Religious Worker Visa
A religious worker visa allows for individuals working in a ministerial or religious organization role to come to the UK for a certain amount of time to work.
For details on the process or to speak to one of our friendly immigration lawyers who will advise you on the application, call us today on 03334149244 or fill out the contact form on our website.
Overview
You are able to apply for a Religious Worker visa if:
- You want to do religious work for a non-pastoral religious occupation or religious organization
- You meet the other eligibility requirements
You will be granted residency in the UK for up to 24 months or the period of time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 28 days.
You can enter the UK up to 14 days (2 weeks) before the start date of your job.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for the Religious worker visa, you must:
- Have a certificate of sponsorship reference number from your UK sponsor
- Have sufficient funding to support yourself in the UK (£1,270 in savings)
- Be 18 or over when you apply
You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK.
Sponsorship
To be eligible for this visa, you will need a certificate of sponsorship from your Sponsor.
Your Sponsor is the company you will be working for during your residency in the UK, and must be recognised by the UK government as a genuine business that is qualified to give certificates of sponsorship.
The certificate you will receive has a unique reference number which is integral to your application.
It also contains specific information to your role within the company, and what you will be doing while you are in the UK.
Costs
You will need to show you have at least £1,270 in savings to prove you are able to support yourself financially while you are in the UK.
You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for the Religious Worker visa.
There is also the application fee, which is £319 per person applying.
There is a healthcare surcharge fee which is usually £1,035 per year.
If you are bringing any dependants with you, they will also need to prove that they have at least:
- £285 for your partner
- £315 for one child
- £200 for each additional child
Your employer (sponsor) may offer to cover the cost.
Documents you must provide
- A valid passport or recognised identity document
- A valid certificate of sponsorship from your sponsor
- Financial capability evidence such as a bank statement
- Proof of relationship with dependants if relevant
- TB test results if you are from one of these countries
Processing time
You will typically hear back with a decision within:
- 3 weeks if you are outside the UK
- 8 weeks if you are inside the UK
For dependants, processing time is usually 8 weeks providing there are no errors within their application.
It is imperative that you ensure all documents and supporting evidence is correct and filed correctly in the event of an interview.
If you have inconsistencies within your application, you will be notified of this but it will hinder the processing time of your application.
Rules
You can:
- Study in the UK
- Work in your sponsored role
- Work a second job in the same sector at the same level as your main job for up to 20 hours per week
- Work a job on the Skilled Worker shortage occupation list for up to 20 hours per week
- Bring any dependants you have with you to the UK
You cannot:
- Receive UK public funds
- Breach your certificate of sponsorship or your visa requirements
Dependants
Dependants are classed as someone who is a:
- Spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner
- Child under the age of 18
- Child over the age of 18 if they are already living in the UK as your dependent
Any dependent relatives joining you in the UK must make a separate visa application and they can apply to join you online.
To be eligible they will need to be able to prove their relationship with you and must also show that they have enough money to be financially supported whilst in the UK.
You will need to show that there is at least:
- £285 for your partner
- £315 for one child
- £200 for each additional child
Extending or switching the visa
You are able to extend your visa if you continue to remain within your visa requirements.
You should apply before your current visa expires.
How we can help
Obtaining ILR or citizenship is a long process, which can have an uncertain result. Our Immigration team is qualified and ready to help you with visa applications or walking you through the process.
Navigating visa routes or application forms can be tricky, especially if you speak a different language.
We have friendly, experienced lawyers waiting to help you with you and your families immigration case today.
Our list of assistance includes but is not limited to:
- Provide a Letter of Representation
- Assist you in completing your application to the best it can be, including fixing errors and proofreading
- Conduct a thorough document check to make sure everything is included in your application
- Walk you through eligibility for multiple visas that best suit your needs
- Help you prepare for both the Life in the UK test and your English language examination
- Liaise with the Home Office on your behalf throughout the entire process
Call us today on 03334149244 or fill out the contact form on our website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Religious Worker visas are temporary work visas for non UK citizens to be employed as religious worker, in roles such as:
- Ministers
- Priests
- Educators
- Translators
- Missionaries, etc.
If you are exceptionally talented or wealthy or have a familial connection to the UK, you can move to the UK without a job as long as you obtain the correct visa.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Immigration Advice Service before making any decisions based on the content provided.
Last modified on March 12th, 2025 at 3:59 pm
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