The Minister of Religion visa is for people taking a leading role in a faith community in the UK: ministers, priests, imams, rabbis, missionaries and members of religious orders whose work is to lead worship, preach and provide pastoral care. The sponsor is the religious organisation, which must hold a sponsor licence.

Requirements

A certificate of sponsorship from a licensed religious organisation for a genuine role of this kind.
You are qualified for the role, by ordination, training or experience as your faith requires.
English at CEFR B2, which is higher than most sponsored routes because the role involves preaching and pastoral care in English.
Maintenance funds unless the sponsor certifies them.

Minister of Religion or Religious Worker?

Roles that are not leading roles, such as working in a religious order or supporting non-pastoral work, fall under the Religious Worker visa, which is temporary and does not lead to settlement. Choosing the wrong route is a common reason for refusal.

Length and settlement

Up to three years and one month at first, extendable to a maximum of six years in total. After five years you can apply for settlement if you still hold the role.

Dependants

Partners and children can join you and can work.

What we do

We advise the organisation on its licence and on which route fits the role, prepare the certificate and the application, and handle the settlement application in due course.

Fees

Home Office fees and the immigration health surcharge change each April; we confirm the current figures when we advise you. Our fee is fixed and quoted before you instruct us; see our fees.

For employers

We act for employers as well as workers: sponsor licence applications, certificates of sponsorship, right-to-work checks and compliance. See sponsor licences.