Minister of Religion

Eligibility

Offered a job as a minister, missionary or member of a religious order. English required. HC 584 changes in force 29 Oct 2026. Funds £1,270. Dependant funds (most work routes): £285 for a partner, £315 for one child, £200 for each additional child, held 28 days – unless your A-rated sponsor certifies maintenance.

Key facts (checked 31 Oct 2026)

What you can and cannot do, how long you can stay (official)

How long you can stay

You can come to the UK with a Minister of Religion visa (T2) for up to 3 years, or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.

You can apply to extend your stay.

After 5 years, you may be able to apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’). This gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible.

You must apply before your visa expires.

Source: GOV.UK – Overview

What you can and cannot do

You can:

• work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship
• do a second job - in certain circumstances
• do voluntary work
• study as long as it does not interfere with the job you’re sponsored for
• travel abroad and return to the UK
• bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible

You cannot get public funds.

Source: GOV.UK – Overview

Full eligibility criteria (official)

Eligibility

You need to:

• have a certificate of sponsorship for your job
• prove your knowledge of English
• have personal savings so you can support yourself when you arrive in the UK
• show you can travel and your travel history over the last 5 years
• have tuberculosis test results if you’re from a listed country
• be 18 or over when you apply

Your employer must make sure your job pays at least the minimum wage, unless you’re not entitled to the minimum wage. They must also follow the UK rules for how many hours a week you work.

If your employer does not meet these requirements, your application will be refused.

Certificate of sponsorship

A certificate of sponsorship holds your personal details and information about the job you’ve been offered. It’s an electronic record, not a paper document. Your sponsor will give you a certificate of sponsorship reference number to add to your application.

You can only use your certificate of sponsorship reference number once. You must use it within 3 months of getting it.

Money to support yourself

You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK.

You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.

You’ll usually need to show proof of this when you apply, unless either:

• you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months
• your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK, up to £1,270

Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they’re in the UK. Check how much they’ll need.

Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.

If your employer can support you instead

Your certificate of sponsorship must confirm this. Your employer will need to complete the ‘sponsor certifies maintenance’ section on your certificate. This is under ‘Additional data’.

If you’re not entitled to the minimum wage

Your sponsor must confirm on your certificate of sponsorship that they’ll provide financial support and accommodation for you, your partner and dependent children while you’re in the UK.

You do not need to provide evidence that you have enough money to support yourself.

Source: GOV.UK – Eligibility (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Knowledge of English

You may need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply. You can prove it in one of the following ways, by:

• having a degree from a UK institution

• having a degree from an institution that was outside the UK and taught in English

• passing an English test from an approved provider

If you have already proved your knowledge of English in a previous successful visa application, you may not have to prove it again.

If you have a degree from a UK institution

You can prove your knowledge of English if you have a degree-level qualification that was both:

• taught in English

• awarded by a UK institution, even if you studied outside the UK

If you have a degree from an institution outside the UK

If your degree was taught in English and was not awarded by a UK institution, you’ll need to apply for an assessment from Ecctis.

Ecctis will give you a code to confirm that your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher and was taught in English.

Passing an English test

If you do not have any qualifications that prove your knowledge of English, you will need to pass a secure English language test (SELT) with an approved provider.

You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least B2 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

Who does not need to prove their knowledge of English

You will not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following countries or territories:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• the Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• the British overseas territories
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Jamaica
• Malta
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• USA

You also may not have to prove your knowledge of English in other circumstances - check the full visa guidance.

Source: GOV.UK – Knowledge of English (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Documents checklist (official)

Documents you'll need

When you apply you’ll need to provide:

• your certificate of sponsorship reference number (your employer will give you this)
• proof of your knowledge of English
• evidence that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK, for example bank statements (unless your certificate of sponsorship shows your employer can support you or you’re not entitled to the minimum wage)
• a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality
• expired passports or travel documents if you need them to show your travel history
• your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a listed country

If your documents are not in English or Welsh you’ll also need to provide a certified translation.

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.

Read the guidance about the money you’ll need and how to prove it.

Source: GOV.UK – Documents you'll need (checked 31 Oct 2026)

How to apply, step by step (official)

Apply from outside the UK

You must apply online for a Minister of Religion visa (T2).

Check which documents you’ll need to apply.

Proving your identity and providing supporting documents

You’ll need to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre as part of your application.

Apply for a Minister of Religion visa (T2)

Once you’ve started your application you can save your form and complete it later.

Apply now

Continue your application

You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it.

Find out how to sign in to your account.

How long it takes to get 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.

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

After you apply

You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if the application has not been processed yet.

You’ll get an email containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

Source: GOV.UK – Apply from outside the UK (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Partner and children (official)

Your partner and children

Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.

If your partner or child’s application is successful, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours. If a child’s parents have visas with different expiry dates, the child’s visa will end on the earlier date.

Your relationship

A dependant partner or child is any of the following:

• your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
• your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay
• your child over 18 if they currently have permission (‘leave to enter’ or ‘leave to remain’) to be in the UK as your dependant

You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply.

Your partner

You must be able to prove that either:

• you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK
• you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply

If your child is 16 or over

They must:

• live with you (unless they’re in full-time education at boarding school, college or university)
• not be married, in a civil partnership or have any children
• be financially supported by you

If your child lives with you, you’ll need to provide evidence of their address such as:

• a bank statement
• credit card bills
• driving licence
• NHS registration document
• an official letter from their university or college

Money they need to support themselves

Your partner or children must have a certain amount of money available to support themselves while they’re in the UK.

You - or your partner or child - will need:

• £285 for your partner
• £315 for one child
• £200 for each additional child

Example

You - or your partner or child - would need to have £600 to bring your partner and one child with you to the UK (£285 for your partner and £315 for your child).

You would also need to have £1,270 to support yourself for your own application.

You - or your partner or child - will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of you or them applying for this visa.

You’ll usually need to show proof of this when they apply, unless either:

• you have all been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months
• your employer can cover your family’s costs during your first month in the UK - this must be confirmed on your certificate of sponsorship

If your partner or child is applying at a different time to you, they’ll only need to prove they have enough money to support themselves if they have been in the UK for less than one year.

If you’re not entitled to the minimum wage

Your partner and children do not need to provide evidence that they have enough money to support themselves.

Your sponsor must confirm on your certificate of sponsorship that they’ll provide financial support and accommodation for you, your partner and children while you’re in the UK.

Apply from outside the UK

Your partner and children must either:

• apply online as your partner
• apply online as your child

Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee. They must apply before they travel to the UK.

They’ll also need your application number - you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

Proving their identity

Your partner and children will need to have their fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre as part of their application. They may need to travel to get to their nearest centre (this could be in another country).

They’ll need to take their passport with them to the visa application centre (they’ll be able to collect it on the day).

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

They may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

Apply from inside the UK (extend or switch their visa)

If you extend or switch your visa, your partner or child’s current visa will still be valid until its original end date. Your partner or child need to apply to extend or switch their visa, either:

• at the same time as you
• at any time before their current visa expires

This includes children who have turned 18 during your stay.

Your partner or children cannot apply to switch to your Minister of Religion (T2) visa as your dependants if they are currently in the UK:

• on a visit visa
• on a short-term student visa
• on a Parent of a Child Student visa
• on a Seasonal Worker visa
• on a Domestic Worker in a Private Household visa or an Overseas Domestic Worker visa
• on immigration bail
• because they were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds

If your partner or child is currently in the UK on a Student visa, they can only switch if they have either:

• completed the course they were sponsored to study
• studied for a PhD for at least 24 months

How to apply

The application form will tell you if you can include your partner and children in your application or whether they need to apply separately.

If your partner or child apply separately, they’ll need to either:

Source: GOV.UK – Your partner and children (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Extending, switching and changing job (official)

Extend your visa

You may be able to apply to extend your stay in the UK under a Minister of Religion visa (T2).

You should apply before your current visa expires.

Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically extend if you extend yours. If they do not extend their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.

They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

Eligibility

You’ll still need to meet the eligibility requirements and provide the right documents.

You’ll also need a new certificate of sponsorship from your sponsor.

How long you can stay

You can extend a Minister of Religion visa (T2) for up to 3 years, or the time given in your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever time is shorter.

You may be able to apply to settle in the UK permanently if you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years on this visa.

Fees

Each person applying will need to pay:

• the visa application fee
• the healthcare surcharge for each year of their stay

You’ll also need to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken - there’s no fee for this.

Apply to extend your Minister of Religion visa (T2)

You must apply online before your current visa expires.

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Apply now

Continue your application

You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it.

Find out how to sign in to your account.

Providing biometric information and supporting documents

When you apply, you’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your fingerprints and a photo (biometric information).

You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents. You can:

• upload them into the online service
• have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

How long it takes to get a decision

You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.

You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

• your supporting documents need to be verified
• you need to attend an interview
• of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

After you apply

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

Source: GOV.UK – Extend your visa (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Switch to this visa

You might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to a Minister of Religion visa (T2) if you’re already in the UK on a different type of visa.

Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically switch to this visa if you switch yours. If they do not switch their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.

They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

Eligibility

You must meet the following requirements:

• your job meets the eligibility requirements
• you can speak, read, write and understand English

If you’re currently in the UK on a Student visa, you must also meet one of the following requirements:

• you have completed the course you were sponsored to study
• your job start date is after your course has finished
• you’re studying for a PhD full time, and have been for at least 24 months

Who cannot apply to switch to this visa

You cannot apply to switch to this visa if you’re currently in the UK:

• on a visit visa
• on a short-term student visa
• on a Parent of a Child Student visa
• on a Seasonal Worker visa
• on a Domestic Worker in a Private Household visa or an Overseas Domestic Worker visa
• on immigration bail
• because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds

You must leave the UK and apply for a Minister of Religion visa (T2) from abroad if you’re in one of these categories.

How long you can stay

You can stay up to 3 years after switching to a Minister of Religion visa (T2).

Fees

Each person applying will need to pay:

• the visa application fee
• the healthcare surcharge for each year of their stay

You’ll also need to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken - there’s no fee for this.

If you’ve been in the UK for less than 1 year

You’ll need to prove you have enough money to support yourself.

If you’re not entitled to the minimum wage

Your sponsor must confirm on your certificate of sponsorship that they’ll provide financial support and accommodation for you, your partner and dependent children while you’re in the UK.

Apply to switch to a Minister of Religion visa (T2)

You must apply online before your current visa expires.

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Apply now

Continue your application

You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it.

Find out how to sign in to your account.

Providing biometric information and supporting documents

When you apply, you’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your fingerprints and a photo (biometric information).

You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents. You can:

• upload them into the online service
• have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

How long it takes to get a decision

You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.

You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

• your supporting documents need to be verified
• you need to attend an interview
• of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

After you apply

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

Source: GOV.UK – Switch to this visa (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Taking a second job

You can take a second job on this visa if you’re working up to 20 hours a week in either:

• the same profession as your main job
• a profession on the Skilled Worker immigration salary list

You can also do unpaid voluntary work.

Otherwise, you’ll need to apply for a new visa. You’ll need to be sponsored by your second employer and get a new certificate of sponsorship.

When to apply for a new visa

You cannot apply for a new visa until you’ve started work with your first sponsor.

You cannot start work with your second sponsor until your visa application has been approved.

How to apply

Read the guidance before you apply.

You must apply online for a Minister of Religion visa.

You must be in the UK to apply.

Documents you must provide

You’ll need to provide some documents with your application.

You must also provide a letter explaining that you want to change your current permission to stay.

Your letter must state:

• your name
• your date of birth
• your current certificate of sponsorship reference number
• the date when your current permission to stay runs out

Source: GOV.UK – Taking a second job (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Processing times and faster decisions (official)

Standard: Usually 3 weeks (GOV.UK visa processing times).

• Priority service: +£500, usually a decision within 5 working days (settlement, citizenship and family-from-outside-UK: usually 30 working days).
• Super priority service: +£1,000, usually a decision by the end of the next working day after you prove your identity. Not available for citizenship.
• Availability depends on the route, the country and whether you use a UKVCAS centre or the ID Check app; there is a daily limit. You are told at the point of applying whether it is offered.

Source: GOV.UK – Get a faster decision on your visa or settlement application (checked 31 Oct 2026)

How the application works (official)

1. Check eligibility and gather documents (sections above). Sponsored routes: get your CoS/CAS reference first; endorsed routes: get your endorsement first.
2. Apply online on GOV.UK and pay the fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (if it applies) – IHS.
3. Prove your identity: either the UK Immigration: ID Check app (if offered) or an appointment at a visa application centre (outside the UK) or UKVCAS service point (inside the UK) for fingerprints and photo.
4. Upload documents and wait for the decision. Do not travel or leave the UK before a decision if applying from inside the UK – it can withdraw your application.
5. Your permission is issued as an eVisa in your UKVI account; physical BRPs are no longer issued. Link your passport to it and use share codes to prove your rights – GOV.UK eVisas.

Path to settlement (ILR) and citizenship

After 5 years.

Citizenship normally needs ILR (or settled status) held for 12 months – or immediately if married to a British citizen – plus the residence, absences, good character, Life in the UK test (£50) and English B1 requirements. See GOV.UK – Settle in the UK and GOV.UK – Citizenship if you have ILR.