Minister of Religion Visa UK (T2)

What is a Minister of Religion Visa in UK?

If you have been offered a job with a religious organisation or institution, you can apply for a Minister of Religion Visa.

The T2 Minister of Religion Visa allows foreign nationals to enter and live in the UK to take on various positions in the religious order, such as minister, missionary, or religious worker. Once granted, the visa lasts three years and one month.

A UK Minister of Religion visa holder is permitted various religious duties in the UK, including:

• Leading prayer
• Preaching religious values
• Overseeing weddings
• Overseeing burial services
• Planning missionary work
• Translating religious texts
• Coordinating volunteers.

A pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain after living for five years in the UK is possible.

You might apply for the UK Religious Worker Visa instead if you will be mostly performing non-pastoral duties for a faith-based organisation or other religious institutions. This could include administrative and clerical work.

Contact our knowledge team today for further information on whether the Minister of Religion Visa suits you.

What Can You Do on a UK Minister of Religion Visa?

With the Minister of Religion Visa, you can:

• Live in the UK for up to three years and one month
• Work for your sponsor in the job described on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
• Volunteer
• Take on a second job in certain circumstances
• Study as long as it doesn’t interfere with your job.

The Minister of Religion visa also allows you to travel abroad, return to the UK, and bring family members while living here. 

The family members that you can bring with you include your partner, children under the age of 18 and children over the age of 18 if they are eligible. If you wish to bring family members, they must make separate visa applications.

What can’t you do?

Minister of Religion Visa holders are not permitted to:

• Access public funds in the UK
• Hold more than 10 per cent of their Sponsor’s shares (unless they earn more than £159,600 a year).

How much is the Minister of Religion Visa Cost?

The Minister of Religion Visa typically costs £769 to apply from outside the UK and £885 to extend or switch to this visa type in the UK. An application for dependent partners or children on this visa type is possible. Dependents must apply separately, and the same visa fees apply.

In addition to the visa application fees, applicants must pay the UK Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This should cover the entire duration of the visa. The IHS costs £1035 per year. Sponsors are permitted to pay the IHS fee on behalf of the visa applicant. If so, it should be clearly stated in the employment or sponsorship agreement terms.

Minister of Religion Visa Eligibility Requirements

There are specific criteria for which Minister of Religion visa applicants must qualify. You must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Possess a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or Religion Visa sponsor licence corresponding to your role in the UK.
• Hold a job offer as a Minister of Religion from a licensed sponsor within the UK. The sponsoring employer must possess a Minister of Religion Visa sponsor license.
• Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support yourself while in the UK.

Those not planning on being religious leaders in the UK permitted on a Minister of Religion Visa and looking to do some work for a religious organisation within the faith community might instead apply for the Religious Worker visa.

Contact IAS immigration lawyers to determine your eligibility for UK religious visas. We can assist your application with supporting documentation to give it the best possible chance of success.

Documents Required for Minister of Religion Visa

When applying for your Minister of Religion visa, you must provide the following documents:

• Certificate of Sponsorship Reference Number: Provided by your employer.
• Proof of English Proficiency: Evidence of your knowledge of English.
• Financial Evidence: Proof you have sufficient personal savings to support yourself in the UK. This could include bank statements. Or your certificate of sponsorship might indicate that your employer will cover your costs.
• Valid Passport or Identity Document: A passport or travel identity document showing your identity and nationality. It must have at least one blank page for your visa.
• Travel History Documentation: Expired passports or travel documents, if needed, to show your travel history.
• Tuberculosis Test Results: If you’re from a country where this is required.

You must provide a certified translation if the documents are not English or Welsh.

Additional documents may be required depending on your specific circumstances.

Minister of Religion Visa Financial Requirements

To demonstrate you can support yourself in the UK, you must have at least £1,270 in your bank account. This amount must have been held for at least 28 days, with the 28th day falling within 31 days of your visa application.

Typically, you must provide proof of these funds when you apply. However, there are exceptions if:

• You’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months.
• Your employer agrees to cover your first month’s expenses in the UK, up to £1,270.

Additionally, your partner and children must also prove they can support themselves. Ensure you check the specific amounts required for them.

Minister of Religion Visa Application Process

Once submitted, the Minister of Religion application process typically takes up to 3 weeks. You can apply up to 3 months in advance. A priority service may be available depending on the country and visa application centre you apply to.

If available, the Priority Service is £500 for a decision within 5 working days, and the Super-Priority Service is £1000 for a decision within 24 hours. Both services are an additional expense to your application fee.

Criteria for English Language Proficiency for Minister of Religion Visa

To successfully apply for a Minister of Religion visa, you need to meet English Language requirements. You can do this by demonstrating:

• Proficiency in English (reading, writing, speaking, and understanding) at level B2 on the CEFR scale, backed by an English language test, or
• Holding a degree taught in English, or
• Hailing from one of the exempt countries listed, which include 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.

Visa Eligibility for Dependents of a Minister of Religion

As a Minister of Religion Visa holder, you can bring your partner and dependent children with you to the UK. Each family member must apply separately online before coming to the UK and will need to pay the appropriate application fee.

Eligible dependents include your spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, or legal partner, as well as children under 18. If your child is over 18 and already in the UK as your dependent, they can also apply, provided they are not financially independent or leading a separate life, unless they are in boarding school or university.

All visas for your dependents will have the same expiration date as your visa.

Requirements for Employers to Sponsor a Minister of Religion

Any employers looking to employ a Minister of Religion worker from overseas should ensure they understand their obligations as a sponsor. They must ensure they:

• Have a valid sponsor license for the specific routes.
• Understand general worker sponsorship requirements.
• Know the religious work routes and eligible individuals.
• Consider resident labour requirements for Religious Workers.
• Offer fair pay and conditions like settled workers.
• Confirm worker’s eligibility for the chosen route.
• Issue a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and pay the fee.
• Appoint eligible Key Personnel for license management.
• Keep thorough records, including recruitment details.
• Follow all sponsor obligations.

It can be challenging hiring workers from overseas and employers should consider using the services of a professional immigration lawyer to ensure they follow all UK immigration and employment law before starting recruitment.

Can I Extend my Minister of Religion Visa in UK?

Yes, you may be able to apply for a Minister of Religion Visa extension to stay for an additional three years.

To be able to extend your visa you will have to demonstrate that you are still needed in your minister of religion role and must prove that you can meet the same requirements as when you applied for your T2 Minister of Religion Visa.

You will need to submit an application before your current visa expiries and pay all association costs. Your dependents will also need to apply to renew their visas at the same time.

Obtaining ILR via the Minister of Religion Visa

Holders of the Minister of Religion are able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) status. Obtaining ILR means there is no need to apply for additional visas and removes the need to pay the Healthcare Surcharge, as well as being a crucial step towards British citizenship.

To qualify for ILR, you must:

• Have met the 5 years continuous residence period in the UK on a Minister of Religion visa or other qualifying visa.
• Have passed the Life in the UK Test
• Meet the English language requirements either with a qualification at B1, B2, C1 or C2 level or hold a degree taught or researched in English.
• Demonstrate you are still employed in a qualifying role.

How can IAS help with a Minister of Religion Visa application?

The dedicated lawyers at IAS can assist you with your inquiries and application for a UK Visa, as well as assisting businesses with sponsoring individuals on the Minister of Religion visa. For applicants, we will check that the role you are applying for qualifies for this category of T2 Visa, organise the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your UK Sponsor and perform an extensive document check.

We can fill in the application form and submit it on your behalf. As well as this, we can liaise with the Home Office to stay updated about your applications progress.

We will also prepare a Letter of Representation to accompany your application that will increase your chances of success. Our lawyers will also be here to answer any questions that you may have about the Minister of Religion visa application process for applicants, and employers looking to sponsor on the visa.

Contact us today on +44 (0)333 414 9244 or make an enquiry online for more information on how to obtain your T2 Minister of Religion Visa UK.