UK Minister of Religion Visa

What is the Minister of Religion Visa?

The Tier 2 Minister of Religion Visa enables individuals to serve in the UK's faith communities if they have been offered pastoral positions within a religious organisation or faith community in the UK. This visa is specifically designed for those who will play critical roles within their religious communities in the UK, whether as leaders or essential support workers. Eligible applicants must be employed by a licensed sponsor holding a religion visa sponsor license, which ensures that only those who meet the immigration rules are granted entry.

The visa is typically issued for three years and one month, with the option to extend. Holders of this visa can perform various religious duties, such as leading prayer, preaching, officiating weddings, overseeing burial services, planning missionary activities, and translating religious texts.

While working for your sponsor in the job specified on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), you can also volunteer and take on a second job, subject to additional conditions. You can also study, as long as it does not interfere with your primary job.

It's important to note that the Tier 2 Minister of Religion Visa differs from the Temporary Work – Religious Worker Visa, which is intended for non-pastoral roles and valid for a shorter period.

Dependents

You can bring dependents with you on this visa, including a partner and children under the age of 18. Children over 18 may also be eligible if they meet specific criteria. Each family member must apply for a separate visa.

Visa Pathways

Switching to the Minister of Religion Visa

Switching to the Minister of Religion Visa is possible with a job offer as a minister, missionary, or member of a religious order. Those switching from other UK visa types must meet specific eligibility criteria. Potential visas you can switch from include:

• Skilled Worker visa
• Family visa
• Student visa (including Tier 4 General Student Visa)
• Innovator visa
• Investor visa
• Global Talent visa

However, individuals with permission under specific visa routes or those under the Immigration Rules outside these categories are not eligible to switch to the Minister of Religion visa. These visas include:

• Visitor visa
• Short-term Student
• Parent of a Child Student
• Seasonal Worker
• Domestic Worker in a Private Household

Indefinite Leave to Remain

The Minister of Religion Visa paves the way for permanent residency in the UK. Holders can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after residing continuously for five years. This will require an additional set of requirements and demonstrating continuous employment in a qualifying role.

Eligibility for ILR

To be eligible for ILR, Minister of Religion Visa holders must meet additional requirements under the UK’s Immigration Rules, with requirements such as:

• Continuous residence
• Sponsorship and salary threshold
• Knowledge of life in the UK

Eligibility & Requirements

To qualify for a Minister of Religion Visa (T2), The position you are applying for must be central to the religious functions of your sponsoring organisation. While this visa is typically designed for religious leaders, it also extends to those in essential supporting roles within the faith community, such as preaching, pastoral work, and other religious duties. The role must not primarily involve non-pastoral duties (e.g., school teaching, media production, or administrative work) unless it is a senior position within the organisation.

Age and Role Requirements

• Age: You must be over 18 years of age.
• Intent and Suitability: You must demonstrate a genuine intention to undertake the role for which you are being sponsored and prove that you have the necessary skills, qualifications, and experience to perform the job effectively.
• Tuberculosis (TB) Test: If you are applying from a country where TB testing is mandatory, you must provide a valid TB test certificate with your visa application.
• General Grounds for Refusal: Your application must not be subject to the general grounds for refusal, including factors such as criminal convictions, previous breaches of UK immigration laws, or providing false information.

Job Offer and Salary Requirements

• Job Offer: You need a valid job offer as a Minister of Religion from a UK-based religious organisation with a T2 Minister of Religion Visa sponsor license.
• Salary: Your salary must be at least equivalent to what is paid to settled workers in the same role and must comply with the UK’s national minimum wage requirements.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Your sponsoring organisation is responsible for providing a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) that verifies the specifics of your job, including your title, salary, and qualifications. The CoS must also confirm that the job is specifically intended for you and involves performing religious duties within the organisation or as directed by it in the UK. If the sponsor's organisation is a religious order, the CoS should state whether you are a member of that order. The role should not primarily involve non-pastoral work, such as teaching or administrative work, unless it is a senior position. Additionally, the CoS must ensure that the pay and conditions offered meet or exceed those provided to settled workers in the same role and comply with national minimum wage requirements.

For the CoS to be valid, it must be issued by an A-rated licensed sponsor with a valid T2 Minister of Religion sponsor license. The CoS must include a reference number linked to your details and confirm that the job is under the T2 Minister of Religion route. The information in the CoS must match the details in your passport. Furthermore, the CoS must be assigned within three months before the application date and have a start date up to three months after. It cannot have been used in a previously granted or refused application, and it must not have been withdrawn by the sponsor or cancelled by the Home Office.

Financial Requirements

You may be exempt from providing financial evidence if you have been legally living in the UK with a valid visa for 12 months or more or if your sponsor agrees to cover your first month's costs (up to £1,270), as confirmed in your CoS.

• Standard Requirement: If not exempt, you must have at least £1,270 in savings, held for a minimum of 28 days, with the final day being within 31 days of your visa application.
• Dependents: If you have dependants (e.g., a partner or children) joining you, additional funds are required: £285 for your partner, £315 for one child, and £200 for each additional child.

English Language Requirement

• Proficiency: You must demonstrate English proficiency at level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
• How to Meet This Requirement: You can achieve this by passing an approved English language test, holding a degree taught in English, or being a national of an exempt country, such as the following countries:

Required Documents

The documentation requirements for any visa application vary depending on your individual circumstances. However, applications for the Minister of Religion (T2) will typically require supported by the following documents:

1. Valid Passport or Identity Document: A valid passport or travel identity document showing your identity and nationality. It must have at least one blank page for your visa.
2. Certificate of Sponsorship: A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) provided by an authorised UK sponsor. This document validates your proposed religious role and is essential for your visa application.
3. Proof of English Proficiency: Evidence demonstrating your knowledge of English, which could be through recognised language tests or a degree taught in English.
4. Financial Evidence: Proof of sufficient personal savings to support yourself during your stay in the UK. This may include bank statements unless your CoS indicates that your employer will cover these costs.
5. Travel History Documentation: Expired passports or other travel documents may be required to provide evidence of your travel history.
6. Tuberculosis Test Results: If applicable, a clear tuberculosis test result is required, particularly for applicants from countries where this test is mandated.

If any of your documents are not in English or Welsh, you must provide a certified translation alongside the original documentation.

Application Fees

The Minister of Religion Visa application fee varies depending on the application location. If applying from within the UK, the cost is £827, while it is £719 if applying from outside the UK. Additionally, all dependents applying to join the visa holder must pay the same application fee.

Additionally, there is a £19.20 biometric charge for capturing fingerprints and photographs.

Immigration Health Surcharge

Apart from the application fee, applicants must pay the UK Immigration Health Surcharge, which is £1,035 per year for adults and £779 per year for those under 18 at the time of application.

Processing Times

The processing time for the Minister of Religion Visa typically takes about three weeks when applying from outside the UK. You can apply up to 3 months in advance.

Most applications to extend a stay as a T2 Minister of Religion are decided within 8 weeks, during which applicants can continue working.

Priority and Super Priority Services

For faster processing of your Minister of Religion Visa application, you may be able to opt for premium services, depending on where you apply:

• Priority Service: This service costs an additional £500 on top of the standard application fee and typically provides a decision within 5 working days.
• Super Priority Service: For an extra £1,000, the super-priority service aims to deliver a decision by the end of the next working day after your appointment, provided the appointment is on a weekday.

How to Apply for the Minister of Religion Visa

The Minister of Religion Visa application process is made online via the government website. To apply:

1. Prepare the Required Documents: Gather and upload the necessary documents, including your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number, proof of English proficiency, financial evidence, a valid passport, and travel history.

2. Submit Your Online Application: Complete the application online via the UK government website, ensuring all personal information is provided in English.

3. Pay the Visa Fees: Pay the visa application fee, typically £298 per person, and the healthcare surcharge.

4. Book a Biometric Appointment: Schedule an appointment at a visa application centre to provide your fingerprints and photographs.

5. Await a Decision: Most applications are processed within 3 weeks if applying from outside the UK. You will be notified once a decision has been made.

Application Process for Dependents

Each dependent must submit a separate online application and pay the visa fee of £719, ensuring proper documentation and inclusion in the visa application process.

Extending Your Visa

If your Minister of Religion (T2) visa application is approved, you can stay in the UK for the length of your job plus 14 days, or for 3 years and 1 month—whichever is shorter. You can stay on this visa for up to 6 years in total. If you're applying from within the UK, your stay will be extended based on your job's length, 3 years, or the time left within the 6-year limit, whichever is shorter.

To extend your visa, you'll need to secure a new Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer for an extended period.

Conditions and Restrictions

Applicants granted entry clearance or permission to stay under the T2 Minister of Religion route must adhere to the following conditions:

Employment Restrictions

• They must work for their sponsor in the job specified on their Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
• They may take on supplementary employment, provided it is at most 20 hours per week and occurs outside the working hours covered by the CoS.
• They can engage in unpaid voluntary work if they are not paid or receive any money except for reasonable expenses.

Public Funds

• They have no access to public funds.

Study

• Study is permitted, subject to the conditions outlined in the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) in Appendix ATAS.

Refused Minister of Religion Application

If your visa application is refused, you can consider requesting an Administrative Review if there were procedural errors or submit a fresh Application. QC Immigration can analyse the reason for refusal and your latest circumstances to decide the best course of action moving forward.

It is important to address common reasons for refusal, such as incorrect or insufficient information and submit documents in the improved format.

How QC Immigration can help

The Minister of Religion Visa provides a pathway for religious workers seeking to serve faith communities at a UK religious institution. This visa allows you to bring dependents and can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and British citizenship if you meet the eligibility requirements and spend the necessary time in the UK.

To apply, you must have a job offer as a minister of religion from a religious organisation that holds a Sponsor Licence. Additionally, you need to meet financial and English language proficiency requirements, secure a Certificate of Sponsorship, and provide the necessary documentation. These are all crucial steps for a successful application, and the required documents may vary depending on your individual circumstances.

At QC Immigration, we specialise in UK immigration and have helped many individuals with both straightforward and complex Minister of Religion applications. Since the right application route depends on your unique circumstances, we recommend consulting with our highly experienced team of immigration lawyers before proceeding. We aim to save you time and money while making the application process as smooth and stress-free as possible.