Minister of Religion Visa

Page Contents

• Minister of Religion Visa overview
• Minister of Religion Visa requirements
• Application process
• Minister of Religion Visa validity
• The knowledge of English requirement
• Required supporting documents
• How do I get sponsored?
• How do I switch to this visa?
• Can I take a second job as a Minister of Religion Visa holder?
• What are the Minister of Religion Visa fees?
• Frequently Asked Questions

This visa type is for skilled workers that have been offered a job in a faith community, or religious organisation such as minister of religion, missionary or member of a religious order.

Each applicant needs to hold a valid offer from a UK sponsor, which is an organisation that is willing to assign a Certificate of Sponsorship. Your assigned CoS will require the right SCO code, which shows all the key information on your work dates, salary, job description, work location and employment hours.

To qualify for this visa, you need to:

• Have a certificate of sponsorship for your job
• Prove your knowledge of English
• Have adequate personal savings to support yourself while you are in the UK
• Demonstrate your travel history over the last 5 years
• Have your tuberculosis test results (if required)

You can apply for your visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start your job in the UK. This date will be listed on your Certificate of Sponsorship.

As part of your application, you need to have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre.

You should get a decision from the Home Office within 3 weeks if you applied from outside the UK. However, you can apply for the Home Office’s Priority and Super Priority services. If your application is successful, you will need to collect your biometric residence permit within 10 days of when you need to enter the UK.

Your MoR visa will be valid for a maximum of up to 3 years and 1 month, or the time given on your CoS plus 1 month, whichever is shorter.

Extending your visa

At the end of your stay, you may be able to apply to extend your visa. To qualify religion visa extension, you still need to meet all the eligibility requirements and provide a new bundle of documents about your situation in the UK. You will also need a new Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer.

Your visa extension will be valid for up to 3 years or the time given in your new CoS plus 14 days.

You may need to prove your English proficiency to qualify for a skilled worker visa. You can do this by either:

• Passing an approved English language test with at least CEFR level B2 in reading, writing, speaking and listening.
• Having an academic qualification that was taught in English and is recognised by UK NARIS as being equivalent to a UK degree.
• Demonstrating that you are a national of an English-speaking country.

When you apply for your visa, you must provide a bundle of supporting documents, including:

• Your CoS reference number
• Proof of your knowledge of English
• A bank statement or letter showing you have enough personal savings
• Your passport or any other valid travel document (and with a blank page for your visa)
• Any expired passport or travel document to show your travel history
• Your tuberculosis test results (if needed)

You need to receive a job offer from a UK licensed sponsor. Your employer will check that you can do the job they are hiring you for and that you meet all the relevant visa requirements. If you satisfy these criteria, your sponsor’s organisation will assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship and give you additional information about your application.

If you are currently holding a different permit, you may be able to switch your status to a Minister of Religion Visa application.

To qualify, you must already be in the UK one of the following immigration statuses:

• Investor Visa
• Sportsperson Visa
• Skilled Worker Visa
• Intra-company Transfer Visa
• Student Visa
• Start-up Visa

If you plan to switch to this visa from a Student visa, one of the following must apply to you:

• You’ve completed the course you were sponsored to study on your Student visa
• The start date of your job is after the completion date of your course
• You’ve been studying for a PhD for at least 24 months

You can take a second job on your MoR visa if you are going to work up to 20 hours a week in either:

• The same profession as your main job
• A profession on the shortage occupation list

You are also free to do any unpaid voluntary work.  If you wish to take up a second job that does not meet these requirements, you will need to apply for a new visa and obtain a new Certificate of Sponsorship.

If you are applying from outside the UK, it will cost £610 to submit your forms to the Home Office. If you are applying with your dependants, you must pay an additional fee of £610 for the application fee each family member.

Depending on your personal circumstances, you will also have to pay the healthcare surcharge and an additional fee of £19.20 to have your biometric information taken.