UK Temporary Work Religious Worker Visa
Specialist Legal Representation for Faith Based Appointments
The Religious Worker Visa allows overseas nationals to enter the United Kingdom for short term religious employment, community service, or pastoral duties with a licensed faith organisation. It is a temporary visa route designed for individuals who support religious life but are not undertaking permanent leadership or ministerial roles.
For immediate advice or to begin your application, contact Immigration Solicitors UK on +44 2080 162308 or use our online enquiry form.
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Specialist Legal Representation for Faith Based Appointments
The Religious Worker Visa allows overseas nationals to enter the United Kingdom for short term religious employment, community service, or pastoral duties with a licensed faith organisation. It is a temporary visa route designed for individuals who support religious life but are not undertaking permanent leadership or ministerial roles.
For immediate advice or to begin your application, contact Immigration Solicitors UK on +44 2080 162308 or use our online enquiry form.
Understanding the Religious Worker Visa
The Religious Worker Visa forms part of the UK’s Appendix Temporary Work category. It enables faith based organisations to bring international workers to the UK to assist in worship, community outreach, or practical support functions within their religious institution.
It is not intended for ministers, priests, imams, or rabbis who lead congregations. Those roles fall under the Minister of Religion (T2) route.
To qualify for a Religious Worker Visa in 2026, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old on the date of application
- Hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a UK religious organisation with an A rated sponsor licence
- Have a genuine short term role that supports religious work, without filling a permanent vacancy
- Have held at least £1,270 in personal savings for 28 consecutive days, unless your sponsor certifies maintenance
- Not have held a Religious Worker or Charity Worker visa in the previous 12 months unless you spent that time wholly outside the UK
- Provide a tuberculosis certificate if required by your country of residence
Certificate of Sponsorship
Your sponsoring organisation must:
- Hold a valid Temporary Work Religious Worker sponsor licence
- Issue your CoS within three months before your visa application
- Confirm that your role does not constitute a permanent position
- Verify that your salary meets or exceeds the UK National Minimum Wage, unless exempt under Home Office policy
- Specify the start and end dates of your role accurately
Each Certificate of Sponsorship can be used only once.
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Applicants must show evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves, usually £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days.
This requirement is waived if:
- Your A rated sponsor certifies maintenance on your CoS, or
- You have lived lawfully in the UK for 12 months or more prior to applying.
Duration of Stay and Extensions
For entry clearance applications made from outside the UK, the Home Office normally grants:
- Permission covering the duration stated on your Certificate of Sponsorship, plus 14 days before the start date and 14 days after the end date, giving a total 28 day cushion.
For in country extensions, the period granted is the CoS duration plus 14 days after the end date.
You can extend your stay for up to 24 months in total if you continue with the same sponsor and still meet all eligibility conditions.
Applications are generally decided within three weeks. Priority (5 working days) and Super Priority (1 working day) services are available for an additional fee.
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Under Appendix Temporary Work Religious Worker, you may:
- Assist in conducting worship or services
- Undertake pastoral and community support activities
- Participate in limited teaching, training, or outreach duties as part of your sponsor’s work
Supplementary Employment
You may take supplementary work for up to 20 hours per week, provided the additional role:
- Is in the same profession and at the same skill level as your sponsored role, or
- Appears on the Immigration Salary List
You cannot accept unrelated employment or work for a different organisation without meeting these conditions.
ETA Requirement for Short Term Religious Visitors
From January 2026, most non visa nationals including EU, US, and Australian citizens attending short religious events in the UK for under six months without sponsorship must now obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling.
This requirement does not apply to Religious Worker Visa holders but may be relevant for visitors entering under the Standard Visitor Religious category.
Dependants
Your spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, and dependent children under 18 may accompany you if they meet relationship and maintenance requirements. Each dependant must apply separately and will be granted leave in line with your visa duration.
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You will need:
- Your Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
- A valid passport with one blank page
- Proof of funds or sponsor maintenance certification
- Tuberculosis test results if required
- Evidence of relationship for dependants
- Certified translations for any non English or non Welsh documents
Fees and Processing
- Visa fee applies
- Immigration Health Surcharge applies
- Decision time around 3 weeks, with faster options available for an additional fee
How Immigration Solicitors UK Can Help
Our solicitors specialise in advising faith organisations, ministries, temples, mosques, and churches on how to lawfully bring religious workers to the UK.
We assist both sponsors and applicants by providing:
- Full eligibility assessments and CoS preparation
- Document and financial verification to ensure compliance
- Advice on sponsor licence management and audit readiness
- Representation for extensions, dependants, and compliance reviews
Every Religious Worker case is overseen by Rana Aslam Zia Khan, Director of Immigration Solicitors UK.
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Our Services
we understand that immigrating to a new country is a significant
decision that comes with its own set of challenges.
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For expert legal guidance on your Religious Worker Visa or to discuss sponsoring overseas faith workers, contact our immigration team today.
Call +44 2080 162308 or complete our online enquiry form.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be paid under this visa?
Yes, as long as payment aligns with UK wage standards and the work is within your sponsoring organisation or approved supplementary employment.
Can I extend my stay?
Yes, up to a total of 24 months, if you remain with the same sponsor.
Do I need an English test?
No, there is no English language requirement for this visa.
Can I take another job?
Yes, up to 20 hours per week in a similar role or on the Immigration Salary List, as allowed under Rule RW 8.3.
Do I need an ETA?
Not if you hold this visa, but most visitors attending short religious events without sponsorship will need an ETA from 2026.
