Tier 3 encompasses unskilled, temporary migration for employment that is largely seasonal in nature.

Tier 3 was designed to replace schemes such as the current Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) and the Sectors Based Scheme (SBS). Tier 3 is currently suspended.

For tier 3 visas the sponsor will be the operator of a particular low skilled worker scheme and the certificate will serve as confirmation that the applicants who are immigrating to the UK will be bound by the terms of the route.  

Unlike a Tier 1 visa or a Tier 2 visa, applications at the tier 3 level do not constitute a route to settlement and will not provide you with an an opportunity to apply for permanent residence in the UK. A visa for the third tier of the five tier immigration system will be granted for a maximum of 12 months and you will be obliged to return home at the end of this period. Switching to other tiers is not permitted and UK visas of this kind do not make provision for spouse and dependant immigration.