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Minister of Religion visa (T2)

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

1 day – 2 months

Varies by processing route

Estimated Cost

GBP £2,673–£4,421

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

38 months

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

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Living in United Kingdom

Cost of Living

2% cheaper than United States

Avg Salary£31,000

Quality of Life

174/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Work visa for ordained ministers and religious leaders with key roles in faith organisations. Longer-term than Religious Worker visa, path to settlement.

The T2 Minister of Religion visa lets ordained ministers and religious leaders take up key roles at UKVI-licensed faith organisations in the UK. It requires a valid Certificate of Sponsorship, age 18 or over, and English at B2 CEFR level.

Initial stay is up to 3 years and 1 month, extendable in 3-year blocks. After 5 continuous years holders can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Dependants may join and are permitted to work. The visa costs £819 outside the UK or £943 to extend in-country, plus the £1,035-per-year Immigration Health Surcharge.

This visa is ideal for ordained ministers, imams, rabbis, or pastors offered a substantive long-term religious leadership role by a UKVI-licensed UK faith community, with ILR as the end goal.

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Cost Breakdown

Principal applicant (outside UK)GBP £819

Principal applicant (extend/switch in UK)GBP £943

Each dependant (outside UK)GBP £819

Each dependant (extend/switch in UK)GBP £943

Priority serviceGBP £500

optional

Super priority serviceGBP £1,000

optional

Immigration Health SurchargeGBP £1,035

TotalGBP £2,673–£4,421

Processing Time

Standard (outside UK)	1–21 days
Standard (extend/switch in UK)	1 day – 2 months
Priority	5 days
Super priority	1–2 days

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

3.1 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

United Kingdom

Skilled Worker Visa

Validity5 years per grant (renewable indefinitely)

Processing3 weeks

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Spouse/Partner Visa

Validity33 months

Processing2 months – 1 year

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Job offer from a UK Visas and Immigration licensed sponsoring faith community employer

Valid certificate of sponsorship (must be used within 3 months of receipt)

Age 18 or over

English language proficiency at B2 level minimum (SELT or degree taught in English)

£1,270 in personal savings (waived if held valid UK visa 12+ months or employer covers first-month costs)

TB test certificate if from a listed country

5 years of travel history documentation

KEY CRITERIA

Min. Savings

1,270 GBP

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport or travel document

Certificate of sponsorship reference number

English language qualification evidence (SELT certificate or degree certificate taught in English)

Bank statements showing £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days (unless exempt)

TB test certificate (if applicable)

5 years of travel history documentation

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Qualifying for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) after 5 years
Can bring partner and dependent children under 18
Permitted to take a second job up to 20 hours per week in the same profession or a Skilled Worker list role
Can volunteer and study during stay
Can travel abroad freely
Extendable up to a 6-year maximum stay

Worth Knowing

No recourse to public funds
Cannot switch from a visit visa, short-term student visa, Seasonal Worker visa, Domestic Worker visa, immigration bail, or leave outside the rules
Cannot travel outside UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man while an in-UK extension is pending
Certificate of sponsorship must be used within 3 months of receipt
Healthcare surcharge is mandatory and payable in addition to the visa fee
Savings requirement waived if employer covers first-month costs or applicant has held a valid UK visa for 12+ months