Work Permit applications
This category allows you to come to the UK to perform recognized religious duties, for example preaching to a community and performing pastoral roles. This will not include coming to the UK temporarily in a non-pastoral role to perform religious rites or other duties. hese categiries are covered under Tier 5 Temporary Workers.
Eligibility
You are required to score 70 points in order to be successful with your application. The points are scored under three different sets of criteria, Sponsorship, Maintenance, and the English Language skills, as follows:
Sponsorship
You must be sponsored by an organization who is licensed to do so by the UK government. This will earn you 50 points towards your Tier 2 Ministers of Religion visa. You can only be issued a certificate of sponsorship if you:
• are qualified to do the job;
• intend to base yourself in the UK
• comply with the conditions to stay in the UK and leave the UK once your leave expires
Maintenance
You must earn 10 points for Maintenance, which states that you have enough funds to support yourself and any dependants during your stay in the UK. You must have £800 in a bank account at the time of your application and an additional £600 for each dependant that you intend to bring with you.
English Language Skills Requirement
10 points are awarded for English language skills. To stay in the UK as a Minister of Religion, you must speak English to the Council of Europen Level B2.
Extending your stay in the UK as a Tier 2 Ministers of Religion
To extend your stay in the United Kingdom under a Tier 2 Ministers of Religion visa, you must pass the points test again under the requirements in place at the time of your application for extension. However, you will automatically score the required points for English language skills.
After a continous period of residency in the UK for five years, you will be eligible to apply for settlement as a permanent resident (also known as indefinite leave to remain).
What we can do for you As British lawyers, we will do our best and even go that extra mile for you. We can help you with the necessary paperwork that will be needed to ensure that your application meets the Immigration requirements.
Please expect us to do the following for you, when you instruct us to represent you or a member of your family:
Full and professional assessment of your case
Advice on whether you should consider a different immigration programme or category
Strong and weak points of your application
Advice on correct list of documents
Advice on evidence required
Instructing your sponsor, relative, employer or college (if required)
Final check of your documents before submission to the Home Office/British Diplomatic Post
Creating a professionally looking paginated immigration bundle
Drafting representations and cover letters to the Home Office/British Diplomatic Post
Working with interpreters (if required)
Submission your application to the Home Office/British Diplomatic Post
Correspondence with the Home Office/British Diplomatic Post
Keeping you updated by post, E-mail or phone on the progress of your application
If something goes wrong : requesting a review or reconsideration
Any further in-country/out-of-country immigration assistance
The above list is not exhaustive as we treat every client's case individually. Please do not hesitate to contact us for a professional immigration advice.
