Minister of Religion Visa

The T2 Minister of Religion visa is for people offered a role within a faith community in the UK, such as a minister, missionary or member of a religious order, where the role mainly involves pastoral or religious duties. "T2 Minister of Religion" is the current name of the route; references to a "Tier 2" Minister of Religion visa are out of date.

The sponsoring organisation must be a genuine religious organisation that holds a Home Office sponsor licence. Unlike the temporary Religious Worker visa, this route can lead to settlement.

Who may be eligible

• Ministers of religion who lead a congregation, preach and carry out pastoral work.
• Missionaries.
• Members of religious orders.

You must be qualified for the role under the rules of your faith and genuinely intend to do the job you are sponsored for.

Key requirements

• A valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed religious sponsor.
• English: CEFR level B2 in reading, writing, speaking and listening.
• Maintenance: £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days, unless you have been in the UK for 12 months or more, or your A-rated sponsor certifies maintenance.
• Payment of the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.

At the time of writing, the Home Office fee is £819 from outside the UK and £943 from inside the UK, per person.

How long you can stay

Under the current rules, entry clearance is granted for the shorter of the CoS period plus 14 days, or 3 years and 1 month. Permission to stay is granted for the shorter of the CoS period plus 14 days, 3 years, or 6 years minus time already spent on certain work routes. This means total time on the route is currently limited to 6 years.

Recent and upcoming changes

From 29 October 2026, changes already laid before Parliament will:

• Remove the upper limit on total time on the route.
• Make each grant the shorter of the CoS period plus 14 days or 3 years.
• Exempt members of religious orders from the requirement that the role must not mainly involve non-pastoral duties.
• Change how the financial requirement is assessed where the role is exempt from the National Minimum Wage.

Applications made before 29 October 2026 will be decided under the rules in force at the time.

Settlement

You can usually apply for indefinite leave to remain after 5 years' continuous residence, subject to the requirements, including the Life in the UK test. From 26 March 2027, settlement applications will need English at B2 in speaking and listening. Proposals to lengthen the settlement period are still only proposals and have not been made law.

How the application works

1. The religious organisation confirms it holds a sponsor licence covering the T2 Minister of Religion route, or applies for one.
2. The sponsor assigns a Certificate of Sponsorship describing the role, its duties and pay.
3. You apply online, from outside the UK or, if eligible to switch or extend, from inside the UK, and prove your identity.
4. The Home Office decides the application. You must not start the role until you have permission.

Documents and evidence commonly needed

• A valid passport or other travel document.
• Your CoS reference number.
• Evidence that you meet the B2 English requirement, unless you are exempt.
• Bank statements showing the required funds, unless you are exempt or your sponsor certifies maintenance.
• Evidence of your qualifications, training or experience within your faith, where relevant to the role.

Information for sponsors

Faith organisations must hold a sponsor licence and meet their sponsor duties, including keeping records and reporting changes in a worker's circumstances. The CoS fee for this route is currently £525. The Immigration Skills Charge regulations list clergy (SOC code 2463) as an exempt occupation, although the GOV.UK employer guidance does not currently repeat this. We can confirm how this applies to a particular role.

Common problems we help with

• Showing that the role is genuinely pastoral and fits this route rather than the Religious Worker route.
• Planning extensions around the current 6-year limit and the change on 29 October 2026.
• Sponsor licence applications and compliance for faith organisations.
• Extensions where the role, hours or pay have changed since the original CoS was assigned.
• Preparing for the higher English requirement at settlement.

How Stonebridge can help

We advise both ministers and faith organisations. We assess eligibility, review the CoS and supporting evidence, prepare and submit the application, and deal with the Home Office if questions arise. We can also help organisations with their sponsor licence and ongoing duties.

To discuss a Minister of Religion application, book a consultation.