The Minister of Religion Visa is one of the UK work visa routes designed for individuals who wish to work as religious missionaries or members of a religious order within a faith-based organization in the UK. Applicants must secure a job offer and be sponsored by a licensed employer.
Holders of the Minister of Religion Visa may carry out a range of duties, including:
Leading religious prayers and meetings.
Teaching and preaching religious values.
Officiating ceremonies, including weddings, funerals, and special services.
Providing counseling and welfare support to members of the faith community.
Overseeing volunteer training and coordination.
Planning and supervising missionary work.
Managing personnel, finance, IT, and administrative duties (if in a senior role).
Interpreting and teaching religious texts.
This visa is typically granted for up to 3 years and 1 month, with the possibility of further extensions.
After 5 years, visa holders can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), and after an additional year, they may apply for UK citizenship.
As a Minister of Religion Visa holder, you can:
Work full-time for your sponsoring religious organization.
Take on a second job (subject to additional conditions).
Engage in voluntary work.
Study part-time, as long as it does not interfere with your sponsored role.
Travel freely in and out of the UK.
Bring your dependant partner and children to live with you in the UK.
If intending to study in an educational institution not managed by the religious order, an application under the Student Visa route is required.
If planning to work full-time as a teacher in a school run by the religious organization, the Skilled Worker Visa may be more appropriate.
To qualify, applicants must:
Be at least 18 years old.
Have a job offer as a Minister of Religion from a UK licensed sponsor.
Hold a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
Meet the English language requirement.
Demonstrate sufficient financial resources.
Provide a travel history for the last five years.
Submit a clear tuberculosis (TB) test result (if applicable).
Not own more than 10% of their sponsor’s shares, unless earning over £159,600 per year.
A Minister of Religion Visa requires a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by a religious organization with a valid T2 Minister of Religion Visa sponsor license.
Employers must confirm that:
The applicant is qualified for the role.
The job involves pastoral or missionary duties.
The role does not primarily involve non-pastoral duties (e.g., school teaching, administrative tasks, or media production), unless the role is a senior position.
The Home Office guidance states that the salary must:
Match the rate paid to settled workers in similar roles.
Comply with UK National Minimum Wage regulations.
Applicants must meet one of the following conditions:
Have lived in the UK for at least 12 months before applying.
Have an A-rated sponsor willing to cover maintenance and accommodation for the first month.
Show £1,270 in personal savings, held for at least 28 consecutive days.
If applying with dependants, additional funds are required:
£285 for a partner.
£315 for one child.
£200 for each additional child.
Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency by:
Passing a recognized English language test (CEFR Level B2 or higher).
Holding a degree taught in English.
Being from an exempt English-speaking country.
This visa can be extended for up to 3 more years, allowing a total stay of 6 years.
To qualify for an extension, applicants must:
Continue meeting all eligibility criteria.
Obtain a new Certificate of Sponsorship.
Provide proof of financial maintenance.
| Extension Fee | £719 per person |
Processing time: Up to 8 weeks.
Applicants can continue working while waiting for a decision from the Home Office.
| Feature | Minister of Religion Visa | Religious Worker Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Long-term (2+ years) | Short-term (<2 years) |
| Path to ILR | Yes | No |
| Primary Role | Pastoral & missionary duties | Religious or non-pastoral duties |
| Job Offer Required | Yes | Yes |
| Sponsorship Required | Yes | Yes |
| Financial Requirement | £1,270 | £1,270 |
| Application Fee | £719 (outside UK) | £298 per person |
The Minister of Religion Visa provides a direct route to permanent settlement (ILR). ILR grants greater employment flexibility, removes the need for future visa applications, and waives the immigration healthcare surcharge.
To qualify for ILR, applicants must:
Complete 5 years of continuous residence in the UK.
Pass the Life in the UK test.
Meet the English language requirement (CEFR Level B1 or higher).
Provide evidence of ongoing sponsorship.
Once ILR is granted, applicants can apply for British citizenship after 12 months.
Visa holders can bring eligible family members, including:
Spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner (must prove a relationship of at least 2 years).
Children under 18.
Children over 18, if financially dependent.
| Additional Funds Required for Dependants |
| £285 for a partner |
| £315 for one child |
| £200 for each additional child |
Initially granted for up to 3 years and 1 month.
Can be extended for an additional 3 years.
ILR can be applied for after 5 years.
Yes, if:
The job does not exceed 20 hours per week.
It is in the same profession or on the Skilled Worker shortage occupation list.
It is unpaid voluntary work.
Yes, switching is allowed from visas including:
Skilled Worker Visa
Family Visa
Student Visa
Innovator Visa
Investor Visa
Global Talent Visa
For expert guidance on the Minister of Religion Visa, contact Visa Solutions UK at info@visasolutions.uk.
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It is a long established fact that a reader will be distr acted bioiiy the rea dablea content of a page when looking at its layout Thoiie point of using.It is a long this established fact that a reader
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distr acted bioiiy the rea dablea content of a page when looking at its layout Thoiie point of using.It is a long this established fact that a reader
