Overview
If you have been offered a position within a faith community in the UK, such as a minister of religion, missionary, or member of a religious order, you can apply for a Minister of Religion visa (T2). This visa allows you to work in the UK in your religious role, provided you meet the other eligibility requirements.
For individuals and their families from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, there is an option to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme if they started living in the UK by 31 December 2020. The deadline for most people to apply was 30 June 2021, but exceptions apply. If you have a later deadline, such as joining a family member in the UK who was already living there by 31 December 2020, or if you have reasonable grounds for being unable to apply by the original deadline due to circumstances like illness or domestic abuse, you may still be eligible to apply. To determine if you can still apply to the EU Settlement Scheme, it is advised to check your eligibility.
If you do not meet the criteria for the EU Settlement Scheme, you will need to obtain a visa to work in the UK. However, Irish citizens are exempt from this requirement and do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.
To apply for a Minister of Religion visa, you must have a licensed sponsor who employs you and can provide confirmation that you are suitable for the job and qualify for the visa. The sponsor will issue you a certificate of sponsorship to validate your application. Additionally, they are responsible for providing you with other necessary information, such as details regarding your salary.
Process time and cost
When applying for a visa to work in the UK, you can submit your application up to 3 months before your intended start date, which is indicated on your certificate of sponsorship.
If you apply from outside the UK, you can generally expect a decision on your visa within 3 weeks. If you wish to expedite the process, you can explore the option of paying for a faster decision, details of which can be found on the relevant channels.
As part of your application, you will also need to pay the healthcare surcharge. It is advisable to check the specific amount you are required to pay before submitting your application.
For those applying to extend or switch their visa within the UK, you will be required to provide biometric information, including fingerprints and a photo. There is no fee associated with this biometric enrollment process.
To obtain a quicker decision on your application for extension or switching within the UK, you have the option of paying an additional £500 for the priority service. This will ensure a decision within 5 working days. Alternatively, you can opt for the super priority service by paying an extra £800. With the super priority service, you can expect a decision by the end of the next working day if your biometric appointment falls on a weekday, or within 2 working days if your appointment is scheduled for the weekend. It’s important to note that working days exclude bank holidays and encompass Monday to Friday.
After receiving your decision letter, it may take up to 10 working days for your biometric residence permit to arrive.
How long you can stay
If you hold a Minister of Religion visa (T2), you are allowed to stay in the UK for a maximum period of up to 3 years and 1 month, or the duration specified on your certificate of sponsorship plus an additional 14 days, whichever is shorter.
It is possible to apply for an extension to prolong your stay beyond the initial duration.
After residing in the UK for a continuous period of 5 years, you may have the opportunity to apply for indefinite leave to remain, which grants you the right to permanently live, work, and study in the country. With indefinite leave to remain, you can also apply for eligible benefits.
To ensure a seamless transition and avoid any disruption, it is crucial to submit your application for extension or settlement before your existing visa expires.