Religious Worker — Temporary Work

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

This visa has replaced the T5 (Temporary Worker) Religious Worker visa.

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.

Your sponsor must be recognised by the UK government to issue certificates of sponsorship.

A certificate of sponsorship is a unique reference number that holds information about the job you’ll do and your personal details.

Your certificate of sponsorship is valid for 3 months from the date it is assigned to you.

your certificate of sponsorship reference number - your employer will give you this a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality 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) proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they’re applying with you your tuberculosis (TB) test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test

You’ll need to provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.

Your employer must make sure your job pays at least the minimum wage and follows the UK rules for how many hours a week you work.

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.

you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months

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 immigration salary list for up to 20 hours per week outside the hours of your main job

study - for some courses you’ll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate

You cannot get public funds.

your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK, up to £1,270

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 can enter the UK up to 14 days before the start date of your job.

You can apply to take your stay in the UK up to a maximum of 24 months, or the time on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days - whichever is shorter.

You must apply again if you want to change your job within the same organisation or move to a new organisation.

bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible

You cannot get this visa if you were given a Religious Worker or Charity Worker visa in the last year, unless you can prove you were outside the UK for the whole of that time.