UK visas should be easier to obtain for volunteers

July 08 2009 by Mark Johnstone

UK visa rules must help volunteers

Volunteers who would like to work in the UK should be able to apply quickly and easily for UK work visas, according to volunteer organisations.

Volunteer England is calling for a clarification on the UK points-based system rules for foreign volunteers applying for UK visas to work in the UK.

"It is a hideously complicated process that urgently needs reviewing," according to Volunteer England’s public affairs director, Mike Locke, who is concerned that the amount of red tape involved in the application process could put people off who want to move to the UK to volunteer.

The confusion lies in the definition of volunteering. In addition, under the Tier 5 rules, voluntary organisations which accept foreign workers must hold a £400 license to receive the workers from abroad and volunteers must apply for a UK visa.

Other volunteering organisations including the Volunteer Development Agency, which is based in Northern Ireland, say it is unclear whether larger organisations can act as umbrella bodies to help smaller charities that can’t afford the license.

Volunteering charity CSV also claims that the delay in UK visa application processing is leading to long delays in the provision of volunteer workers where they are most needed.

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