T5 Religious Worker Visa

The Religious Worker visa route is for those, who want to support the activities of religious institutions in the United Kingdom by conducting religious work, such as working in a religious order or undertaking non-pastoral work.

Mandatory criteria to be met when applying for Religious Worker visa are split into validity, suitability, eligibility, genuineness, sponsorship and financial requirements.

This route does not lead to settlement in the United Kingdom. The maximum period that can be spent in the UK on this route is 2 years. A dependent partner and child can join the main applicant on this route.

The Religious Worker visa application must be made from outside of the UK. It is possible to apply for permission to stay within the UK if the applicant was last granted leave as a Religious Worker.

When applying from outside of the UK, the applicant must not have been present in the UK as a Religious Worker or Charity Worker migrant at any time during the 12 months’ period immediately before the date of application.
In order to be successfully granted Religious Worker visa, the applicant must have been issued with a Certificate of Sponsorship from an A-rated sponsor listed on the Home Office’s register of licensed sponsors. As a part of the application process, the sponsor might be required to conduct the Resident Labour Market Test (advertisement process).

In relation to the financial requirement, when applying for permission to stay in the United Kingdom and having resided in the UK with permission for 12 months, the applicant will automatically meet the financial requirement. If not, the applicant must have held the funds of at least £1,270 for a 28-day period or have a confirmation from their A-rated Licensed sponsor that they will meet the maintenance associated with the visa application.

For further information about Religious Worker visa and for the tailored advice to a specific case scenario please do not hesitate to contact our Immigration Team.

Our regulated advisers have had many years of experience assisting applicants and their family members with their relocation to the UK under this visa route.