COMPLIANCE DEVELOPMENT
Temporary Worker – Religious Worker visa (Tier 5)
Our immigration team has supported foreign applicants wishing to come to the UK to develop the activities of religious institutions in the UK through religious work. This is a temporary visa and sponsored immigration route, which means, the employer is an approved UK sponsor.
The visa will allow you to work in the role you have been sponsored for up to 24 months. It can grant you permission to enter the UK 14 days prior to your start date. You may be entitled to do a second job in the same sector and role as the main job or a role on the shortage occupation list.
ELIGIBILITY
To qualify as religious worker you must have a job offer in an eligible role as specified in these 3 categories:
- Religious workers undertaking supporting activities
- Visiting religious workers
- Members of religious orders
You may not be eligible if your role requires you to undertake core duties such as leading a congregation. If so, you can apply via the Minister of Religion visa route. We can help you clarify the appropriate nature of your visa application where relevant.
You can apply for a Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – Religious Worker) visa if:
- You want to do religious work, such as preaching or working in a religious order.
- You’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
- You must be over 18 years old.
- You hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship
- You have enough money to support yourself
You must have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed sponsor before you can apply to come to the UK to work. The work you do in the UK must relate to your sponsor organisation’s work.