This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the Religious Worker Visa UK in 2026. Whether you're a visiting religious worker, a member of a religious order, or someone undertaking non-pastoral religious duties, this guide explains the eligibility requirements, application process, fees, and how this temporary work visa differs from the Minister of Religion route. The Religious Worker Visa (formerly known as the T5 or Tier 5 Religious Worker Visa) allows stays of up to 24 months for religious work in the UK.
Understanding the Religious Worker Visa UK (Temporary Work)
The Religious Worker Visa UK is a temporary work visa that allows overseas nationals to come to the UK to undertake religious work in a non-pastoral role or as part of a religious order. This visa has replaced the former T5 (Tier 5) Temporary Worker Religious Visa and is one of two main sponsored work routes available for religious workers, the other being the Minister of Religion Visa for those in pastoral leadership roles.
What is the Religious Worker Visa UK?
The Religious Worker Visa UK is a temporary sponsored work visa for overseas nationals who wish to undertake non-pastoral religious work for a UK faith-based organisation. It permits stays of up to 24 months and requires a Certificate of Sponsorship from a Home Office licensed sponsor. Unlike the Minister of Religion visa, it does not lead to settlement in the UK.
The Religious Worker Visa is designed for individuals who support the activities of UK-based religious institutions without taking on primary pastoral leadership responsibilities. This includes roles such as administrative support for religious charities, working on specific religious projects, missionary work that doesn't involve leading a congregation, and membership of religious orders such as monastic communities.
What is Pastoral Support?
Pastoral support refers to activities that provide spiritual guidance, counselling, and care to members of a religious community. On the Religious Worker Visa, you can undertake some pastoral work, but your primary role must not involve leading a congregation in performing religious rites, rituals, or preaching the essentials of the creed—these leadership duties require the Minister of Religion visa.
Eligible Roles for the Religious Worker Visa
Three main categories of religious workers can apply for this visa route:
- Non-Pastoral Religious Workers: Individuals performing religious duties without leading a congregation in rites, rituals, or preaching the essentials of faith
- Visiting Religious Workers: Those employed abroad in the same religious work they plan to do in the UK, with ongoing employment in their home country
- Members of Religious Orders: Individuals in monastic communities, including monks, nuns, and similar religious communities
Religious Worker Visa UK Requirements 2026
To qualify for a Religious Worker Visa, you must meet specific eligibility criteria set by the Home Office. Unlike the Skilled Worker Visa, there is no English language requirement for this route, making it more accessible for religious workers from non-English speaking backgrounds.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
You must be at least 18 years old, have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed sponsor, demonstrate genuine intention to undertake the sponsored role, have £1,270 in personal savings (unless your sponsor certifies maintenance), and not have held a Religious Worker or Charity Worker visa in the past 12 months (unless you were outside the UK).
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed sponsor
- Genuinely intend to undertake the sponsored religious role
- Have £1,270 in savings held for 28 consecutive days (unless sponsor certifies)
- Not have held Religious Worker or Charity Worker visa in past 12 months
- Provide valid TB test certificate (if from a listed country)
- Not fall under general grounds for refusal
Certificate of Sponsorship Requirements
Your UK sponsor must be a Home Office licensed religious organisation with a valid Temporary Worker sponsor licence. The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is an electronic document containing a unique reference number that confirms your job details and the sponsor's compliance with immigration rules. The CoS must:
- Confirm your full name and that you are being sponsored as a Religious Worker
- Detail the job role and confirm it meets Religious Worker eligibility criteria
- Confirm pay and conditions are no less favourable than settled workers in the same role
- State the start date no more than 3 months after application date
- Confirm resident labour market requirements are met (or explain exemption)
Financial Requirements
Unlike work visas with minimum salary thresholds, the Religious Worker Visa does not require a specific minimum salary. However, your sponsor must confirm that your pay and conditions are no less favourable than those given to settled workers in the same role. This may include a traditional salary, stipend, board and lodgings, or a combination, but must comply with the National Minimum Wage Regulations 2015 (unless exempt under Section 44A for residential members of religious communities).
For maintenance funds, you must show £1,270 in your bank account held for at least 28 consecutive days, with the end date of this period falling within 31 days of your application. Alternatively, your sponsor can certify on the CoS that they will maintain and accommodate you for the first month. If you have been in the UK for 12 months or more with valid permission, you automatically meet the financial requirement without needing to show funds.
Religious Worker Visa vs Minister of Religion Visa: Key Differences
Understanding the difference between these two religious work routes is crucial for choosing the correct visa. The routes serve different purposes and have significantly different outcomes regarding settlement and long-term stay in the UK.
If your role involves leading a congregation in performing religious rites and rituals, preaching the essentials of the creed, or serving as a priest, imam, rabbi, or similar religious leader, you should apply for the Minister of Religion Visa instead. The Religious Worker route is for supporting roles that do not involve primary pastoral leadership.
Religious Worker Visa UK Fees 2026
The UK visa fees for the Religious Worker Visa are standardised across all Temporary Worker categories. The application fee is the same whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK.
Example Cost Calculation (24-Month Visa)
For a single applicant applying for the maximum 24-month Religious Worker Visa:
- Visa Application Fee: £319
- Immigration Health Surcharge: £2,070 (£1,035 × 2 years)
- TOTAL: £2,389
How to Apply for a Religious Worker Visa UK
The application process is completed online through the official gov.uk portal. You can apply up to 3 months before your intended start date in the UK.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Religious Worker Visa?
Standard processing for a Religious Worker Visa takes approximately 3 weeks if applying from outside the UK, or 8 weeks if applying from inside the UK. Priority service (£500 extra) offers a decision within 5 working days where available. For detailed processing times, see our comprehensive guide.
- Step 1: Obtain Certificate of Sponsorship from licensed UK sponsor
- Step 2: Complete online application form on gov.uk
- Step 3: Pay visa fee (£319) and Immigration Health Surcharge
- Step 4: Prove identity (biometrics appointment or UK Immigration: ID Check app)
- Step 5: Submit supporting documents (passport, TB test if required, financial evidence)
- Step 6: Wait for decision (3 weeks standard, 5 working days priority)
- Step 7: Receive visa vignette or eVisa confirmation
Required Documents
When applying, you will need to provide:
- Valid passport with at least one blank page
- Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
- Proof of £1,270 savings held for 28 consecutive days (unless exempt)
- TB test certificate if applying from a listed country
- Proof of relationship if applying with dependants
- Certified translations of any documents not in English or Welsh
What Can You Do on a Religious Worker Visa?
Once your Religious Worker Visa is granted, you can:
- Work for your sponsor in the job described on your Certificate of Sponsorship
- Study alongside your work (some courses may require ATAS certificate)
- Second job in same sector/level for up to 20 hours per week
- Shortage occupation job for up to 20 hours per week
- Bring dependants (spouse/partner and children under 18)
You cannot access public funds while on this visa. If your application is refused, you should understand the common UK visa refusal reasons before reapplying.
- Application fee is £319 plus £1,035/year Immigration Health Surcharge
- Maximum stay is 24 months with no route to settlement
- No English language requirement (unlike Minister of Religion)
- 12-month cooling off period applies after visa expires
- For pastoral leadership roles, apply for Minister of Religion visa instead
For official guidance on the Religious Worker Visa application process, visit the gov.uk Religious Worker Visa page. Religious organisations seeking to sponsor workers should consult the Home Office sponsor guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get settled status (ILR) on a Religious Worker Visa?
No, the Religious Worker Visa does not lead to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain). It is a temporary work visa with a maximum stay of 24 months. Time spent on this visa does not count toward settlement qualifying periods. If you want a pathway to settlement, consider the Minister of Religion Visa, which leads to ILR after 5 years of continuous residence.
What is the difference between Religious Worker and Charity Worker visa?
The Religious Worker Visa allows paid religious work for up to 24 months, while the Charity Worker Visa is for unpaid voluntary work for up to 12 months. Religious organisations can use the Charity Worker route if the role is unpaid and directly related to charitable purposes. Both visas share a 12-month cooling off period, meaning you cannot hold either visa if you had one in the previous 12 months.
Do I need to speak English to apply for a Religious Worker Visa?
No, there is no English language requirement for the Religious Worker Visa. This is a key difference from the Minister of Religion Visa, which requires English at B2 level. However, you should have sufficient language skills to perform your sponsored role effectively.
Can I extend my Religious Worker Visa beyond 24 months?
No, you cannot extend your stay beyond the 24-month maximum. If your initial visa was granted for less than 24 months, you can extend up to the maximum, but once you reach 24 months total, you must leave the UK. You cannot reapply for a Religious Worker Visa for 12 months after your visa expires (the cooling off period). For longer stays, consider switching to the Minister of Religion route if eligible.
Can I bring my family to the UK on a Religious Worker Visa?
Yes, you can bring your spouse or partner and children under 18 as dependants if they meet the eligibility requirements. Your partner can include an unmarried partner if you have lived together for at least 2 years. Dependants can work (including self-employment) and study in the UK. Their visas will have the same end date as yours, and each dependant must pay the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.
What happens if my sponsor loses their licence?
If your sponsor's licence is revoked, your visa will be curtailed (shortened) and you will typically be given 60 days to find a new sponsor, leave the UK, or apply for a different visa. You cannot continue working for the organisation once their licence is revoked. It is important to find a new licensed sponsor quickly if you wish to remain in the UK.
Can I switch to a Religious Worker Visa from another visa category?
Generally, you cannot switch into the Religious Worker Visa from within the UK. You must apply from outside the UK with entry clearance. Switching is also not permitted between Temporary Worker subcategories. If you are already in the UK on another visa type, you will typically need to return to your home country to apply for a Religious Worker Visa. Professional immigration solicitors can advise on specific circumstances.
Are there church jobs in the UK with visa sponsorship?
Yes, many UK churches and religious organisations hold sponsor licences and can sponsor overseas workers. For pastoral leadership roles (ministers, priests, vicars), they would sponsor you on the Minister of Religion route. For non-pastoral supporting roles, they would use the Religious Worker route. For unpaid volunteer positions, the Charity Worker visa may apply if the organisation is a registered charity. You can check if an organisation is a licensed sponsor on the Home Office register of sponsors.