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The Tier 2 Minister of Religion Visa UK is one of the few visas left from the old tier-based system of visas that has been replaced in recent years. It allows you to do pastoral work in the UK, such as working as a minister.
It should not be confused with the Religious Worker Visa, which is a temporary worker visa. The Religious Worker Visa has different requirements, is easier to get and allows you to do religious work in a non-pastoral role.
What are the requirements for a Minister of Religion Visa?
The specific requirements for the Minister of Religion Visa are as follows:
- Must have been offered a job in the UK within a faith. For example, as a minister, missionary, or member of a religious order.
- Have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer
- Proof of your English language ability
- Be over 18
- Have proof of funds to show you can support yourself when you first arrive in the UK; this is at least £1,270 in your account
- Provide tuberculosis test results if you are from a country listed as a risk
If your employer is supporting you financially, then this must be included on your Certificate of Sponsorship. In this case, you will not need to provide proof of funds.
How long does the visa last?
The Minister of Religion Visa UK lasts up to three years and one month, or whatever time is mentioned on your Certificate of Sponsorship, plus an extra 14 days.
You can also extend the visa for up to three years, the time on your certificate plus 14 days, or the time required to take your overall stay in the UK up to six years.
Proof of funds
As previously stated, you must have at least £1,270 in your bank account as proof of funds, if you are supporting yourself.
However, there are more details regarding proof of funds.
You will need to have had the money in your bank account for 28 days in a row, with the final day being within 31 days of when you make your application.
This will not apply if you have already been in the UK for at least 12 months on another visa.
Minister of Religion Visa UK dependants
On this visa, you can bring your partner and child. They must make their own separate application.
They must also provide their own proof of funds; however, this is lower than what the main applicant must have.
The funds are:
- £285 for your partner
- £315 for one child
- £200 for every additional child
These funds can be in your bank account, or your partner’s account.
What are the differences between the Minister of Religion Visa and the Religious Worker Visa?
Whilst we have already briefly mentioned the differences between the two visas, we have prepared a table to provide a more indepth comparison between them.
| Comparison | Minister of Religion Visa | Religious Worker Visa |
| Length of stay | Either 3 years and a month, or time given on your CoS plus 14 days | 24 months, or time given on your CoS plus 28 days |
| Type of work | Mainly pastoral | Non-pastoral or at a religious order |
| Financial requirement | £1,270 to support yourself | £1,270 to support yourself |
| Application fee | Outside UK: £719 Inside UK: £827 | £298 inside and outside the UK |
| Requires sponsorship | Yes | No |
| Contribute to settlement | Yes | No |
| Can bring dependants | Yes | Yes |
How we can help
If you need help with your application for a Minister of Religion Visa, any other type of visa, Indefinite Leave to Remain, or naturalisation, then we can help.
You can arrange a free 10-minute consultation with our experienced legal team, where you can tell us what you need and see if we can help you. After this, you can book a longer paid consultation that lasts either 30 minutes or an hour.
A member of our team will act as your main point of contact in our company, and will be available to answer any questions you may have.
Get in touch today for expert legal assistance.
Ready for assistance?
If you have any questions about the changes or want legal advice, contact
Woodcock Law & Notary Public today. Contact us by phone on +44 (0)20 7712 1705 or
by email at info@woodcocklaw.co.uk.
