Temporary Worker - Religious Worker Visa (Tier 5)
You can apply for a Tier 5 (Temporary Worker - Religious Worker) visa if:
- you want to do religious work, such as preaching or working in a religious order
- you are from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland
- you meet the other eligibility requirements
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 will take
The earliest you can apply for a visa is 3 months before the date you are due to start work. This date is on your certificate of sponsorship.
You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK.
Fees
How much you pay for a Tier 5 (Temporary Worker - Religious Worker) visa depends on your situation, where you are and how you apply.
Who you are applying for - You
Fee - £244
Who you are applying for - If you are a citizen of Turkey or Macedonia
Fee - £189
Who you are applying for - All dependants
Fee - £244 each
Healthcare Surcharge
You will also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. Check how much you will have to pay before you apply.
If you are applying to extend or switch in the UK
You will need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.
Get a faster decision on your application
If you are applying to extend or switch in the UK you can pay an extra £500 for the priority service to get a decision within 5 working days.
You can pay an extra £800 for the super priority service to get a decision:
- by the end of the next working day after providing your biometric information if your appointment is on a weekday
- 2 working days after providing your biometric information if your appointment is at the weekend
Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.
Once you have got your decision letter, your biometric residence permit will take up to 10 working days to arrive.
How long you can stay
You will 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 will 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 Tier 2 shortage occupation list for up to 20 hours per week outside the hours of your main job
- bring family members with you
You cannot
- get public funds.
See Also: