Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Temporary Work - Charity Worker visa route in supporting the UK’s voluntary sector.

The Government recognises that the Charity Worker route supports the UK’s voluntary sector by enabling individuals to come to the UK to do voluntary, unpaid work for up to a maximum of 12 months. The work must not be filling a permanent position, including on a temporary basis. No formal assessment of the route has been undertaken.

Charities can use other immigration routes if they wish to employ someone in a paid role or permanent position.

Furthermore, a Visitor may undertake volunteering, provided it lasts no more than 30 days in total and is for a charity that is registered with either the Charity Commission for England and Wales; the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland; or the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.