Religious Worker visa (Temporary Work)
Overview
You can apply for a Temporary Work - Religious Worker visa if:
- you want to do religious work in a non-pastoral role or religious order
- you meet the other eligibility requirements
This visa has replaced the T5 (Temporary Worker) Religious Worker visa.
If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
If you or your family member started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme.
The deadline to apply was 30 June 2021 for most people. You can still apply if either:
- you have a later deadline - for example, you’re joining a family member in the UK who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020
- you have ‘reasonable grounds’ for being unable to apply by 30 June 2021 - for example, you had an illness or were the victim of domestic abuse
Check if you can still apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Otherwise you need a visa to work in the UK.
Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Sponsorship
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.
How long it takes
You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.
You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.
Getting a decision
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:
- 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
- 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK
If you need to go to an appointment, you may be able to pay for a faster decision. How you do this depends on whether you’re outside the UK or inside the UK.
How much it costs
You, your partner or children will each need to:
- pay the application fee
- pay the healthcare surcharge, which is usually £624 per year - you can check how much you’ll have to pay
- prove you have enough personal savings - check how much in the eligibility requirements
Application fee
The application fee for each person applying is £259.
The fee is the same whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.
How long you can stay
You’ll be given a visa to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months, or up to 28 days more than the time on your certificate of sponsorship. You may be sponsored for a shorter period.
You can enter the UK up to 14 days before the start date of your job.
What you can and cannot do
You can:
- study - for some courses you’ll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate
- work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship
- do a second job in the same sector at the same level as your main job for up to 20 hours per week outside the hours of your main job
- do a job on the Skilled Worker shortage occupation list for up to 20 hours per week outside the hours of your main job
- bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
You cannot get public funds.