citizenship, volunteering, and visa restrictions on volunteering

Here's a question I've been puzzled about.

If new laws want us to earn citizenship by doing things like being active in the community and volunteering, how can we do that if we aren't allowed to volunteer?

As I understand it, certain visas have restrictions specifically NOT allowing us to volunteer. Plus restrictions that don't allow us to take ANY classes (including, as I understand it, something as simple as a yoga class at the local leisure centre).

I don't understand why these restrictions are in place or what purpose they serve. But I am prepared to follow them. But if I follow them, I'll not be able to be active in the community, and therefore won't qualify for citizenship?

Baffled by what one is supposed to do, and would really appreciate any insights.

I believe those restrictions are only really for visitor visas, which do not lead to settlement anyway.

Well, or fiancées and other temporary categories which would preceed a visa that put you on the path to immigration anyways.  I can't think of any time of visa that would become an "ASBO Citizenship" that has limits on volunteering.

think of it this way- if your visa allows you to work, you can volunteer, and vice versa (the exception of course, is a volunteer visa which allows you to only volunteer!)

Hmmm.... I can't find a reference anywhere, but I thought I read that I couldn't take employment paid or unpaid. Maybe I am remembering it wrong?

As has been said, that depends on what visa you have.


Vicky

It's writer/artist/composer, one of the categories they recently deleted.

Does anybody know where I can go on the web or what office to contact to find out one way or the other?
I'm been wading through mazes of pages on the web but can't seem to find a clear answer. It doesn't help that the visa category has been deleted!

Also unclear on what exactly they mean by "volunteering".
I'm assuming it means registering as a volunteer to get mileage reimbursement and such. But it can't mean volunteering to take my neighbor to the grocery store. And there's a lot of grey area in between those two. Does anyone know how they define "volunteering"?

It was always my understanding that if your visa has a restriction or prohibition on working, it will say so on the actual sticker in your passport.  But I could totally be wrong, I'd be interested to know if that's actually the case!

It was always my understanding that if your visa has a restriction or prohibition on working, it will say so on the actual sticker in your passport.  But I could totally be wrong, I'd be interested to know if that's actually the case!

Well, it could be wrong, too.  Although it says clearly in the Immigration Rules that people in my visa category can't work, they didn't actually put it in my visa.  They did put it in my husband's visa, though, and it's the same category!

My visa doesn't way anything about volunteering or not. Again, it's writer/artist/composer.

Still clear as mud, really longing for a bit of clarity here so I know what it's OK to do vs. not.

Anybody have an answer or know where to look?

Again, looking to understand 1) if I can volunteer, and 2) how "volunteering" is actually defined.

 

The only sort of volunteer work that's allowed are positions that are designated by an organization recognized by the Charities Act and approved by the Charities Commissioner.  That's it.

Lots of people think that to volunteer means you can anything where you don't get paid, but it's not so.  It is just as tightly managed as work permits.  And unless SSHD has given permission, it's illegal.

Even the old favourite for countless American youth, the archeology dig, was axed in 2007. 

Does that mean you cannot help a little old lady across the street?  No it doesn't.  Does it mean that you cannot deliver food to the little old lady's house?  Yes it does

In your case, having an Artist Visa, it would put you in breach.

Does that mean you cannot help a little old lady across the street?  No it doesn't.  Does it mean that you cannot deliver food to the little old lady's house?  Yes it does

I'm not understanding -- what is the key difference is here?

The only sort of volunteer work that's allowed are positions that are designated by an organization recognized by the Charities Act and approved by the Charities Commissioner.

Also not understanding this -- are you saying I'm _allowed_ positions so designated by Charities? I really confused if that's allowed but delivering vegetables to the little old lady isn't. Or are you saying this is the kind of volunteering that would be allowed, for example, under a volunteer visa?

But WHY would it not be OK to deliver veggies to the old lady? What about cleaning a gutter or helping her write a letter? Sorry if this is appearing dense, I'm just baffled.

It also begs the question -- just HOW are you supposed to be an active citizen then if you're not allowed to do these simple things?

I'm confused too.  Does this mean that I can volunteer for something like, say, the RNLI or the Red Cross because they are national charities, but I can't volunteer for a local charity?  I was just about to volunteer to help write our parish newsletter -- is that kind of thing illegal then?

I'm confused too.  Does this mean that I can volunteer for something like, say, the RNLI or the Red Cross because they are national charities, but I can't volunteer for a local charity?  I was just about to volunteer to help write our parish newsletter -- is that kind of thing illegal then?

OK, never mind, I found the webpage for the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator and it seems like most of the local charities are registered there.  No mention there, however, of the local branches of national charities like the RNLI (very active here in the islands, naturally) and Cats Protection.