Religious Worker Visa

The Religious Worker Visa allows individuals to come to the UK temporarily to undertake religious work, such as preaching, pastoral work, or non-pastoral work for a religious organization. This visa is part of the Temporary Work visa routes and is suitable for short-term religious assignments.

This visa does not lead to settlement in the UK and is intended solely for temporary religious work.

Eligibility

To qualify for a Religious Worker Visa, you must:

Be aged 18 or over.
Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed UK sponsor in the religious sector.
Demonstrate that your role contributes to the work of a recognized religious organization in the UK.
Have at least £1,270 in your bank account to support yourself in the UK, unless your sponsor confirms they will cover your costs during your first month.
Intend to leave the UK at the end of your visa.

Duration of Stay

The Religious Worker Visa allows you to stay in the UK for:

Up to 2 years, or
The time specified on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.

Extensions are possible, but the total duration of stay must not exceed 2 years.

Application Process

Timeline

You can apply for a Religious Worker Visa up to 3 months before your job start date as listed on your Certificate of Sponsorship. As part of your application, you will need to:

Prove your identity.
Provide required documents, including:
- Your Certificate of Sponsorship reference number.
- Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself.
Attend an appointment to provide biometric information if required.

Decision Timeframe

3 weeks if applying from outside the UK.

Rights and Restrictions

What You Can Do:

Work in the job described in your Certificate of Sponsorship.
Do supplementary work in the same sector.
Travel abroad and return to the UK during your visa’s validity.

What You Cannot Do:

Take a permanent job.
Apply for most benefits (public funds) or the state pension.
Bring family members (dependents) unless they apply separately.
Apply to settle permanently in the UK.

Get in touch with us now at Squadlead to make your Religious Worker Visa application process seamless and stress-free!