Minister of Religion Visa UK
The Minister of Religion visa is part of the UK’s work visa routes and is designed for individuals who want to work as a member of a religious order or a religious missionary within a faith based organisation or religious order in the UK.
To be eligible, applicants must have a job offer and be sponsored by a sponsor licence holder. This visa allows both EEA and non EEA nationals to enter and live in the UK, and once granted, it lasts for a maximum of 3 years and 1 month, and this can be extended further.
After 5 years, Minister of Religion visa holders may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain(ILR), and after a further year, UK citizenship.
With a Minister of Religion visa, you maybe to
- Work full time for your sponsor in the UK
- Work for a second employer but does not exceed 20 hours per week
- Carry out voluntary work
- Study part time
- Travel to and from the UK freely
- Bring your eligible dependant partner and children to live with you in the UK
- Minister of Religion visa holder may be eligible to apply for settlement in the UK
“Dependant” means that your child is not living a separate life and is financially independent (unless they are attending a boarding school or live away at university)
Range of duties Minister of Religion visa applicants may carry out
- Leading prayer and religious meetings
- Teaching or preaching religious values
- Officiate events including weddings, burial and special services
- Offering counselling to members and welfare support to members
- Conducting HR activities for the purpose of coordinating the work of volunteers, including the training of preachers
- Coordinating the missionary activities with exception to clerical or administrative activities unless filling a position for a senior
- Observing and directing the activities of other staff
- Planning missionary work
- Take charge of activities such as personnel management, IT, accounts or finance, and Interpreting religious text.
Minister of Religion visa comes with Special considerations
- Where an applicant plans to undertake study in an educational organisation that is not managed by the religious order, they will need to make an application as a student under the student visa route.
- Where an applicant intends to work a full time job as a teacher in a school that is managed by the religious body or missionary organisation, they will need to make an application as a teacher under the Skilled Worker category rather than applying for the Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) visa.
- What are the requirements of a Minister of Religion visa (T2)?
- Minister of Religion Visa Extension
- Minister of Region Visa vs Religious Worker Visa
- Minister of religion to Indefinite Leave to Remain
- Dependant of Minister of Religion Visa holder
- What are the requirements for a dependent of a Minister of Religion Visa holder in the UK?
- How long can I stay on the minister of religion?
- Minister of Religion Visa to ILR
What are the requirements of a Minister of Religion visa (T2)
Applicants must met the eligibility requirements and score 70 points on the UK points based system
- Be at least 18 years
- Have a job offer as a Minister of Religion from a licensed sponsor in the UK (the employer must have a T2 Minister of Religion Visa sponsor licence)
- Have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for the role you will be carrying out in the UK
- Pay the Healthcare surcharge
- Be able to support yourself in the UK (Have a minimum of £1,270 which must be available for at least 28 days in a row, with day 28 falling within 31 days of your visa application)
- You will need to show additional funds of £285 for your partner, £315 for one child, and £200 for each additional child.
- Have evidence of your travel history in the last 5 years before applying
- Have a clear tuberculosis test result (this only applies if you are from a listed country)
- Not own more than 10% of your sponsor’s shares (unless you earn more than £159,600 a year)
- Meet the English language requirements of at least level B2 for (reading, writing, speaking and listening), unless your country is exempt. Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the USA.
Minister of Religion Visa Extension
Once your Minister of Religion visa is approved, it will be granted for an initial period of 3 years and 1 month, or the length of time on your Certificate of Sponsorship (plus 14 days), whichever is shorter. You can extend your Minister of Religion visa for another 3 years or the duration of your sponsorship, allowing you to stay for a total of up to 6 years.
To extend your visa, you are still required to meet the same eligibility rules as when you first applied, have a new Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer, complete the online application form, provide proof of identity, pay the application fee, and provide any requested documents.
To apply for an extension of the Minister of Religion Visa, you will need to:
- Complete the online application form
- Provide proof of identity
- Pay the online application fee of £719 (for each person applying to extend)
- Provide any documents requested by the Home Office (you will be given a list of these when you apply).
Minister of Religion visa extension applications typically take around 8 weeks to process. However, you can continue working in the role of a Minister of Religion while you are waiting for a decision from the Home Office.
Minister of Region Visa vs Religious Worker Visa
Minister of Religion Visa
- Specifically for ordained religious leaders and ministers missionaries, members of religious orders
- Eligibility for ILR After 5 years for EEA and non EEA nationals
- Part of the point based system for skilled individuals.
- For skilled workers offered a job in a faith community or religious organisation, such as ministers of religion, missionaries, or members of religious orders.
- Requires applicants to score 70 points: 50 for religion visa requirements for attributes, 10 for performance, and 10 for English.
- Requires a job offer from a religious worker or an employer (sponsor) based in the UK, which will require a Certificate of Sponsorship.
- Processing Time Approximately 3 weeks if applying from outside the UK
- Cost of Extension £719 for each person applying to extend outside the UK and £827 extend or switch.
Religious Worker Visa
- A subcategory of the Temporary Worker Visa.
- Allows individuals to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months.
- Encompasses roles such as religious workers undertaking supporting activities, visiting religious workers, and members of religious orders.
- Eligibility for ILR Dependent on the specific visa route and individual circumstances
- Processing Time Dependent on the specific visa route and individual circumstances
- Cost of Extension Dependent on the specific visa route and individual circumstances
The Religious Worker visa is a subcategory of the Temporary Worker Visa, which has recently replaced the T5 (Temporary Worker) Religious Visa. It is for those who wish to work temporarily in a non pastoral role, religious order, or as a visiting religious worker. The visa allows individuals to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months.
Minister of religion to Indefinite Leave to Remain
The Minister of Religion (T2) Visa in the UK provides a direct route to settlement, known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), after a continuous period of 5 years. This settlement status offers significant advantages, including the removal of the need to apply for further visas, increased flexibility in employment and study, and exemption from the costly immigration healthcare surcharge.
To qualify for ILR under the Minister of Religion Visa, the following conditions must be met:
- Completion of a continuous 5 year residence period in the UK under the Minister of Religion visa, which can include time spent on other eligible visas such as Skilled Worker, Global Talent, or Innovator Founder.
- Successful passing of the Life in the UK test.
- Meeting the English language proficiency requirements, demonstrated through an English language qualification at the required level or a degree taught or researched in English.
- Evidence of ongoing sponsorship by the employer and continued compliance with sponsorship requirements.
The T2 Minister of Religion Visa allows both EEA and non EEA nationals to enter and live in the UK. The initial visa is typically granted for a maximum of three years and one month, and it can be extended. The processing time for the initial T2 Minister of Religion Visa is approximately three weeks if applying from outside the UK. The visa also allows individuals to bring their eligible dependents, including their partner and children, into the UK.
Dependant of Minister of Religion Visa holder
Each dependent family member must submit a separate online application before travelling to the UK.
An eligible dependent may include:
- Your husband, wife, civil partner, or unmarried partner
- Your child under 18
- Your child over 18 if they are currently in the UK as your dependent, provided they are not living a separate life and are financially independent (unless they are attending a boarding school or living away at university).
Visa’s granted to your dependents will be valid for the same period as your visa, meaning they will all have the same expiry date.
What are the requirements for a dependent of a Minister of Religion Visa holder in the UK?
The process for applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for dependents of a Minister of Religion visa holder in the UK involves several key steps and requirements.
Eligibility for ILR as a Dependent
- Dependants, including partners and children, can apply for ILR after 5 years of living in the UK on a Family Visa or as a dependent of a work or business visa holder.
- The main visa holder’s last work visa must be one of the specified categories, such as Skilled Worker, Tier 2 (General), Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent), or other relevant visas.
Application Process
- Each family member, including dependants, must make a separate online application before travelling to the UK.
Financial Requirements
- Dependants may need to satisfy a financial requirement, which can vary based on the specific circumstances and the duration of their stay in the UK.
The exact requirements for ILR as a dependent may vary depending on individual circumstances, and it’s advisable to seek expert advice from an immigration lawyer to ensure all criteria are met.
How long can I stay on the minister of religion?
If granted, the Tier 2 Minister of Religion Visa allows you to stay in the UK for a maximum of up to 3 years and 1 month, or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter. You can apply to extend your stay
After 5 years, you may be able to apply indefinite leave to remain
Minister of Religion Visa to ILR
The Minister of Religion visa offers a direct pathway to permanent settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain – ILR) in the UK. ILR provides significant benefits, including the elimination of the need to apply for further visas, increased flexibility for employment and study, and exemption from the costly immigration healthcare surcharge.
To qualify for ILR, the following conditions must be met:
- Completion of a continuous 5-year residence period in the UK under a Minister of Religion visa, which can include time spent on other visas such as Tier 1, Skilled Worker, Innovator, or Representative of an overseas business visa.
- Successful completion of the Life in the UK test.
- Meeting the English language requirements by possessing an English language qualification at B1, B2, C1, or C2 level, or holding a degree taught or researched in English.
- Providing evidence of ongoing sponsorship by the employer and continued compliance with sponsorship requirements.
The Minister of Religion visa allows for settlement in the UK after 5 years, granting the right to live, work, and study in the country without time restrictions. Additionally, it enables individuals to apply for benefits if eligible. The visa also permits travel abroad and return to the UK.
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