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Skip to content THIS VISA TYPE IS SUITABLE IF YOU;
Are a Religious minister who wants to complete pastoral work, make a religious speech or preach / Conduct a wedding or funeral without collecting payment.
If you need help applying for a visa, our attorneys can help.
Call 02033844389 right now to learn more.
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Overseas religious workers can apply for a Religious Visit Visa to visit the UK to preach or undertake pastoral work, unpaid, for up to six months.
This is a subcategory of the Standard Visitor route.
All visitors must apply separately, even if they are travelling in a group.
This visa type is short-term and can be granted for up to 6 months. It will not provide any other rights of residence or allow you to become settled in the UK.
Immigration routes and rules are constantly changing in line with UK government guidelines. UK Immigration Solicitors strive to ensure that they are always well informed about any changes and how they may affect you and your next steps.
UK Visas & Immigration requires the following requirements in order to grant you a Religious Visit Visa:
Depending on your circumstances, you may need to satisfy different requirements.
Visa nationals are individuals who, due to their nationality, need a Visit Visa in order to enter the UK as a visitor. Visitors who require a visit visa must apply before they travel to the UK.
The Home Office has published a list of nationalities that require a Visit Visa before travelling to the UK as a visitor. Some visa nationals may be able to enter the UK as visitors upon arrival under this list. Our expert team will be able to check and confirm whether you require a visa for your visit to the UK.
Non-visa nationals can normally apply for entry as visitors upon arrival in the UK. Nonetheless, visitors without visas must meet the requirements for entry as visitors, so upon arrival they should be prepared to explain, for example, the purpose of their trip and how they intend to be accommodated and maintained in the UK, as well as their travel plans for returning home.
Non-visa nationals, including those from the EU or EEA, can enter the UK as visitors and do not need to apply for a visit visa.
Unsure about whether you require a visa? Speak to our expert team now to confirm if you are required to apply for a visit visa before being granted entry into the UK.
Any person who is employed overseas to perform religious duties, such as preaching or pastoral work, can be considered a Religious Worker.
UK Visas & Immigration will need to be satisfied that you are seeking entry to the UK for a purpose that is permitted by the visitor routes and that you will not engage in any prohibited activities.
It is permissible for religious workers to perform pastoral duties during their employment overseas, such as conducting wedding ceremonies or funerals, provided these are one-time services for which they do not receive payment.
You should not be applying for a position, office, or appointment in the UK.
Since the Religious Visit Visa is a subcategory of the Standard Visitor route, Religious Visitors may also take part in other activities that are permitted under the Standard Visitor route.
If the above permitted activities do not fit your requirements as you wish to work in the UK, you should consider applying for am alternative type of visa that meets your needs.
There are specific visa types for religious workers accommodated under the “Temporary Workers” categories which fall under a points-based application applicable under Tier 2 of the immigration rules.
Follow this link to be taken to our Religious Worker Visa or a Minister of Religion Visa page.
As part of your application for a Religious Visit Visa, you will be required to satisfy the Home Office that you are genuinely seeking to enter the United Kingdom for a permitted purpose. In addition, you must assure the Home Office that you will leave the United Kingdom at the end of your visit and will not reside in the United Kingdom for prolonged periods through frequent or successive visits or make the UK your place of residence.
In assessing your application, the Home Office will consider the following factors:
Home Office officials may doubt your authenticity as a visitor if you do not have many close ties to your country of residence and have several close relatives living in the United Kingdom, if you have previously attempted to deceive the Home Office in an immigration application, and if there are discrepancies in your statement and your sponsor’s statement.
Often, we see that, as a result of applicants making applications themselves, UKVI have highlighted discrepancies and treated them as a deliberate attempt to deceive the Home Office. We regularly hear horror stories from clients who innocently made applications without legal guidance as they were intending to save the legal fees but have not understood the immigration rules properly and are now battling to prove that the information they gave was in good faith albeit contained administrative errors.
If you are unclear about whether your intentions meet the requirements or are concerned about the impact of how a previous application may affect your proposed visit, get help from our experts now to get clear, bespoke guidance.
There is no English proficiency requirement for applicants for Religious Visit Visa.
However, having a limited command of English can cause many problems whilst preparing and making an application and applying the correct rules and considerations.
Our team are bilingual and can provide you with advice and guidance in languages other than English upon request.
