The Religious Worker visa is part of the UK’s Temporary Work visa category. It allows overseas nationals to undertake short-term religious work for up to 24 months, provided they are sponsored by an approved UK organisation. This visa is designed for non-pastoral roles or for those joining a religious order, and it replaced the former T5 Religious Worker route. Unlike the Minister of Religion visa, this category does not cover pastoral duties such as preaching or leading congregations.
This guide explains the Religious Worker visa in detail, including eligibility, requirements, application process, fees, rights of dependants, extension rules, and how this route differs from others such as the Minister of Religion visa.
Section A: What is the Religious Worker visa?
The Religious Worker visa is a temporary immigration route for overseas nationals who will contribute to the activities of a UK faith-based institution in a non-pastoral role. Examples include supporting religious communities through practical duties, assisting within a religious order, or undertaking tasks that support worship and spiritual life but do not involve leading a congregation or preaching.
This route requires sponsorship by a licensed religious organisation or order that has been approved by the Home Office. It is not available for self-employment or unsponsored activities. Applicants can be granted permission to stay in the UK for up to 24 months, or the period stated on their Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.
If the individual’s role involves pastoral leadership, such as conducting sermons, rites, or rituals, they must instead apply for the Minister of Religion visa under the Skilled Worker category, which is a separate long-term route with a pathway to settlement.
Section A Summary: The Religious Worker visa is a short-term, sponsored UK immigration route for individuals undertaking non-pastoral religious duties or joining a religious order. It is distinct from the Minister of Religion visa, which covers pastoral leadership roles and provides a pathway to settlement.
Section B: Religious Worker visa eligibility and requirements
To qualify for a Religious Worker visa UK, applicants must meet a combination of sponsorship, financial, and suitability criteria. This ensures that only individuals with a genuine offer from an authorised religious organisation can use the route. The visa is not intended for permanent leadership roles, which fall under the Minister of Religion route.
1. Certificate of Sponsorship
A valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is essential. This is an electronic record issued by a licensed sponsor that confirms the applicant’s job details, proposed duration, and the fact that the role meets Home Office requirements. The CoS must include:
- The applicant’s personal details and confirmation they are being sponsored as a Religious Worker
- Job title, duties, and proposed salary or allowances
- The start date of employment, which must be no more than three months after the visa application date
- Confirmation of whether the applicant is a member of the sponsor’s order, if applicable
- Evidence that pay and conditions are at least equivalent to settled workers in the same role
- Confirmation that pay meets or is exempt from the National Minimum Wage
Unlike historic rules, there is no longer a resident labour market test for Religious Workers. Sponsors do not have to demonstrate that the role could not be filled by a UK-based applicant.
2. Financial requirement
Applicants must show that they can support themselves on arrival in the UK, unless their sponsor certifies maintenance. The standard requirement is to hold at least £1,270 in savings for 28 consecutive days, with day 28 falling within 31 days of the visa application date.
Additional funds are required if dependants apply at the same time:
- £285 for a partner
- £315 for the first dependent child
- £200 for each further dependent child
For example, a Religious Worker applying with a spouse and two children must show £2,070 (£1,270 + £285 + £315 + £200). If the sponsor certifies maintenance, this requirement is waived for the first month of stay.
3. Other requirements
In addition to sponsorship and financial criteria, applicants must:
- Be aged 18 or over at the date of application
- Provide a valid passport or travel document
- Provide tuberculosis test results if required by their country of residence
- Not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal (e.g., immigration history or criminal record)
Section B Summary: To be eligible for the Religious Worker visa, applicants must secure a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed religious organisation, meet financial maintenance rules (unless certified), and provide the necessary identity and health documents. The resident labour market test no longer applies, simplifying sponsor compliance.
Section C: Rights and restrictions under the Religious Worker visa UK
A Religious Worker visa provides permission to live and work in the UK temporarily while supporting a sponsoring faith-based organisation. However, there are both rights granted to visa-holders and important restrictions that must be observed.
1. Work rights
Visa-holders can undertake the specific role described on their Certificate of Sponsorship for the duration of their permission. They may also take on additional paid work, but only under strict conditions:
- Up to 20 hours per week in the same sector and at the same level as their sponsored role
- Up to 20 hours per week in a role listed on the UK’s Shortage Occupation List
Any additional work must not interfere with the main sponsored role. Voluntary work is also permitted.
2. Study rights
Religious Workers are permitted to study in the UK during their stay, provided that their studies do not disrupt their sponsored duties. For certain types of study, an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate may be required.
3. Dependants’ rights
Partners and children granted leave as dependants of a Religious Worker are permitted to work in the UK, including in self-employment or voluntary roles. They are also free to study. The only restriction is that they cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.
4. Restrictions and limitations
There are several important limitations for Religious Worker visa holders:
- The visa is capped at a maximum of 24 months and cannot lead directly to settlement
- Switching into this route from within the UK is not permitted; applications must be made from outside the UK
- Preaching and pastoral duties are not allowed under this visa; those duties fall under the Minister of Religion visa
- Visa-holders must not claim public funds or access benefits
Section C Summary: Religious Worker visa holders can carry out their sponsored role, undertake limited additional work, and study, while dependants can work and study with some restrictions. The visa does not provide access to public funds, does not cover pastoral leadership, and cannot lead to settlement in the UK.
Section D: Applying for a Religious Worker visa UK
The Religious Worker visa application process is online and must be completed before travel to the UK. Applications can be made up to three months before the role start date listed on the Certificate of Sponsorship. Each applicant, including dependants, must submit their own application.
1. Application process
The application is submitted through the UK government’s official visa portal. Applicants will be required to:
- Complete the online application form
- Pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
- Prove their identity and enrol biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) either via the UK Immigration: ID Check app or at a visa application centre
- Upload or provide supporting documents as part of the process
If using the ID Check app, applicants will scan their passport and create or log into a UKVI account. If attending a visa application centre, applicants may need to travel to another country if no centre is available locally. Passports and documents may be retained until a decision is made.
2. Supporting documents
The core supporting documents for a Religious Worker visa UK include:
- A valid passport or other travel document
- The Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
- Evidence of funds to meet the financial requirement (unless certified by the sponsor)
- Tuberculosis test results (if required)
- Proof of relationship for dependants, such as marriage or birth certificates
Additional documentation may be required depending on individual circumstances, such as evidence of cohabitation for unmarried partners.
3. Application fees and costs
The following fees apply to Religious Worker visa applications:
- Visa application fee: £298 per applicant
- Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per adult per year, £776 per child under 18 per year
These fees are payable in addition to funds needed for the financial requirement, unless certified by the sponsor. Applicants may also pay extra for priority processing, depending on availability in their country.
4. Processing times
Most applications are decided within three weeks from the date biometrics are provided or the ID Check app is used. Priority services, where available, can reduce this timeframe to five working days or even the next working day, though additional fees apply.
Section D Summary: Applications for a Religious Worker visa UK are made online, supported by a valid CoS, financial evidence, and identity documents. The process includes biometric enrolment or ID verification, with standard processing in around three weeks. Fees include £298 per applicant plus the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Section E: Extensions, settlement and switching rules
The Religious Worker visa UK is a temporary route with strict limits on how long an individual can remain in the country. Applicants and sponsors should understand the rules around extensions, settlement, and switching to other visa categories.
1. Extensions
A Religious Worker visa can be extended from within the UK, provided the applicant continues to meet eligibility requirements and applies before their current permission expires. However, the total period of permission under this route cannot exceed 24 months, or the length of the Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.
Dependants must submit their own extension applications at the same time; their permission does not automatically extend with the principal visa-holder.
2. Settlement
The Religious Worker visa does not provide a direct route to indefinite leave to remain (ILR). Time spent in the UK under this visa does not count towards qualifying residence for settlement. Those seeking long-term residence must switch into a different route that does lead to settlement, such as the Skilled Worker route or the Minister of Religion visa.
3. Switching rules
Switching into the Religious Worker visa from within the UK is not permitted. Applications must be submitted from outside the UK. In contrast, holders of this visa who wish to remain longer term must leave the UK and apply for a new visa category that fits their circumstances.
For example, a Religious Worker who moves into a pastoral or leadership role may later apply for the Minister of Religion visa, which is a Skilled Worker category visa with settlement potential. This application must be made from overseas.
Section E Summary: The Religious Worker visa can be extended within the UK up to a 24-month cap, but it does not count towards indefinite leave to remain. Switching into this category from inside the UK is not allowed, and applicants seeking longer-term residence must apply for a different visa route, usually from outside the UK.
Religious Worker visa UK: FAQs
This FAQ section addresses the most common questions applicants and sponsors ask about the Religious Worker visa UK, focusing on eligibility, process, costs, dependants, work rights, and how the route differs from the Minister of Religion visa.
1. What is the Religious Worker visa?
The Religious Worker visa is a Temporary Work route for overseas nationals coming to the UK to undertake non-pastoral religious duties or to work within a religious order. It replaced the former T5 Religious Worker route and requires sponsorship by a licensed religious organisation.
2. How long can I stay in the UK on this visa?
Permission is granted for up to 24 months, or the period stated on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.
3. Can I arrive before my job start date?
Yes. You can enter the UK up to 14 days before the start date shown on your Certificate of Sponsorship.
4. What is the difference between this visa and the Minister of Religion visa?
The Religious Worker route is for non-pastoral roles and work within religious orders. It does not cover leading congregations, preaching, or performing pastoral duties. Those activities fall under the Minister of Religion visa (a Skilled Worker category) which can lead to settlement.
5. Do I need a job offer and sponsorship?
Yes. You must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a Home Office–licensed sponsor approved for the Religious Worker route.
6. Is there an English language requirement?
No. There is no English language requirement for the Religious Worker visa.
7. What funds do I need to show?
Unless your sponsor certifies maintenance, you must show £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days, with day 28 falling within 31 days before your application. If dependants apply, you must also show £285 for a partner, £315 for the first child, and £200 for each additional child.
8. Can my dependants work and study?
Yes. Partners and children can work (except as professional sportspersons or sports coaches) and study. Their permission will usually be granted for the same duration as the main applicant’s.
9. Can I take a second job?
Yes, for up to 20 hours per week, either in the same sector and level as your sponsored role or in an occupation on the Shortage Occupation List. Additional work must not interfere with your main role.
10. Can I study while on this visa?
Yes, provided study does not disrupt your sponsored duties. Certain courses may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.
11. Can I access public funds?
No. Religious Worker visa holders and their dependants are not permitted to access public funds.
12. What are the application fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge?
The application fee is £298 per applicant. The Immigration Health Surcharge is £1,035 per adult per year and £776 per child under 18 per year.
13. How long does a decision take?
Standard processing is usually around three weeks after biometrics/ID verification. Priority services may be available in some locations for an additional fee.
14. Where do I apply from?
You must apply from outside the UK. Switching into the Religious Worker route from within the UK is not permitted.
15. Can I extend my visa?
Yes, if you continue to meet the rules and apply before your current permission expires. However, the total time on this route cannot exceed 24 months (or CoS duration plus 14 days, if shorter). Dependants must apply to extend separately.
16. Does time on this visa count towards settlement (ILR)?
No. The Religious Worker visa does not lead to settlement. To pursue ILR you would need to qualify and apply for a different route, such as Minister of Religion or Skilled Worker, and meet the relevant residence requirements.
17. Can I re-apply if I recently held a Religious Worker or Charity Worker visa?
If you held permission as a Religious Worker or Charity Worker within the last 12 months, you will not be eligible unless you can show you were outside the UK for the whole of that period.
18. Will I get a visa vignette, BRP, or eVisa?
You will receive a visa vignette to travel and, in most cases, digital status (eVisa) linked to your UKVI account. Where issued, physical BRPs are being phased out; you should rely on your eVisa for status evidence.
19. What documents will I need?
A valid passport or travel document, your Certificate of Sponsorship reference, financial evidence (unless maintenance is certified), TB test results if required, and evidence of relationship for any dependants.
20. Is there still a resident labour market test?
No. There is no resident labour market test for the Religious Worker route.
FAQs Summary: The Religious Worker visa UK is a sponsored, short-term route for non-pastoral religious roles and work within religious orders. It allows limited secondary work and study, supports dependants, and requires funds (unless certified by the sponsor). Applications are made from outside the UK, extensions are capped within 24 months, and the route does not lead to settlement.
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