A1.41 Religious Worker Visa

Religious Worker Visa (Temporary Work) – September 2025 Update

Official link: https://www.gov.uk/religious-worker-visa

 

Overview

• For non-pastoral religious work or joining      religious orders in UK

• Requires sponsorship from UK-recognised religious      institution

• Replaces former T5 Religious Worker visa

 

Sponsorship Requirements

• Must have Certificate of Sponsorship from      licensed UK sponsor

• Work must relate to sponsor's religious activities

 

Application Timeline

• Earliest application: 3 months      before work start date on Certificate of Sponsorship

• Processing times:

• Outside UK: Usually 3 weeks

• Inside UK: Usually 8 weeks

• Priority services available

 

Costs & Financial Requirements

• Application fee: £319 (inside/outside      UK)

• Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035/year

• Maintenance funds: £1,270 personal      savings

• Held 28 consecutive days

• 28-day period ends within 31 days of       application

• Exempt if:

• UK resident with valid visa for 12+ months

• Employer certifies support for first month (up to £1,270)

 

Visa Validity, Rights & Restrictions

Stay Duration: 24 months maximum OR CoS period + 28 days (whichever shorter)

Arrival: Up to 14 days before work starts

Permitted:

• ✓ Religious work described in CoS

• ✓ Study (ATAS required for some courses)

• ✓ Second job in same field/level (≤20 hours/week outside main      role)

• ✓ Skilled Worker Immigration Salary List job as second      employment (≤20 hours/week outside main role)

• ✓ Bring eligible spouse/children

Not Permitted:

• ✗ Public funds

 

Eligibility Requirements

• Valid Certificate of Sponsorship reference      number

• Sufficient funds (unless exempt)

• Aged 18+ at application

• Cannot apply if held Religious      Worker/Charity Worker visa in past 12 months (unless absent from UK entire      period)

• Employer must pay at      least National Minimum Wage

• CoS valid for 3 months from issue

 

Required Documents

• Certificate of Sponsorship reference number

• Valid passport

• Financial evidence (unless employer supported)

• Relationship evidence for dependants

• TB test results (if required)

• Certified translations for      non-English/Welsh documents

 

Application Process

• Apply online

• Verify identity via:

• UK Immigration: ID Check app OR

• Biometric appointment (fingerprints/photo)

• Inside UK applications only      for extending existing Religious Worker visa

 

Dependants

• Eligible: Spouse/civil      partner/unmarried partner (2+ years cohabitation)/children under 18

• Additional funds required:

• Partner: £285

• First child: £315

• Each additional child: £200

• Apply separately using main      applicant's reference number

• Rights: Work (except professional      sport)/study/travel freely

• UK-born children: Not automatically      British - require dependant visa + UK birth certificate

 

Extending Your Visa

• Must continue meeting all requirements

• Apply before current visa expires

• Changing roles/organizations:      Must reapply (not extend)

• Maximum total stay: 24      months OR CoS period + 14 days (whichever shorter)

• Processing: Usually 8 weeks

• Digital assistance available      for in-UK applicants (no immigration advice provided)

 

Key Considerations

• Specific work nature: For non-pastoral      religious roles (administrators/missionaries etc.) or religious      order members

• Sponsorship critical: Must have      UK-recognised religious institution sponsorship

• Strict cooling period: Usually      cannot reapply if held Religious/Charity Worker visa in past 12 months

• Limited supplementary work: Second      religious job permitted with hourly limits (outside main role hours)

• Role changes require reapplication:      Even within same religious organization

• Absolute time limit: Maximum 24      months total stay regardless of extensions