foreign nationals in the UK in any of the Temporary Work visa routes discussed above must possess a ‘Temporary Worker’ sponsor licence.
You must meet the below mentioned criteria to be eligible to apply for a sponsor licence in the UK:
- You have appropriate systems in place to monitor sponsored workers, and people to manage sponsorship in your business
- You do not have unspent criminal convictions for immigration offences or financial crimes like money laundering, fraud etc.
- You have not had a sponsor licence revoked in the last 12 months
- You have suitable HR systems, policies and processes in place to meet their sponsor duties
- Your job offer complies with the UK minimum wage and working time regulations. You may lose the sponsor licence, and your overseas worker may be refused a visa, if this criterion is not met
- Your potential foreign hire meets the other requirements specific for the visa they are applying for
How Can Total Law Help?
The increasing demand for workers in the UK, combined with the domestic labour market’s inability to fulfil the requirements, have witnessed a rise in foreign nationals migrating to the UK for work, even on a temporary basis.
The Home Office, however, has rigorous rules and strict policies in place when it comes to foreign workers’ right to work in the UK, to prevent any possible scenario of immigration or financial abuse.
Moreover, economic slavery being an increasing concern for governments worldwide, work visas, particularly those for temporary assignments or involving manual labour, are subjected to close scrutiny by UK immigration authorities and other relevant government departments.
As an employer, all this means that you should be aware of the related immigration and labour rules and regulations in the UK, to remain on the right side of the law. We highly recommend you to consult a competent and knowledgeable business immigration lawyer to increase your chances of success in receiving a positive decision with regard to your ‘Temporary Worker’ sponsor licence application as well as for a Temporary Work visa application for your overseas recruits.
Our team of immigration advisers at Total Law come with the required expertise and empathy to understand your case and assist you, regardless of how complex your circumstances might be. Call us on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or message us online today, to know more about the bespoke immigration services we provide, and how we can help you.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
German citizens can work in the UK as long as they have a valid work visa, or if they have pre-settled or settled status in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme (or if applied for the same and awaiting a decision).
Three weeks if applied outside the UK, but may take up to eight weeks if applying from within.
