There are two main routes on which religious institutions/charitable organisations can sponsor religious workers to work in religious occupations.

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MINISTER OF RELIGION (MOR) VISA

MOR visa route is for a person who can be sponsored to perform a key leading role within a faith-based organisation or religious order in the UK, such as a minister of religion, missionary, member of a religious order, or other religious workers in mainly pastoral roles. A dependent partner and dependent children of a T2 Minister of Religion can apply on this route.

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Migrant workers holding leave under this route can apply for further leave to remain, change employment to another sponsor and apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK subject to meeting all the requirements including KoLL.

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It is mandatory to meet the English language requirements (unless applicant is nationality of specified countries) at least (Common European Framework regulations (CEFR) level B2 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Applicant can obtain a certificate recognised by Ecctis (formerly known as UN NARIC) as his academic qualification was taught in English and the same is equivalent to the required level.

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Applicant is required to prove that he can support himself when arriving in the UK. This can be shown through his personal savings via bank statements or from the employer certifying maintenance of funds requirements.

 

RELIGIOUS WORKER VISA

This is a temporary visa route. You can apply for the above route if the job role involves performing religious duties to support the activities of religious institutions and can be for filling non-pastoral placements for no more than 2 years with no option to apply for settlement in the UK. It can include working in a religious order. No Ministers of religion can be sponsored under this Tier 5 route. The salary must be calculated in such a way it meets the requirements of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) Regulations. These rates are amended, usually annually, so you must make sure that you are using the correct rates.

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You must have a certificate of sponsorship assigned by your employer prior to application for leave to enter the UK to work for the religious institution. The successful applicants can come and work in the UK and they can also do a second job (same level in the same religious field) for 20 hours per week. Dependents (Partner/Child) can join the main applicant under this route, and they can also stay in the UK until the main applicant’s visa validity.

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Temporary Religious workers will be subject to a 12-month cooling-off period if they have had been in the UK as a Religious Worker or Charity Worker within the last 12 months.

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We have extensive experience in handling all immigration matters. To discuss about your your minister of religion or religious worker application with one of our immigration Solicitors, please contact us on 01279 312185 or submit our enquiry form given below.