Who can apply?

This visa is for individuals seeking to perform various religious roles. These may include preaching, conducting religious ceremonies, reading scriptures to congregations, some pastoral duties, and other non-pastoral responsibilities. Religious workers already employed in similar roles abroad can also apply for this visa.

Those seeking to support the activities of religious organisations or institutions are also eligible for this visa. Significantly, even individuals who are not formal members of a religious organisation but wish to perform work related to that religious organisation can apply for this visa.

What are the requirements?

The UK Temporary Religious Worker Visa is available to foreign nationals seeking to perform various religious roles. To apply for this visa, applicants must be at least 18 years old, be sponsored by a recognised religious organisation in the UK, and obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

Applicants must not have held a Religious Worker visa or a Charity Worker visa in the past 12 months. However, this restriction does not apply if they can prove they were outside the UK during that period. These rules are in place to prevent visa abuse and provide opportunities for those genuinely seeking to perform religious duties.

What are the conditions of stay in the UK?

Whilst staying in the UK on this visa, visa holders can work in the religious role specified by their sponsor. They are also allowed to take on part-time work for up to 20 hours per week and can study as long as it does not interfere with their main job. However, they cannot access public funds.

Can I switch to a different visa?

The maximum stay on this visa is 24 months. Whilst visa extensions are possible, the total period of stay cannot exceed 24 months. When applying for an extension, applicants must submit the application before their current visa expires and continue to meet all eligibility requirements.

Direct switching from a Temporary Religious Worker visa to other types of visa is limited. For a long-term stay as a religious worker, considering a switch to a Minister of Religion visa might be an option.

Can I bring my family?

Visa holders legally can bring their spouse and children under 18. Family members must apply for visas separately and can stay for the same period as the main applicant.

Is it possible to apply for a settlement?

The Temporary Religious Worker visa does not lead to settlement. As it is a temporary visa, it is not suitable for those seeking long-term settlement in the UK. For long-term stay, other visa routes such as the Minister of Religion visa should be considered.

In conclusion, whilst the Temporary Religious Worker visa can be a good option for foreign nationals seeking to perform religious duties in the UK for a short period, it's not suitable for those aiming for long-term settlement. For these purposes, other visa routes should be considered.

The Religious Worker Visa requires sponsorship and has complex application conditions. ARIS Lawyers serves as a reliable partner, supporting religious organisations throughout the entire process from obtaining sponsorship to issuing the CoS.

We provide necessary process and document checklists, guide you through the preparation process, and offer advice to minimise the risk of visa rejection. ARIS continuously updates information on the latest immigration laws and policy changes, providing accurate information and suggesting personalised application strategies tailored to individual situations. Through this, ARIS Lawyers helps Religious Worker Visa applicants save time and effort whilst supporting successful visa applications.