A1.46 T2 Minister of Religion Visa
This visa applies to applicants who have received a job offer within a UK faith community, with eligible roles including minister of religion, missionary, or member of a religious order.
You must be sponsored by a UK officially recognised religious institution.
Your employer (a religious organisation) will act as your sponsor.
Your sponsor will provide you with an electronic certificate of sponsorship reference number, which includes your personal details and job-specific information.
You can submit your application up to 3 months before the start date of your UK employment as stated on your certificate of sponsorship.
Applications made outside the UK: Usually within 3 weeks.
Applications made inside the UK for extension or switch: Usually within 8 weeks, with paid priority services available (a priority service for a decision within 5 working days, and a super priority service for a decision by the next working day or within 2 working days).
Applications must be submitted online.
Generally £1,035 per person per year of stay.
You must demonstrate that you have at least £1,270 in personal savings, with the following conditions:
You have been living in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months.
Your employer confirms on the certificate of sponsorship that they will cover your living expenses for the first month (up to £1,270).
The initial visa can be granted for a maximum of 3 years and 1 month, or the duration stated on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days (whichever is shorter). You can apply for an extension if you meet the eligibility criteria, and after 5 years of cumulative residence, you may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
Work for your sponsor in the religious role described on your certificate of sponsorship.
Take on a second job under specific circumstances (up to 20 hours per week, in the same professional field or an occupation on the Skilled Worker salary list).
Undertake voluntary work.
Study as long as it does not interfere with your sponsored employment.
Travel abroad and re-enter the UK freely.
Bring your eligible partner and children to the UK as your dependants.
Certificate of Sponsorship: Hold a valid certificate of sponsorship reference number (valid for 3 months).
English Language Proficiency: Prove your English skills reach CEFR Level B2 (listening, speaking, reading and writing).
Sufficient Funds: Have at least £1,270 in personal savings (unless exempt).
Age Requirement: Be at least 18 years old.
Travel History and TB Test: Provide a record of your travel over the past 5 years; applicants from designated countries must provide a valid tuberculosis (TB) test result.
You must reach CEFR Level B2, which is higher than the requirement for most other UK work visas.
Nationals from major English-speaking countries (e.g., the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc.) are exempt from this requirement.
Certificate of sponsorship reference number.
Proof of English language proficiency.
Proof of personal savings (e.g., bank statements).
Valid passport (with blank pages) and old passports showing travel history.
(If applicable) TB test result.
All documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation.
Your dependants include your spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner (with proof of 2 years of cohabitation), and children under the age of 18.
Dependants must submit a separate application and pay the corresponding fees.
Dependants can work in the UK (excluding roles as sportspersons or coaches), study, and travel in and out of the UK freely. They may also apply for indefinite leave to remain if they meet the eligibility criteria. They cannot claim public funds.
Children born in the UK to visa holders do not automatically acquire British nationality and must apply for a dependant visa separately.
You must continue to meet all eligibility criteria and obtain a new certificate of sponsorship.
You can extend your visa for a maximum of 3 years each time, with a cumulative maximum stay of 6 years in total.
5 years of cumulative residence is a key requirement for applying for indefinite leave to remain.
You can switch to this visa from most other visas while in the UK, though student visa holders must meet specific conditions (e.g., completion of their course).
Visas that do not allow in-country switching include visitor visas, short-term student visas, and seasonal worker visas; holders of these visas must leave the UK to apply.
You may take on a second job for up to 20 hours per week if it meets one of the following criteria:
If you wish to take on a second job that does not meet the above conditions, you must apply for a new visa with sponsorship from a second employer.
Role-specific Visa: This visa is exclusively designed for religious professionals such as ministers of religion and missionaries, and is not a route for ordinary religious workers.
High English Language Requirement: The CEFR B2 level requirement reflects the high demand for applicants’ communication skills within UK communities.
Clear Long-term Route: As a long-term work visa, it offers a defined path to indefinite leave to remain after 5 years, though the total stay is capped at 6 years.
Shareholding Restriction: In general, you cannot hold a significant shareholding in your sponsoring institution, to prevent non-genuine employment relationships.
Clear Limits on Second Jobs: Limited part-time work is permitted, but with strict restrictions on the field and hours of work