I am a person who is looking to work at a charity in the UK with an annual income of £23,000. I am looking at my eligibility for the Charity Worker visa. I have a certificate of sponsorship and £5,000 in savings. Am I eligible for the Charity Worker visa?

You can apply for a Temporary Worker - Charity Worker visa (T5) if:

Temporary Worker - Charity Worker visa (T5)

Overview

you want to do unpaid voluntary work for a charity

you meet the other eligibility requirements

This visa has replaced the Tier 5 (Temporary Worker - Charity Worker) visa.

If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

If you or your close family member started living in the UK before 1 January 2021, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme.

Otherwise you need a visa to work in the UK.

Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Sponsorship

You must have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed employer before you can apply to come to the UK to work.

The work you do in the UK must relate to the work of your sponsor organisation.

How long it will take

The earliest you can apply for a visa is 3 months before the date you’re due to start work. This date is on your certificate of sponsorship.

You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK.

Find out about paying for a faster decision.

Application fee

The application fee for each person applying is £244.

The fee is the same whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.

If you’re from an eligible country

Your application fee will be automatically reduced by £55 if you’re from one of the following countries:

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden or Turkey.

This reduction only applies to your visa application. Your partner and children will still need to pay the full application fee.

Healthcare surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.

If you’re applying to extend in the UK

You’ll need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.

Get a faster decision on your application

If you’re applying to extend from inside the UK you can pay an extra £500 for the priority service to get a decision within 5 working days.

You can pay an extra £800 for the super priority service to get a decision:

by the end of the the next working day after your UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) appointment if your appointment is on a weekday

2 working days after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is at the weekend

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

How long you can stay

You can stay for up to 12 months or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.

You can enter the UK up to 14 days before the start date of your job.

What you can and cannot do

You can:

study - for some courses you’ll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate

work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship

do a second job in the same sector at the same level as your main 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

bring your partner and children with you, if they’re eligible

You cannot:

receive any payment for work

take a permanent job

get public funds

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Temporary Worker - Charity Worker visa (T5) you need:

a certificate of sponsorship reference number from your UK sponsor

enough money to support yourself in the UK - you’ll usually need to have at least £1,270 available (unless you’re exempt)

Certificate of sponsorship

A certificate of sponsorship is a unique reference number that holds information about the job you will do and your personal details. It is not a certificate or paper document.

Your sponsor will give you the certificate of sponsorship.

Your sponsor must also give you the information they used on your certificate about your job, for example your working hours.

Your sponsor must be recognised by the UK government to issue certificates of sponsorship.

Your certificate of sponsorship is valid for 3 months from the date it is assigned to you.

Multiple entry

Your sponsor can give you a multiple entry certificate of sponsorship so you can leave and return to the UK.

Money to support yourself

You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK.

You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.

You’ll usually need to show proof of this when you apply, unless either:

you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months

your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK, up to £1,270

Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they’re in the UK. Check how much they’ll need.

Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.

If your employer can support you instead

Your certificate of sponsorship must confirm this. Your employer will need to complete the ‘sponsor certifies maintenance’ section on your certificate. This is under ‘Additional data’.

Documents you must provide

When you apply you’ll need to provide:

your certificate of sponsorship reference number - your employer will give you this

a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality

evidence that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK, for example bank statements (unless your certificate of sponsorship shows your employer can support you)

proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they’re applying with you

your tuberculosis (TB) test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test

You need a blank page in your passport for your visa.

You’ll need to provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.

Read the guidance on documents you can provide.

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.

Apply

Read the full guidance before you apply.

Apply from outside the UK

You must apply online for this visa.

You’ll need to have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre (to get a biometric residence permit) as part of your application.

You’ll have to collect your biometric residence permit within 10 days of when you said you’d arrive in the UK.

Find out how to get your visa decision faster - this depends on what country you’re in. Check if your visa application centre offers faster decisions and other services.

Apply from inside the UK

You can only extend your existing visa if you’re already in the UK.

Extend your visa

You can apply to extend your Temporary Worker - Charity Worker visa (T5).

You should apply before your current visa expires.

Eligibility

You must continue to meet the eligibility rules.

You must be in the UK to extend your visa.

How long you can stay

You can apply to take your stay in the UK up to a maximum of 12 months, or the time on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.

Fees

Check the fees for this visa.

How to extend your visa

You should read the full guidance before you apply.

You can apply online.

Your partner and children

You can add your partner and children to your online application - including children who have turned 18 during your stay.

Providing biometric information and supporting documents

When you apply, you’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo).

You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents. You can:

upload them into the online service

have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

How long it takes

A decision will be made within 8 weeks of your application date if you use the standard service.

If you use the super priority service a decision will be made:

by the end of the next working day after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is on a weekday

2 working days after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is at the weekend

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example because:

your supporting documents need to be verified

you need to attend an interview

of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)

Your partner and children

Your partner and children can apply to join you or to stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible. If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours.

Your relationship

A dependant partner or child is any of the following:

your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner

your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay

your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependant

You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply.

Your partner

You must be able to prove that either:

you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK

you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply

If your child is 16 or over

They must:

live with you (unless they’re in full-time education at boarding school, college or university)

not be married, in a civil partnership or have any children

be financially supported by you

If your child lives with you, you’ll need to provide evidence of their address such as:

a bank statement

credit card bills

driving licence

NHS registration document

an official letter from their university or college

Money they need to support themselves

Your partner or children must have a certain amount of money available to support themselves while they’re in the UK.

You - or your partner or child - will need:

£285 for your partner

£315 for one child

£200 for each additional child

You - or your partner or child - will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of you or them applying for this visa.

You’ll usually need to show proof of this when they apply, unless either:

you have all been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months

your employer can cover your family’s costs during your first month in the UK - this must be confirmed on your certificate of sponsorship

If your partner or child is applying at a different time to you, they’ll only need to prove they have enough money to support themselves if they have been in the UK for less than one year.

Apply from outside the UK

Your partner and children must apply online.

Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee. They must apply before they travel to the UK.

They’ll also need your application number - you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

Proving their identity

As part of their application, your partner and children will need to have their fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre. They may need to travel to get to their nearest centre (this could be in another country).

The visa application centre may need to keep their passport and documents while they process their application.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

They may be able to pay to get their visa faster - check with the visa application centre.

Apply from inside the UK to extend

You can include your partner and children on your application to extend this visa. This includes children who were born or have turned 18 during your stay.

If you cannot apply at the same time, your partner or child can apply to extend their visas at a later date. This must be before their current visa expires.

How to apply

Your partner and children must apply online to either:

extend as a partner

extend as a child

They’ll need your application number - you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

As part of their application, your partner and children will need to have their fingerprints and photograph taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point.

They must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until they get a decision. Their application will be withdrawn if they do.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

They may be able to pay to get a faster decision - they’ll be told if they can when they apply.

Children born in the UK

If you have a child while you’re in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen.

You can apply online for their visa as your dependant. You must do this if you want to travel in and out of the UK with your child.

You’ll need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.

You must apply to add them to your visa before they turn 18 if they want to stay in the UK.

you want to do unpaid voluntary work for a charity

Overview

You can apply for a Temporary Worker - Charity Worker visa (T5) if:

you meet the other eligibility requirements

This visa has replaced the Tier 5 (Temporary Worker - Charity Worker) visa.

If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

If you or your close family member started living in the UK before 1 January 2021, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme.

Otherwise you need a visa to work in the UK.

Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Sponsorship

You must have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed employer before you can apply to come to the UK to work.

The work you do in the UK must relate to the work of your sponsor organisation.

How long it will take

The earliest you can apply for a visa is 3 months before the date you’re due to start work. This date is on your certificate of sponsorship.

You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK.

Find out about paying for a faster decision.

Application fee

The application fee for each person applying is £244.

The fee is the same whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.

If you’re from an eligible country

Your application fee will be automatically reduced by £55 if you’re from one of the following countries:

This reduction only applies to your visa application. Your partner and children will still need to pay the full application fee.

Healthcare surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.

If you’re applying to extend in the UK

You’ll need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.

Get a faster decision on your application

If you’re applying to extend from inside the UK you can pay an extra £500 for the priority service to get a decision within 5 working days.

You can pay an extra £800 for the super priority service to get a decision:

by the end of the the next working day after your UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) appointment if your appointment is on a weekday

2 working days after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is at the weekend

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

How long you can stay

You can stay for up to 12 months or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.

You can enter the UK up to 14 days before the start date of your job.

What you can and cannot do

You can:

study - for some courses you’ll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate

work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship

do a second job in the same sector at the same level as your main 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

bring your partner and children with you, if they’re eligible

You cannot:

receive any payment for work

take a permanent job

get public funds

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Temporary Worker - Charity Worker visa (T5) you need:

a certificate of sponsorship reference number from your UK sponsor

enough money to support yourself in the UK - you’ll usually need to have at least £1,270 available (unless you’re exempt)

Certificate of sponsorship

Your sponsor will give you the certificate of sponsorship.

Your sponsor must also give you the information they used on your certificate about your job, for example your working hours.

Your sponsor must be recognised by the UK government to issue certificates of sponsorship.

Your certificate of sponsorship is valid for 3 months from the date it is assigned to you.

Multiple entry

Your sponsor can give you a multiple entry certificate of sponsorship so you can leave and return to the UK.

Money to support yourself

You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK.

You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.

You’ll usually need to show proof of this when you apply, unless either:

you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months

your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK, up to £1,270

Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they’re in the UK. Check how much they’ll need.

Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.

If your employer can support you instead

Documents you must provide

When you apply you’ll need to provide:

your certificate of sponsorship reference number - your employer will give you this

a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality

proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they’re applying with you

your tuberculosis (TB) test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test

You need a blank page in your passport for your visa.

You’ll need to provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.

Read the guidance on documents you can provide.

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.

Apply

Read the full guidance before you apply.

Apply from outside the UK

You must apply online for this visa.

You’ll need to have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre (to get a biometric residence permit) as part of your application.

You’ll have to collect your biometric residence permit within 10 days of when you said you’d arrive in the UK.

Apply from inside the UK

You can only extend your existing visa if you’re already in the UK.

Extend your visa

You can apply to extend your Temporary Worker - Charity Worker visa (T5).

You should apply before your current visa expires.

Eligibility

You must continue to meet the eligibility rules.

You must be in the UK to extend your visa.

How long you can stay

You can apply to take your stay in the UK up to a maximum of 12 months, or the time on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.

Fees

Check the fees for this visa.

How to extend your visa

You should read the full guidance before you apply.

You can apply online.

Your partner and children

You can add your partner and children to your online application - including children who have turned 18 during your stay.

Providing biometric information and supporting documents

You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents. You can:

upload them into the online service

have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment

How long it takes

A decision will be made within 8 weeks of your application date if you use the standard service.

If you use the super priority service a decision will be made:

by the end of the next working day after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is on a weekday

2 working days after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is at the weekend

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example because:

your supporting documents need to be verified

you need to attend an interview

of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)

Your partner and children

Your relationship

A dependant partner or child is any of the following:

your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner

your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay

your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependant

You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply.

Your partner

You must be able to prove that either:

you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK

you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply

If your child is 16 or over

They must:

live with you (unless they’re in full-time education at boarding school, college or university)

not be married, in a civil partnership or have any children

be financially supported by you

If your child lives with you, you’ll need to provide evidence of their address such as:

a bank statement

credit card bills

driving licence

NHS registration document

an official letter from their university or college

Money they need to support themselves

Your partner or children must have a certain amount of money available to support themselves while they’re in the UK.

You - or your partner or child - will need:

£285 for your partner

£315 for one child

£200 for each additional child

You’ll usually need to show proof of this when they apply, unless either:

you have all been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months

your employer can cover your family’s costs during your first month in the UK - this must be confirmed on your certificate of sponsorship

Apply from outside the UK

Your partner and children must apply online.

Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee. They must apply before they travel to the UK.

Proving their identity

The visa application centre may need to keep their passport and documents while they process their application.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

They may be able to pay to get their visa faster - check with the visa application centre.

Apply from inside the UK to extend

You can include your partner and children on your application to extend this visa. This includes children who were born or have turned 18 during your stay.

How to apply

Your partner and children must apply online to either:

extend as a partner

extend as a child

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

They may be able to pay to get a faster decision - they’ll be told if they can when they apply.

Children born in the UK

If you have a child while you’re in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen.

You can apply online for their visa as your dependant. You must do this if you want to travel in and out of the UK with your child.

You’ll need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.

You must apply to add them to your visa before they turn 18 if they want to stay in the UK.

You cannot:

Overview

You can apply for a Temporary Worker - Charity Worker visa (T5) if:

you want to do unpaid voluntary work for a charity

you meet the other eligibility requirements

This visa has replaced the Tier 5 (Temporary Worker - Charity Worker) visa.

If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

If you or your close family member started living in the UK before 1 January 2021, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme.

Otherwise you need a visa to work in the UK.

Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Sponsorship

You must have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed employer before you can apply to come to the UK to work.

The work you do in the UK must relate to the work of your sponsor organisation.

How long it will take

The earliest you can apply for a visa is 3 months before the date you’re due to start work. This date is on your certificate of sponsorship.

You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK.

Find out about paying for a faster decision.

Application fee

The application fee for each person applying is £244.

The fee is the same whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.

If you’re from an eligible country

Your application fee will be automatically reduced by £55 if you’re from one of the following countries:

This reduction only applies to your visa application. Your partner and children will still need to pay the full application fee.

Healthcare surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.

If you’re applying to extend in the UK

You’ll need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.

Get a faster decision on your application

If you’re applying to extend from inside the UK you can pay an extra £500 for the priority service to get a decision within 5 working days.

You can pay an extra £800 for the super priority service to get a decision:

by the end of the the next working day after your UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) appointment if your appointment is on a weekday

2 working days after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is at the weekend

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

How long you can stay

You can stay for up to 12 months or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.

You can enter the UK up to 14 days before the start date of your job.

What you can and cannot do

You can:

study - for some courses you’ll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate

work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship

do a second job in the same sector at the same level as your main 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

bring your partner and children with you, if they’re eligible

You cannot:

receive any payment for work

take a permanent job

get public funds

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Temporary Worker - Charity Worker visa (T5) you need:

a certificate of sponsorship reference number from your UK sponsor

enough money to support yourself in the UK - you’ll usually need to have at least £1,270 available (unless you’re exempt)

Certificate of sponsorship

Your sponsor will give you the certificate of sponsorship.

Your sponsor must also give you the information they used on your certificate about your job, for example your working hours.

Your sponsor must be recognised by the UK government to issue certificates of sponsorship.

Your certificate of sponsorship is valid for 3 months from the date it is assigned to you.

Multiple entry

Your sponsor can give you a multiple entry certificate of sponsorship so you can leave and return to the UK.

Money to support yourself

You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK.

You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.

You’ll usually need to show proof of this when you apply, unless either:

you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months

your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK, up to £1,270

Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they’re in the UK. Check how much they’ll need.

Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.

If your employer can support you instead

Documents you must provide

When you apply you’ll need to provide:

your certificate of sponsorship reference number - your employer will give you this

a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality

proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they’re applying with you

your tuberculosis (TB) test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test

You need a blank page in your passport for your visa.

You’ll need to provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.

Read the guidance on documents you can provide.

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.

Apply

Read the full guidance before you apply.

Apply from outside the UK

You must apply online for this visa.

You’ll need to have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre (to get a biometric residence permit) as part of your application.

You’ll have to collect your biometric residence permit within 10 days of when you said you’d arrive in the UK.

Apply from inside the UK

You can only extend your existing visa if you’re already in the UK.

Extend your visa

You can apply to extend your Temporary Worker - Charity Worker visa (T5).

You should apply before your current visa expires.

Eligibility

You must continue to meet the eligibility rules.

You must be in the UK to extend your visa.

How long you can stay

You can apply to take your stay in the UK up to a maximum of 12 months, or the time on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.

Fees

Check the fees for this visa.

How to extend your visa

You should read the full guidance before you apply.

You can apply online.

Your partner and children

You can add your partner and children to your online application - including children who have turned 18 during your stay.

Providing biometric information and supporting documents

You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents. You can:

upload them into the online service

have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment

How long it takes

A decision will be made within 8 weeks of your application date if you use the standard service.

If you use the super priority service a decision will be made:

by the end of the next working day after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is on a weekday

2 working days after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is at the weekend

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example because:

your supporting documents need to be verified

you need to attend an interview

of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)

Your partner and children

Your relationship

A dependant partner or child is any of the following:

your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner

your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay

your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependant

You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply.

Your partner

You must be able to prove that either:

you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK

you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply

If your child is 16 or over

They must:

live with you (unless they’re in full-time education at boarding school, college or university)

not be married, in a civil partnership or have any children

be financially supported by you

If your child lives with you, you’ll need to provide evidence of their address such as:

a bank statement

credit card bills

driving licence

NHS registration document

an official letter from their university or college

Money they need to support themselves

Your partner or children must have a certain amount of money available to support themselves while they’re in the UK.

You - or your partner or child - will need:

£285 for your partner

£315 for one child

£200 for each additional child

You’ll usually need to show proof of this when they apply, unless either:

you have all been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months

your employer can cover your family’s costs during your first month in the UK - this must be confirmed on your certificate of sponsorship

Apply from outside the UK

Your partner and children must apply online.

Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee. They must apply before they travel to the UK.

Proving their identity

The visa application centre may need to keep their passport and documents while they process their application.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

They may be able to pay to get their visa faster - check with the visa application centre.

Apply from inside the UK to extend

You can include your partner and children on your application to extend this visa. This includes children who were born or have turned 18 during your stay.

How to apply

Your partner and children must apply online to either:

extend as a partner

extend as a child

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

They may be able to pay to get a faster decision - they’ll be told if they can when they apply.

Children born in the UK

If you have a child while you’re in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen.

You can apply online for their visa as your dependant. You must do this if you want to travel in and out of the UK with your child.

You’ll need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.

You must apply to add them to your visa before they turn 18 if they want to stay in the UK.

receive any payment for work

Overview

You can apply for a Temporary Worker - Charity Worker visa (T5) if:

you want to do unpaid voluntary work for a charity

you meet the other eligibility requirements

This visa has replaced the Tier 5 (Temporary Worker - Charity Worker) visa.

If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

If you or your close family member started living in the UK before 1 January 2021, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme.

Otherwise you need a visa to work in the UK.

Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Sponsorship

You must have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed employer before you can apply to come to the UK to work.

The work you do in the UK must relate to the work of your sponsor organisation.

How long it will take

The earliest you can apply for a visa is 3 months before the date you’re due to start work. This date is on your certificate of sponsorship.

You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK.

Find out about paying for a faster decision.

Application fee

The application fee for each person applying is £244.

The fee is the same whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.

If you’re from an eligible country

Your application fee will be automatically reduced by £55 if you’re from one of the following countries:

This reduction only applies to your visa application. Your partner and children will still need to pay the full application fee.

Healthcare surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.

If you’re applying to extend in the UK

You’ll need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.

Get a faster decision on your application

If you’re applying to extend from inside the UK you can pay an extra £500 for the priority service to get a decision within 5 working days.

You can pay an extra £800 for the super priority service to get a decision:

by the end of the the next working day after your UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) appointment if your appointment is on a weekday

2 working days after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is at the weekend

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

How long you can stay

You can stay for up to 12 months or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.

You can enter the UK up to 14 days before the start date of your job.

What you can and cannot do

You can:

study - for some courses you’ll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate

work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship

do a second job in the same sector at the same level as your main 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

bring your partner and children with you, if they’re eligible

You cannot:

receive any payment for work

take a permanent job

get public funds

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Temporary Worker - Charity Worker visa (T5) you need:

a certificate of sponsorship reference number from your UK sponsor

enough money to support yourself in the UK - you’ll usually need to have at least £1,270 available (unless you’re exempt)

Certificate of sponsorship

Your sponsor will give you the certificate of sponsorship.

Your sponsor must also give you the information they used on your certificate about your job, for example your working hours.

Your sponsor must be recognised by the UK government to issue certificates of sponsorship.

Your certificate of sponsorship is valid for 3 months from the date it is assigned to you.

Multiple entry

Your sponsor can give you a multiple entry certificate of sponsorship so you can leave and return to the UK.

Money to support yourself

You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK.

You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.

You’ll usually need to show proof of this when you apply, unless either:

you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months

your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK, up to £1,270

Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they’re in the UK. Check how much they’ll need.

Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.

If your employer can support you instead

Documents you must provide

When you apply you’ll need to provide:

your certificate of sponsorship reference number - your employer will give you this

a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality

proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they’re applying with you

your tuberculosis (TB) test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test

You need a blank page in your passport for your visa.

You’ll need to provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.

Read the guidance on documents you can provide.

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.

Apply

Read the full guidance before you apply.

Apply from outside the UK

You must apply online for this visa.

You’ll need to have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre (to get a biometric residence permit) as part of your application.

You’ll have to collect your biometric residence permit within 10 days of when you said you’d arrive in the UK.

Apply from inside the UK

You can only extend your existing visa if you’re already in the UK.

Extend your visa

You can apply to extend your Temporary Worker - Charity Worker visa (T5).

You should apply before your current visa expires.

Eligibility

You must continue to meet the eligibility rules.

You must be in the UK to extend your visa.

How long you can stay

You can apply to take your stay in the UK up to a maximum of 12 months, or the time on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.

Fees

Check the fees for this visa.

How to extend your visa

You should read the full guidance before you apply.

You can apply online.

Your partner and children

You can add your partner and children to your online application - including children who have turned 18 during your stay.

Providing biometric information and supporting documents

You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents. You can:

upload them into the online service

have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment

How long it takes

A decision will be made within 8 weeks of your application date if you use the standard service.

If you use the super priority service a decision will be made:

by the end of the next working day after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is on a weekday

2 working days after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is at the weekend

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example because:

your supporting documents need to be verified

you need to attend an interview

of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)

Your partner and children

Your relationship

A dependant partner or child is any of the following:

your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner

your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay

your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependant

You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply.

Your partner

You must be able to prove that either:

you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK

you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply

If your child is 16 or over

They must:

live with you (unless they’re in full-time education at boarding school, college or university)

not be married, in a civil partnership or have any children

be financially supported by you

If your child lives with you, you’ll need to provide evidence of their address such as:

a bank statement

credit card bills

driving licence

NHS registration document

an official letter from their university or college

Money they need to support themselves

Your partner or children must have a certain amount of money available to support themselves while they’re in the UK.

You - or your partner or child - will need:

£285 for your partner

£315 for one child

£200 for each additional child

You’ll usually need to show proof of this when they apply, unless either:

you have all been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months

your employer can cover your family’s costs during your first month in the UK - this must be confirmed on your certificate of sponsorship

Apply from outside the UK

Your partner and children must apply online.

Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee. They must apply before they travel to the UK.

Proving their identity

The visa application centre may need to keep their passport and documents while they process their application.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

They may be able to pay to get their visa faster - check with the visa application centre.

Apply from inside the UK to extend

You can include your partner and children on your application to extend this visa. This includes children who were born or have turned 18 during your stay.

How to apply

Your partner and children must apply online to either:

extend as a partner

extend as a child

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

They may be able to pay to get a faster decision - they’ll be told if they can when they apply.

Children born in the UK

If you have a child while you’re in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen.

You can apply online for their visa as your dependant. You must do this if you want to travel in and out of the UK with your child.

You’ll need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.

You must apply to add them to your visa before they turn 18 if they want to stay in the UK.


I own a company providing holiday rentals to tourists along the Norfolk Coast, which currently has 83 employees. Due to the seasonal (and sometimes sporadic) nature of the business we are thinking of applying for a PSA to cover some of our employee benefits. What are the deadlines to apply for and then to settle a PSA agreement?

A PAYE Settlement Agreement (PSA) allows you to make one annual payment to cover all the tax and National Insurance due on minor, irregular or impracticable expenses or benefits for your employees.

PAYE Settlement Agreements

Overview

If you get a PSA for these items you will not need to:

put them through your payroll to work out tax and National Insurance

include them in your end-of-year P11D forms

pay Class 1A National Insurance on them at the end of the tax year (you pay Class 1B National Insurance as part of your PSA instead)

Some employee expenses are covered by exemptions (which have replaced dispensations). This means you will not have to include them in your end-of-year reports.

What's included

The expenses or benefits you include in a PAYE Settlement Agreement (PSA) must be minor, irregular or impracticable.

Minor

Examples of minor benefits and expenses include:

incentive awards, for example for long-service

telephone bills

small gifts and vouchers

staff entertainment, for example a ticket to an event

non-business expenses while travelling overnight on business that are over the daily limit

You do not need to include trivial benefits in your PSA.

Irregular

Irregular benefits and expenses are things that are not paid at regular intervals over the course of a tax year, for example weekly or monthly. They’re also things that employees do not have a contractual right to. Examples of irregular expenses and benefits include:

relocation expenses over £8,000 (these are tax-free below £8,000)

the cost of attending overseas conferences

expenses of a spouse accompanying an employee abroad

use of a company holiday flat

Impracticable

Impracticable expenses and benefits are things that are difficult to place a value on or divide up between individual employees. Examples of impracticable expenses and benefits include:

staff entertainment that is not exempt from tax or National Insurance Contributions

shared cars

personal care expenses, for example hairdressing

What’s not included

You cannot include wages, high-value benefits like company cars, or cash payments such as:

bonuses

round sum allowances

beneficial loans in a PSA

If you apply after the start of the tax year, there are extra restrictions on what you can include.

How to get a PSA

Write to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Business Tax and Customs describing the expenses and benefits you want the PAYE Settlement Agreement (PSA) to cover.

Once they’ve agreed on what can be included, they’ll send you 2 draft copies of form P626. Sign and return both copies. HMRC will authorise your request and send back a form - this is your PSA.

You’ll need to report anything that cannot be included separately using form P11D. You do not need to send a P11D if you’re paying employees’ expenses and benefits through your payroll.

Use form PSA1 to help you calculate the overall amount you’ll need to pay. If you do not, HMRC will calculate the amount. You’ll be charged more if this happens.

Send the completed form to HMRC as soon as possible after the end of the tax year. They’ll get in touch with you before 19 October following the tax year that the PSA covers to confirm the total tax and National Insurance you need to pay.

You’ll need to give an agent a signed letter of authority to make a PSA on your behalf if they do not have authorisation to do so.

Contact the HMRC employer helpline for advice on getting and calculating your PSA.

What happens next

The agreement will continue until either you or HMRC cancels it or you need to change it. You do not need to renew the PSA each tax year.

Deadlines and payment

The deadline for applying for a PAYE Settlement Agreement (PSA) is 5 July following the first tax year it applies to.

When to pay

You must pay any tax and National Insurance owed under a PSA by 22 October after the tax year the PSA applies to (19 October if you pay by post).

You may be fined or charged interest if you do not pay or your payment is late.

What to pay when the PSA is first approved

If HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) approves your PSA before the start of a tax year, you can include any expenses and benefits contained in the agreement.

If they approve it after the start of the tax year, you might need to report some items separately.

If your PSA is approved before 6 April

You must use form P11D to report expenses and benefits provided before the agreement date that you:

have already included in your employee’s tax code

included (or should have included) in your employee’s PAYE tax and National Insurance deductions

If your PSA is approved between 6 April and 5 July

You must use form P11D to report expenses and benefits provided during the tax year that you:

Change or cancel a PSA

To change the items covered by your PAYE Settlement Agreement (PSA), send details of the changes to the office that issued it. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will send you a revised P626 that you need to sign and return.

Cancel a PSA

To cancel your PSA, fill in the return slip section of the P626 and send it to HMRC.

HMRC will cancel your PSA on the date you put on the return slip.

You need to report any outstanding tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs) due on benefits and expenses using forms P11D and PSA1.

You need to pay any outstanding tax and NICs by 22 October after the tax year the PSA applies to (19 October if you pay by post).

You need to pay any NICs owed on expenses or benefits listed on the P11D form by 22 July after the tax year it applies to (19 July if you pay by post).

If you continue providing benefits after you’ve cancelled your PSA, you need to either:

report them on a P11D form

put them through payroll

You can pay any tax or NICs due via PAYE.

The expenses or benefits you include in a PAYE Settlement Agreement (PSA) must be minor, irregular or impracticable.

PAYE Settlement Agreements

Overview

If you get a PSA for these items you will not need to:

put them through your payroll to work out tax and National Insurance

include them in your end-of-year P11D forms

What's included

Minor

Examples of minor benefits and expenses include:

incentive awards, for example for long-service

telephone bills

small gifts and vouchers

staff entertainment, for example a ticket to an event

non-business expenses while travelling overnight on business that are over the daily limit

You do not need to include trivial benefits in your PSA.

Irregular

relocation expenses over £8,000 (these are tax-free below £8,000)

the cost of attending overseas conferences

expenses of a spouse accompanying an employee abroad

use of a company holiday flat

Impracticable

staff entertainment that is not exempt from tax or National Insurance Contributions

shared cars

personal care expenses, for example hairdressing

What’s not included

You cannot include wages, high-value benefits like company cars, or cash payments such as:

bonuses

round sum allowances

beneficial loans in a PSA

If you apply after the start of the tax year, there are extra restrictions on what you can include.

How to get a PSA

You’ll need to give an agent a signed letter of authority to make a PSA on your behalf if they do not have authorisation to do so.

Contact the HMRC employer helpline for advice on getting and calculating your PSA.

What happens next

Deadlines and payment

The deadline for applying for a PAYE Settlement Agreement (PSA) is 5 July following the first tax year it applies to.

When to pay

You may be fined or charged interest if you do not pay or your payment is late.

What to pay when the PSA is first approved

If they approve it after the start of the tax year, you might need to report some items separately.

If your PSA is approved before 6 April

You must use form P11D to report expenses and benefits provided before the agreement date that you:

have already included in your employee’s tax code

included (or should have included) in your employee’s PAYE tax and National Insurance deductions

If your PSA is approved between 6 April and 5 July

You must use form P11D to report expenses and benefits provided during the tax year that you:

Change or cancel a PSA

Cancel a PSA

To cancel your PSA, fill in the return slip section of the P626 and send it to HMRC.

HMRC will cancel your PSA on the date you put on the return slip.

You need to pay any outstanding tax and NICs by 22 October after the tax year the PSA applies to (19 October if you pay by post).

If you continue providing benefits after you’ve cancelled your PSA, you need to either:

report them on a P11D form

put them through payroll

You can pay any tax or NICs due via PAYE.

PAYE Settlement Agreements

Overview

If you get a PSA for these items you will not need to:

put them through your payroll to work out tax and National Insurance

include them in your end-of-year P11D forms

What's included

The expenses or benefits you include in a PAYE Settlement Agreement (PSA) must be minor, irregular or impracticable.

Minor

Examples of minor benefits and expenses include:

incentive awards, for example for long-service

telephone bills

small gifts and vouchers

staff entertainment, for example a ticket to an event

non-business expenses while travelling overnight on business that are over the daily limit

You do not need to include trivial benefits in your PSA.

Irregular

relocation expenses over £8,000 (these are tax-free below £8,000)

the cost of attending overseas conferences

expenses of a spouse accompanying an employee abroad

use of a company holiday flat

Impracticable

staff entertainment that is not exempt from tax or National Insurance Contributions

shared cars

personal care expenses, for example hairdressing

What’s not included

You cannot include wages, high-value benefits like company cars, or cash payments such as:

bonuses

round sum allowances

beneficial loans in a PSA

If you apply after the start of the tax year, there are extra restrictions on what you can include.

How to get a PSA

You’ll need to give an agent a signed letter of authority to make a PSA on your behalf if they do not have authorisation to do so.

Contact the HMRC employer helpline for advice on getting and calculating your PSA.

What happens next

Deadlines and payment

The deadline for applying for a PAYE Settlement Agreement (PSA) is 5 July following the first tax year it applies to.

When to pay

You may be fined or charged interest if you do not pay or your payment is late.

What to pay when the PSA is first approved

If they approve it after the start of the tax year, you might need to report some items separately.

If your PSA is approved before 6 April

You must use form P11D to report expenses and benefits provided before the agreement date that you:

have already included in your employee’s tax code

included (or should have included) in your employee’s PAYE tax and National Insurance deductions

If your PSA is approved between 6 April and 5 July

You must use form P11D to report expenses and benefits provided during the tax year that you:

Change or cancel a PSA

Cancel a PSA

To cancel your PSA, fill in the return slip section of the P626 and send it to HMRC.

HMRC will cancel your PSA on the date you put on the return slip.

You need to pay any outstanding tax and NICs by 22 October after the tax year the PSA applies to (19 October if you pay by post).

If you continue providing benefits after you’ve cancelled your PSA, you need to either:

report them on a P11D form

put them through payroll

You can pay any tax or NICs due via PAYE.

The deadline for applying for a PAYE Settlement Agreement (PSA) is 5 July following the first tax year it applies to.

PAYE Settlement Agreements

Overview

If you get a PSA for these items you will not need to:

put them through your payroll to work out tax and National Insurance

include them in your end-of-year P11D forms

What's included

The expenses or benefits you include in a PAYE Settlement Agreement (PSA) must be minor, irregular or impracticable.

Minor

Examples of minor benefits and expenses include:

incentive awards, for example for long-service

telephone bills

small gifts and vouchers

staff entertainment, for example a ticket to an event

non-business expenses while travelling overnight on business that are over the daily limit

You do not need to include trivial benefits in your PSA.

Irregular

relocation expenses over £8,000 (these are tax-free below £8,000)

the cost of attending overseas conferences

expenses of a spouse accompanying an employee abroad

use of a company holiday flat

Impracticable

staff entertainment that is not exempt from tax or National Insurance Contributions

shared cars

personal care expenses, for example hairdressing

What’s not included

You cannot include wages, high-value benefits like company cars, or cash payments such as:

bonuses

round sum allowances

beneficial loans in a PSA

If you apply after the start of the tax year, there are extra restrictions on what you can include.

How to get a PSA

You’ll need to give an agent a signed letter of authority to make a PSA on your behalf if they do not have authorisation to do so.

Contact the HMRC employer helpline for advice on getting and calculating your PSA.

What happens next

Deadlines and payment

The deadline for applying for a PAYE Settlement Agreement (PSA) is 5 July following the first tax year it applies to.

When to pay

You may be fined or charged interest if you do not pay or your payment is late.

What to pay when the PSA is first approved

If they approve it after the start of the tax year, you might need to report some items separately.

If your PSA is approved before 6 April

You must use form P11D to report expenses and benefits provided before the agreement date that you:

have already included in your employee’s tax code

included (or should have included) in your employee’s PAYE tax and National Insurance deductions

If your PSA is approved between 6 April and 5 July

You must use form P11D to report expenses and benefits provided during the tax year that you:

Change or cancel a PSA

Cancel a PSA

To cancel your PSA, fill in the return slip section of the P626 and send it to HMRC.

HMRC will cancel your PSA on the date you put on the return slip.

You need to pay any outstanding tax and NICs by 22 October after the tax year the PSA applies to (19 October if you pay by post).

If you continue providing benefits after you’ve cancelled your PSA, you need to either:

report them on a P11D form

put them through payroll

You can pay any tax or NICs due via PAYE.


I am an English resident. I have worked for my employer for five years. My normal working location is 9am till 5pm in office, but this is no longer possible for me. I would like more flexible hours and the ability to work from home. Do I have the right to make a statutory application?

All employees have the legal right to request flexible working - not just parents and carers.

Flexible working

Overview

Flexible working is a way of working that suits an employee’s needs, for example having flexible start and finish times, or working from home.

Flexible working rules are different in Northern Ireland.

This is known as ‘making a statutory application’.

Employees must have worked for the same employer for at least 26 weeks to be eligible.

What employers must do

Employers must deal with requests in a ‘reasonable manner’.

Examples of handling requests in a reasonable manner include:

assessing the advantages and disadvantages of the application

holding a meeting to discuss the request with the employee

offering an appeal process

If an employer does not handle a request in a reasonable manner, the employee can take them to an employment tribunal.

An employer can refuse an application if they have a good business reason for doing so.

Types of flexible working

There are different ways of working flexibly.

Job sharing

Two people do one job and split the hours.

Working from home

It might be possible to do some or all of the work from home or anywhere else other than the normal place of work.

Part time

Working less than full-time hours (usually by working fewer days).

Compressed hours

Working full-time hours but over fewer days.

Flexitime

The employee chooses when to start and end work (within agreed limits) but works certain ‘core hours’, for example 10am to 4pm every day.

Annualised hours

The employee has to work a certain number of hours over the year but they have some flexibility about when they work. There are sometimes ‘core hours’ which the employee regularly works each week, and they work the rest of their hours flexibly or when there’s extra demand at work.

Staggered hours

The employee has different start, finish and break times from other workers.

Phased retirement

Default retirement age has been phased out and older workers can choose when they want to retire. This means they can reduce their hours and work part time.

Applying for flexible working

Employees can apply for flexible working if they’ve worked continuously for the same employer for the last 26 weeks. It’s known as ‘making a statutory application.’

The basic steps are:

The employee writes to the employer.

The employer considers the request and makes a decision within 3 months - or longer if agreed with the employee.

If the employer agrees to the request, they must change the terms and conditions in the employee’s contract.

If the employer disagrees, they must write to the employee giving the business reasons for the refusal.  The employee may be able to complain to an employment tribunal.

Employees can only make one application for flexible working a year.

Writing to the employer

An employee should email or write a letter to their employer.

Employers may ask employees to use a standard form to make an application.

What the email or letter must include

The application must include:

the date

a statement that this is a statutory request

details of how the employee wants to work flexibly and when they want to start

an explanation of how they think flexible working might affect the business and how this could be dealt with, for example if they’re not at work on certain days

a statement saying if and when they’ve made a previous application

Withdrawing an application

Employees should tell their employer in writing if they want to withdraw their application.

The employer can treat an application as withdrawn if the employee misses 2 meetings to discuss an application or appeal without good reason, for example sickness.

The employer must tell the employee they are treating the request as withdrawn.

After the application

Employers must consider flexible working requests in a ‘reasonable manner’.

They should usually make a decision within 3 months of the request (or longer if agreed with the employee).

Agreeing the application

The employer should write to the employee with:

a statement of the agreed changes

a start date for flexible working

They should also change the employee’s contract to include the new terms and conditions.

This should be done as soon as possible but no later than 28 days after the request was approved.

Rejecting an application

The employer must tell the employee that they’ve rejected the application.

Reasons for rejecting

Employers can reject an application for any of the following reasons:

extra costs that will damage the business

the work cannot be reorganised among other staff

people cannot be recruited to do the work

flexible working will affect quality and performance

the business will not be able to meet customer demand

there’s a lack of work to do during the proposed working times

the business is planning changes to the workforce

Appeals

Employees no longer have a statutory right to an appeal.

But offering an appeals process helps to demonstrate that the employer is handling requests in a ‘reasonable manner’.

How to appeal

The employee must follow the company’s procedures for appealing.

The employee or employer should follow the company’s procedures for solving a workplace dispute if a rejected application causes problems.

Going to an employment tribunal

Employees can complain to an employment tribunal if the employer:

did not handle the request in a ‘reasonable manner’

wrongly treated the employee’s application as withdrawn

dismissed or treated an employee poorly because of their flexible working request, for example refused a promotion or pay rise

rejected an application based on incorrect facts

Employees cannot complain to a tribunal just because their flexible working request was rejected.

An employee should complain to the tribunal within 3 months of:

hearing their employer’s decision

hearing their request was treated as withdrawn

the date the employer should have responded to their request (but failed to do so)

If an employer or employee is unsure of their rights, they should get legal advice.

Employees must have worked for the same employer for at least 26 weeks to be eligible.

Flexible working

Overview

Flexible working rules are different in Northern Ireland.

This is known as ‘making a statutory application’.

What employers must do

Employers must deal with requests in a ‘reasonable manner’.

Examples of handling requests in a reasonable manner include:

assessing the advantages and disadvantages of the application

holding a meeting to discuss the request with the employee

offering an appeal process

An employer can refuse an application if they have a good business reason for doing so.

Types of flexible working

There are different ways of working flexibly.

Job sharing

Two people do one job and split the hours.

Working from home

Part time

Working less than full-time hours (usually by working fewer days).

Compressed hours

Working full-time hours but over fewer days.

Flexitime

Annualised hours

Staggered hours

The employee has different start, finish and break times from other workers.

Phased retirement

Applying for flexible working

The basic steps are:

The employee writes to the employer.

Employees can only make one application for flexible working a year.

Writing to the employer

An employee should email or write a letter to their employer.

Employers may ask employees to use a standard form to make an application.

What the email or letter must include

The application must include:

the date

a statement that this is a statutory request

details of how the employee wants to work flexibly and when they want to start

a statement saying if and when they’ve made a previous application

Withdrawing an application

The employer must tell the employee they are treating the request as withdrawn.

After the application

Employers must consider flexible working requests in a ‘reasonable manner’.

Agreeing the application

The employer should write to the employee with:

a statement of the agreed changes

a start date for flexible working

Rejecting an application

The employer must tell the employee that they’ve rejected the application.

Reasons for rejecting

Employers can reject an application for any of the following reasons:

extra costs that will damage the business

the work cannot be reorganised among other staff

people cannot be recruited to do the work

flexible working will affect quality and performance

the business will not be able to meet customer demand

there’s a lack of work to do during the proposed working times

the business is planning changes to the workforce

Appeals

Employees no longer have a statutory right to an appeal.

How to appeal

The employee must follow the company’s procedures for appealing.

Going to an employment tribunal

Employees can complain to an employment tribunal if the employer:

did not handle the request in a ‘reasonable manner’

wrongly treated the employee’s application as withdrawn

rejected an application based on incorrect facts

An employee should complain to the tribunal within 3 months of:

hearing their employer’s decision

hearing their request was treated as withdrawn

the date the employer should have responded to their request (but failed to do so)

If an employer or employee is unsure of their rights, they should get legal advice.

Flexible working

Overview

Flexible working rules are different in Northern Ireland.

This is known as ‘making a statutory application’.

Employees must have worked for the same employer for at least 26 weeks to be eligible.

What employers must do

Employers must deal with requests in a ‘reasonable manner’.

Examples of handling requests in a reasonable manner include:

assessing the advantages and disadvantages of the application

holding a meeting to discuss the request with the employee

offering an appeal process

An employer can refuse an application if they have a good business reason for doing so.

Types of flexible working

There are different ways of working flexibly.

Job sharing

Two people do one job and split the hours.

Working from home

Part time

Working less than full-time hours (usually by working fewer days).

Compressed hours

Working full-time hours but over fewer days.

Flexitime

Annualised hours

Staggered hours

The employee has different start, finish and break times from other workers.

Phased retirement

Applying for flexible working

The basic steps are:

The employee writes to the employer.

Employees can only make one application for flexible working a year.

Writing to the employer

An employee should email or write a letter to their employer.

Employers may ask employees to use a standard form to make an application.

What the email or letter must include

The application must include:

the date

a statement that this is a statutory request

details of how the employee wants to work flexibly and when they want to start

a statement saying if and when they’ve made a previous application

Withdrawing an application

The employer must tell the employee they are treating the request as withdrawn.

After the application

Employers must consider flexible working requests in a ‘reasonable manner’.

Agreeing the application

The employer should write to the employee with:

a statement of the agreed changes

a start date for flexible working

Rejecting an application

The employer must tell the employee that they’ve rejected the application.

Reasons for rejecting

Employers can reject an application for any of the following reasons:

extra costs that will damage the business

the work cannot be reorganised among other staff

people cannot be recruited to do the work

flexible working will affect quality and performance

the business will not be able to meet customer demand

there’s a lack of work to do during the proposed working times

the business is planning changes to the workforce

Appeals

Employees no longer have a statutory right to an appeal.

How to appeal

The employee must follow the company’s procedures for appealing.

Going to an employment tribunal

Employees can complain to an employment tribunal if the employer:

did not handle the request in a ‘reasonable manner’

wrongly treated the employee’s application as withdrawn

rejected an application based on incorrect facts

An employee should complain to the tribunal within 3 months of:

hearing their employer’s decision

hearing their request was treated as withdrawn

the date the employer should have responded to their request (but failed to do so)

If an employer or employee is unsure of their rights, they should get legal advice.


I am a self-employed web designer, operating primarily over the internet while based at home. I work around 160 hrs per month. My internet usage is charged at a single, fixed fee per month with unlimited data transfer. Can I use a flat rate to work out my internet connection expenses?

Simplified expenses are a way of calculating some of your business expenses using flat rates instead of working out your actual business costs.

Simplified expenses if you're self-employed

Overview

You do not have to use simplified expenses. You can decide if it suits your business.

Who can use simplified expenses

Simplified expenses can be used by:

sole traders

business partnerships that have no companies as partners

Simplified expenses cannot be used by limited companies or business partnerships involving a limited company.

Types of expenses

You can use flat rates for:

business costs for some vehicles

working from home

living in your business premises

You must calculate all other expenses by working out the actual costs.

How to use simplified expenses

Keep records your business miles for vehicles, hours you work at home and how many people live at your business premises over the year.

At the end of the tax year use the flat rates for vehicle mileage, working from home, and living at your business premises to work out your expenses.

Include these amounts in the total for your expenses in your Self Assessment tax return.

Use the simplified expenses checker to compare what you can claim using simplified expenses with what you can claim by working out the actual costs. This will help you work out if simplified expenses suits your business.

Vehicles

Calculate your vehicle expenses using a flat rate for mileage instead of the actual costs of buying and running your vehicle, for example insurance, repairs, servicing, fuel.

You can use simplified expenses for:

cars (except cars designed for commercial use, for example black cabs or dual control driving instructors’ cars)

goods vehicles (for example, vans)

motorcycles

You cannot claim simplified expenses for a vehicle you’ve already claimed capital allowances for, or you’ve included as an expense when you worked out your business profits.

Vehicle | Flat rate per mile with simplified expenses

Cars and goods vehicles first 10,000 miles | 45p

Cars and goods vehicles after 10,000 miles | 25p

Motorcycles | 24p

You do not have to use flat rates for all your vehicles. Once you use the flat rates for a vehicle, you must continue to do so as long as you use that vehicle for your business.

You can claim all other travel expenses (for example train journeys) and parking on top of your vehicle expenses.

Working from home

Calculate your allowable expenses using a flat rate based on the hours you work from home each month.

This means you do not have to work out the proportion of personal and business use for your home, for example how much of your utility bills are for business.

The flat rate does not include telephone or internet expenses. You can claim the business proportion of these bills by working out the actual costs.

You can only use simplified expenses if you work for 25 hours or more a month from home.

Hours of business use per month | Flat rate per month

25 to 50 | £10

51 to 100 | £18

101 and more | £26

Living at your business premises

A small number of businesses use their business premises as their home, for example a guesthouse, bed and breakfast or small care home.

You can use simplified expenses instead of working out the split between what you spend for your private and business use of the premises.

With simplified expenses you calculate the total expenses for the premises.

Then use the flat rates to subtract an amount for your personal use of the premises, based on the number of people living on the premises and claim the rest as your business expenses.

Number of people | Flat rate per month

1 | £350

2 | £500

3+ | £650

If someone lives at your business premises for part of the year, you can deduct only the relevant flat rate for the months they live there.

Simplified expenses can be used by:

Overview

Simplified expenses are a way of calculating some of your business expenses using flat rates instead of working out your actual business costs.

You do not have to use simplified expenses. You can decide if it suits your business.

Who can use simplified expenses

Simplified expenses can be used by:

sole traders

business partnerships that have no companies as partners

Simplified expenses cannot be used by limited companies or business partnerships involving a limited company.

Types of expenses

You can use flat rates for:

business costs for some vehicles

working from home

living in your business premises

You must calculate all other expenses by working out the actual costs.

How to use simplified expenses

Keep records your business miles for vehicles, hours you work at home and how many people live at your business premises over the year.

Include these amounts in the total for your expenses in your Self Assessment tax return.

Vehicles

You can use simplified expenses for:

cars (except cars designed for commercial use, for example black cabs or dual control driving instructors’ cars)

goods vehicles (for example, vans)

motorcycles

Vehicle | Flat rate per mile with simplified expenses

Cars and goods vehicles first 10,000 miles | 45p

Cars and goods vehicles after 10,000 miles | 25p

Motorcycles | 24p

You can claim all other travel expenses (for example train journeys) and parking on top of your vehicle expenses.

Working from home

Calculate your allowable expenses using a flat rate based on the hours you work from home each month.

You can only use simplified expenses if you work for 25 hours or more a month from home.

Hours of business use per month | Flat rate per month

25 to 50 | £10

51 to 100 | £18

101 and more | £26

Living at your business premises

A small number of businesses use their business premises as their home, for example a guesthouse, bed and breakfast or small care home.

You can use simplified expenses instead of working out the split between what you spend for your private and business use of the premises.

With simplified expenses you calculate the total expenses for the premises.

Number of people | Flat rate per month

1 | £350

2 | £500

3+ | £650

If someone lives at your business premises for part of the year, you can deduct only the relevant flat rate for the months they live there.

business partnerships that have no companies as partners

Overview

Simplified expenses are a way of calculating some of your business expenses using flat rates instead of working out your actual business costs.

You do not have to use simplified expenses. You can decide if it suits your business.

Who can use simplified expenses

Simplified expenses can be used by:

sole traders

Simplified expenses cannot be used by limited companies or business partnerships involving a limited company.

Types of expenses

You can use flat rates for:

business costs for some vehicles

working from home

living in your business premises

You must calculate all other expenses by working out the actual costs.

How to use simplified expenses

Keep records your business miles for vehicles, hours you work at home and how many people live at your business premises over the year.

Include these amounts in the total for your expenses in your Self Assessment tax return.

Vehicles

You can use simplified expenses for:

cars (except cars designed for commercial use, for example black cabs or dual control driving instructors’ cars)

goods vehicles (for example, vans)

motorcycles

Vehicle | Flat rate per mile with simplified expenses

Cars and goods vehicles first 10,000 miles | 45p

Cars and goods vehicles after 10,000 miles | 25p

Motorcycles | 24p

You can claim all other travel expenses (for example train journeys) and parking on top of your vehicle expenses.

Working from home

Calculate your allowable expenses using a flat rate based on the hours you work from home each month.

You can only use simplified expenses if you work for 25 hours or more a month from home.

Hours of business use per month | Flat rate per month

25 to 50 | £10

51 to 100 | £18

101 and more | £26

Living at your business premises

A small number of businesses use their business premises as their home, for example a guesthouse, bed and breakfast or small care home.

You can use simplified expenses instead of working out the split between what you spend for your private and business use of the premises.

With simplified expenses you calculate the total expenses for the premises.

Number of people | Flat rate per month

1 | £350

2 | £500

3+ | £650

If someone lives at your business premises for part of the year, you can deduct only the relevant flat rate for the months they live there.

You can use flat rates for:

Overview

Simplified expenses are a way of calculating some of your business expenses using flat rates instead of working out your actual business costs.

You do not have to use simplified expenses. You can decide if it suits your business.

Who can use simplified expenses

Simplified expenses can be used by:

sole traders

business partnerships that have no companies as partners

Simplified expenses cannot be used by limited companies or business partnerships involving a limited company.

Types of expenses

You can use flat rates for:

business costs for some vehicles

working from home

living in your business premises

You must calculate all other expenses by working out the actual costs.

How to use simplified expenses

Keep records your business miles for vehicles, hours you work at home and how many people live at your business premises over the year.

Include these amounts in the total for your expenses in your Self Assessment tax return.

Vehicles

You can use simplified expenses for:

cars (except cars designed for commercial use, for example black cabs or dual control driving instructors’ cars)

goods vehicles (for example, vans)

motorcycles

Vehicle | Flat rate per mile with simplified expenses

Cars and goods vehicles first 10,000 miles | 45p

Cars and goods vehicles after 10,000 miles | 25p

Motorcycles | 24p

You can claim all other travel expenses (for example train journeys) and parking on top of your vehicle expenses.

Working from home

Calculate your allowable expenses using a flat rate based on the hours you work from home each month.

You can only use simplified expenses if you work for 25 hours or more a month from home.

Hours of business use per month | Flat rate per month

25 to 50 | £10

51 to 100 | £18

101 and more | £26

Living at your business premises

A small number of businesses use their business premises as their home, for example a guesthouse, bed and breakfast or small care home.

You can use simplified expenses instead of working out the split between what you spend for your private and business use of the premises.

With simplified expenses you calculate the total expenses for the premises.

Number of people | Flat rate per month

1 | £350

2 | £500

3+ | £650

If someone lives at your business premises for part of the year, you can deduct only the relevant flat rate for the months they live there.

working from home

Overview

Simplified expenses are a way of calculating some of your business expenses using flat rates instead of working out your actual business costs.

You do not have to use simplified expenses. You can decide if it suits your business.

Who can use simplified expenses

Simplified expenses can be used by:

sole traders

business partnerships that have no companies as partners

Simplified expenses cannot be used by limited companies or business partnerships involving a limited company.

Types of expenses

You can use flat rates for:

business costs for some vehicles

working from home

living in your business premises

You must calculate all other expenses by working out the actual costs.

How to use simplified expenses

Keep records your business miles for vehicles, hours you work at home and how many people live at your business premises over the year.

Include these amounts in the total for your expenses in your Self Assessment tax return.

Vehicles

You can use simplified expenses for:

cars (except cars designed for commercial use, for example black cabs or dual control driving instructors’ cars)

goods vehicles (for example, vans)

motorcycles

Vehicle | Flat rate per mile with simplified expenses

Cars and goods vehicles first 10,000 miles | 45p

Cars and goods vehicles after 10,000 miles | 25p

Motorcycles | 24p

You can claim all other travel expenses (for example train journeys) and parking on top of your vehicle expenses.

Use the simplified expenses checker to compare what you can claim using simplified expenses with what you can claim by working out the actual costs.

Working from home

Calculate your allowable expenses using a flat rate based on the hours you work from home each month.

The flat rate does not include telephone or internet expenses. You can claim the business proportion of these bills by working out the actual costs.

You can only use simplified expenses if you work for 25 hours or more a month from home.

Hours of business use per month | Flat rate per month

25 to 50 | £10

51 to 100 | £18

101 and more | £26

Living at your business premises

A small number of businesses use their business premises as their home, for example a guesthouse, bed and breakfast or small care home.

You can use simplified expenses instead of working out the split between what you spend for your private and business use of the premises.

With simplified expenses you calculate the total expenses for the premises.

Number of people | Flat rate per month

1 | £350

2 | £500

3+ | £650

If someone lives at your business premises for part of the year, you can deduct only the relevant flat rate for the months they live there.

Overview

Simplified expenses are a way of calculating some of your business expenses using flat rates instead of working out your actual business costs.

You do not have to use simplified expenses. You can decide if it suits your business.

Who can use simplified expenses

Simplified expenses can be used by:

sole traders

business partnerships that have no companies as partners

Simplified expenses cannot be used by limited companies or business partnerships involving a limited company.

Types of expenses

You can use flat rates for:

business costs for some vehicles

working from home

living in your business premises

You must calculate all other expenses by working out the actual costs.

How to use simplified expenses

Keep records your business miles for vehicles, hours you work at home and how many people live at your business premises over the year.

Include these amounts in the total for your expenses in your Self Assessment tax return.

Vehicles

You can use simplified expenses for:

cars (except cars designed for commercial use, for example black cabs or dual control driving instructors’ cars)

goods vehicles (for example, vans)

motorcycles

Vehicle | Flat rate per mile with simplified expenses

Cars and goods vehicles first 10,000 miles | 45p

Cars and goods vehicles after 10,000 miles | 25p

Motorcycles | 24p

You can claim all other travel expenses (for example train journeys) and parking on top of your vehicle expenses.

Use the simplified expenses checker to compare what you can claim using simplified expenses with what you can claim by working out the actual costs.

Working from home

Calculate your allowable expenses using a flat rate based on the hours you work from home each month.

The flat rate does not include telephone or internet expenses. You can claim the business proportion of these bills by working out the actual costs.

You can only use simplified expenses if you work for 25 hours or more a month from home.

Hours of business use per month | Flat rate per month

25 to 50 | £10

51 to 100 | £18

101 and more | £26

Living at your business premises

A small number of businesses use their business premises as their home, for example a guesthouse, bed and breakfast or small care home.

You can use simplified expenses instead of working out the split between what you spend for your private and business use of the premises.

With simplified expenses you calculate the total expenses for the premises.

Number of people | Flat rate per month

1 | £350

2 | £500

3+ | £650

If someone lives at your business premises for part of the year, you can deduct only the relevant flat rate for the months they live there.

Overview

Simplified expenses are a way of calculating some of your business expenses using flat rates instead of working out your actual business costs.

You do not have to use simplified expenses. You can decide if it suits your business.

Who can use simplified expenses

Simplified expenses can be used by:

sole traders

business partnerships that have no companies as partners

Simplified expenses cannot be used by limited companies or business partnerships involving a limited company.

Types of expenses

You can use flat rates for:

business costs for some vehicles

working from home

living in your business premises

You must calculate all other expenses by working out the actual costs.

How to use simplified expenses

Keep records your business miles for vehicles, hours you work at home and how many people live at your business premises over the year.

Include these amounts in the total for your expenses in your Self Assessment tax return.

Vehicles

You can use simplified expenses for:

cars (except cars designed for commercial use, for example black cabs or dual control driving instructors’ cars)

goods vehicles (for example, vans)

motorcycles

Vehicle | Flat rate per mile with simplified expenses

Cars and goods vehicles first 10,000 miles | 45p

Cars and goods vehicles after 10,000 miles | 25p

Motorcycles | 24p

You can claim all other travel expenses (for example train journeys) and parking on top of your vehicle expenses.

Use the simplified expenses checker to compare what you can claim using simplified expenses with what you can claim by working out the actual costs.

Working from home

Calculate your allowable expenses using a flat rate based on the hours you work from home each month.

The flat rate does not include telephone or internet expenses. You can claim the business proportion of these bills by working out the actual costs.

You can only use simplified expenses if you work for 25 hours or more a month from home.

Hours of business use per month | Flat rate per month

25 to 50 | £10

51 to 100 | £18

101 and more | £26

Living at your business premises

A small number of businesses use their business premises as their home, for example a guesthouse, bed and breakfast or small care home.

You can use simplified expenses instead of working out the split between what you spend for your private and business use of the premises.

With simplified expenses you calculate the total expenses for the premises.

Number of people | Flat rate per month

1 | £350

2 | £500

3+ | £650

If someone lives at your business premises for part of the year, you can deduct only the relevant flat rate for the months they live there.

101 and more | £26

Overview

Simplified expenses are a way of calculating some of your business expenses using flat rates instead of working out your actual business costs.

You do not have to use simplified expenses. You can decide if it suits your business.

Who can use simplified expenses

Simplified expenses can be used by:

sole traders

business partnerships that have no companies as partners

Simplified expenses cannot be used by limited companies or business partnerships involving a limited company.

Types of expenses

You can use flat rates for:

business costs for some vehicles

working from home

living in your business premises

You must calculate all other expenses by working out the actual costs.

How to use simplified expenses

Keep records your business miles for vehicles, hours you work at home and how many people live at your business premises over the year.

Include these amounts in the total for your expenses in your Self Assessment tax return.

Vehicles

You can use simplified expenses for:

cars (except cars designed for commercial use, for example black cabs or dual control driving instructors’ cars)

goods vehicles (for example, vans)

motorcycles

Vehicle | Flat rate per mile with simplified expenses

Cars and goods vehicles first 10,000 miles | 45p

Cars and goods vehicles after 10,000 miles | 25p

Motorcycles | 24p

You can claim all other travel expenses (for example train journeys) and parking on top of your vehicle expenses.

Use the simplified expenses checker to compare what you can claim using simplified expenses with what you can claim by working out the actual costs.

Working from home

Calculate your allowable expenses using a flat rate based on the hours you work from home each month.

The flat rate does not include telephone or internet expenses. You can claim the business proportion of these bills by working out the actual costs.

You can only use simplified expenses if you work for 25 hours or more a month from home.

Hours of business use per month | Flat rate per month

25 to 50 | £10

51 to 100 | £18

101 and more | £26

Living at your business premises

A small number of businesses use their business premises as their home, for example a guesthouse, bed and breakfast or small care home.

You can use simplified expenses instead of working out the split between what you spend for your private and business use of the premises.

With simplified expenses you calculate the total expenses for the premises.

Number of people | Flat rate per month

1 | £350

2 | £500

3+ | £650

If someone lives at your business premises for part of the year, you can deduct only the relevant flat rate for the months they live there.