Appendix T2- Minister of Religion

Appendix T2 is a part of UK immigration rules. It outlines the requirements for various visas under the T2 category, including the appendix T2 minister of religion visa. This route replaced the Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) route. The new T2 minister of religion visa is for religious workers and their dependent partners and dependent children.

The T2 minister of religion also leads to settlement, i.e., indefinite leave to remain. After holding ILR for one year, the visa holders can apply for British citizenship.

What is Appendix T2 Minister of Religion?

Appendix T2 Minister of Religion explains the requirements for this visa route. The T2 minister of religion is a visa route for foreign nationals who want to come to the UK to work as a religious leader, such as a minister of religion, pastor, imam, or rabbi. You must have a certificate of sponsorship from a faith-based organization or religious organization in the UK to be able to apply for the visa.

A T2 minister of religion visa allows you to live and work in the UK in a religious role. You can stay on this visa for an initial period of 3 years and one month or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter. You can also apply for an extension.

The visa also allows your dependent partner and children to apply on this route.

The Types of Work Allowed Under T2 Minister of Religion

You can perform the following types of work as a T2 Minister of Religion visa holder.

Religious Leadership -

You can work as a religious leader, such as a minister of religion, pastor, imam, or rabbi, within your religious faith or religious order.

Leading Congregation -

You can lead a congregation in performing religious ceremonies and rituals, delivering sermons, and preaching the essentials of the creed.

Pastoral work -

You can give your service for spiritual guidance and religious education.

Missionary Work -

You can engage in missionary activities associated with your faith.

Teaching -

You can teach religious studies or other related subjects within your community or institution in the UK, but you cannot take other jobs outside your religious duties.

Administrative Roles -

You can do administrative work related to your religious roles, such as managing religious events or activities.

Religious Training -

You can provide training to others in your faith or religious organization.

The visa is especially for roles related to religious functions and allows you to serve your community in the UK, but you cannot take other jobs outside your religious duties.

Validity Requirements

You must meet the following validity requirements for a T2 minister of religion visa for entry clearance or permission to stay in the UK.

Age - You must be aged 18 or over on the date of application.

Fee Payment - You must pay the relevant application fee and Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (if applicable).

Certificate of Sponsorship Reference Number - An approved sponsor (faith-based organization or religious order) must assign a certificate of sponsorship (COS) to you. This is required for entering the reference number for the COS. 

Submit Your Biometric Details - This is the part of proving your identity. For this, you need to submit your biometric information (fingerprints and photographs) at a visa application center.

Prove your Nationality - You need to submit your passport or other valid travel document to prove your identity and nationality.

Switching to the T2 Minister of Religion Visa - You cannot apply to switch to this visa if you have or had last been granted permission on the following:

• UK Visitor Visa
• Short-term Student Visa
• Parent of a Child Student
• Seasonal Worker Visa
• Domestic Worker in a Private Household
• Outside the Immigration Rules

Suitability Requirements

You must meet the suitability requirement when you apply for entry clearance or permission to stay on the T2 minister of religion route.

General Grounds for Refusal - There must not be general grounds under part 9: grounds for refusal in your case.

No Breach of Immigration Law - If you are applying from outside the UK for entry clearance, you should not be:

•  In breach of immigration laws
• On immigration bail 

Eligibility Requirements

In order to apply for entry clearance or permission to stay as a T2 minister of religion, you need to meet the following eligibility criteria.

Certificate of Sponsorship -

You must have a valid certificate of sponsorship from a religious organization. Your COS must confirm the following:

• Your name, details of the job and salary, and any other remuneration. 
• Your job is as a T2 Minister of Religion.
• You are qualified to do the job. 
• You are a member of the sponsor’s religious order (if the sponsoring organization is a religious order).
• You will perform religious duties such as preaching and pastoral and non-pastoral work within your sponsor’s organization or under the direction of your sponsoring organization.
• Your role will not mainly involve non-pastoral duties, such as school teaching, media production, etc., unless you are in a senior position within the sponsoring organization.
• Your salary and conditions will be at least equal to those given to settled workers in the same role. It should also be compliant with, or exempt from, the national minimum wage.

Points Requirement –

UK T2 minister of religion is a sub-category of the UK skilled worker visa. Hence, it comes under the point-based system. You must be awarded 70 points to be eligible for this visa.

You are awarded the points as follows:

• For a valid certificate of sponsorship—50 points
• For meeting financial requirements—10 points
• For meeting English language skills at level B2—10 points

Financial Requirement -

You can meet the financial requirement in the following ways.

• You have held funds of at least £1,270 for 28 days.
• You are applying for permission to stay and have been living in the UK with permission for 12 months or longer on the date of application.
• Your sponsor will maintain and accommodate you for the first month of your employment for an amount of at least £1,270. This should be confirmed by your sponsor on COS. 

English Language Requirement -

Unless exempt, you must show English language skills of at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

Submit TB Test Certificate -

This is required if you are applying for entry clearance and you have lived within a country listed in Immigration Rules Appendix Tuberculosis (TB) for 6 months before making the application.

You don’t need this if you are applying from inside the UK.

Things you can and cannot do as T2 Minister of Religion

You can do the following when you are granted a T2 minister of religion visa.

• Perform the job outlined in your certificate of sponsorship for your employer.
• Take on a second job, under specific conditions.
• Engage in voluntary work.
• Pursue studies, provided it doesn’t conflict with your sponsored job.
• Travel abroad and return to the UK.
• Bring your partner and children with you as your dependents, if they meet the eligibility criteria.

You cannot do the following on this visa.

• Take ownership of more than 10% of your sponsor’s shares unless your annual income is more than £159,600.
• Get public funds.

How can we help?

At Visa and Migration, we focus on UK immigration and have successfully assisted numerous individuals with both simple and complex Minister of Religion applications. As the appropriate application route depends on your specific situation, we advise speaking with our highly skilled immigration lawyers before moving forward.

Our goal is to save you time and money while ensuring a smooth and hassle-free application process. For any query related to the UK T2 minister of religion application, you can call us at +44 (0)20 3411 1261.