Religious Worker sponsor licence routes

What these routes cover

The Religious Worker routes enable religious organisations to sponsor workers from overseas to perform religious duties in the UK. There are two main routes: Minister of Religion and Religious Worker.

Both routes are designed for registered charities or religious organisations that need to bring in religious workers to serve their communities.

Minister of Religion

For religious workers in leadership roles who will perform religious duties, including leading congregations.

• Lead religious services and worship
• Provide pastoral care to the community
• Can lead to settlement after 5 years
• Organisation must be a registered charity or religious body

Religious Worker

For religious workers who do not lead a congregation but perform other religious duties within the faith community.

• Non-pastoral religious roles, such as missionaries and religious orders
• Perform duties within the faith community
• Can lead to settlement after 5 years
• Organisation must be a registered charity or religious body

Organisation requirements

• Must be a registered charity or religious organisation
• Evidence of congregation size and places of worship
• Details of organisational structure
• Proof of religious activities and community
• Compliance systems and HR processes
• Designated key personnel, including an Authorising Officer

Additional documentation required

• Charity registration certificate or religious organisation documentation
• Evidence of congregation size and membership
• Details of places of worship and religious facilities
• Organisational structure and governance documents
• Job description detailing religious duties
• Proof that the worker is qualified for the religious role

Eligible religious roles

Common roles that qualify under the Religious Worker routes: