Who the Minister of Religion visa is for
The Minister of Religion visa is for people who have been offered a job within a faith community: a minister of religion, a missionary, or a member of a religious order. It is a sponsored route, so the faith organisation must hold a sponsor licence and assign you a certificate of sponsorship before you can apply.
What you need
- A job with a licensed sponsor, and the certificate of sponsorship that records it. You can apply up to three months before the start date on the certificate.
- English at level B2 on the CEFR scale, shown by a secure English test, a UK degree, or an overseas degree taught in English and confirmed by Ecctis. Nationals of the main English-speaking countries are exempt.
- Personal savings of £1,270, held for 28 days in a row, unless your sponsor certifies your maintenance.
- Your travel history for the last five years and, if you are from a listed country, a tuberculosis test result.
- To be 18 or over.
Fees
| Application | Fee |
|---|---|
| From outside the UK | £819 |
| Extending or switching from inside the UK | £943 |
| Priority service, decision in 5 working days (inside the UK only) | £500 extra |
| Super priority, decision the next working day (inside the UK only) | £1,000 extra |
Each dependant pays the same application fee, and everyone pays the immigration health surcharge. See the health surcharge guide. A decision from outside the UK usually takes about three weeks.
Partner and children
Your partner and children can apply as dependants. Each makes a separate application and pays the fee, and they must show funds of £285 for a partner, £315 for a first child and £200 for each further child, held for 28 days. They can work, subject to the usual limits, and children can study.
Length and settlement
The visa lasts for up to 3 years and 1 month, or the length of your sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter. You can extend it. After five years in the UK on the route you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
What you can do on the visa
You can work for your sponsor in the job on your certificate, do voluntary work and, in some circumstances, take a second job. You cannot claim public funds.
The sponsor’s side
The sponsoring organisation takes on duties under its licence: keeping records, reporting changes and making sure the role is genuine. A problem with the licence, such as suspension or revocation, affects every worker it sponsors. See sponsor licences and suspension and revocation.
How we help
We advise faith organisations on obtaining and keeping a licence, and individuals on whether the role meets the rules, the evidence they need, and extension and settlement. A consultation costs from £99.
