Sponsorship Requirements – T2 Minister of Religion Visa
Applicants must secure a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from their sponsor to be eligible for a T2 Minister of Religion visa. The CoS must be issued no more than three months before the date of the visa application. To ensure the validity of the Certificate of Sponsorship, it must meet the following conditions:

• Clearly state the applicant’s name and confirm that they are being sponsored as a T2 Minister of Religion. It must provide details about the job role, salary, and any additional remuneration offered by the sponsor.
• Specify a start date for the role, which must be within three months of the application date.
• The CoS must not have been previously used in an application that was granted or refused (it can be used if the prior application was rejected as invalid, void, or withdrawn).
• The CoS must not be withdrawn by the sponsor or cancelled by the Home Office.
• Confirm that the applicant possesses the necessary qualifications and experience to perform the duties of a T2 Minister of Religion.
• If the sponsor is part of a religious order, it must confirm the applicant’s membership in that order.
• Verify that the applicant will carry out religious duties within the sponsor’s organisation or under its direction in the UK. This may include preaching, pastoral and non-pastoral activities.
• Ensure the applicant’s role does not primarily involve non-pastoral duties, such as teaching, media work, domestic services, or administrative tasks, unless it is a senior position within the sponsor’s organisation.
• Confirm that the applicant will receive pay and working conditions at least equal to those offered to settled workers in a comparable role and compliant with or exempt from the national minimum wage.

The sponsoring organisation must hold Home Office authorisation to sponsor roles under the T2 Minister of Religion route. Additionally, the sponsor must be listed as an A-rated sponsor on the Home Office’s register of licensed sponsors unless the applicant was previously granted permission as a T2 Minister of Religion and is applying to continue working for the same sponsor.

Genuineness Requirement for T2 Minister of Religion Visa

Applicants must fulfill the following conditions to meet the genuineness requirement:

• They must genuinely intend and be capable of undertaking the role for which they are being sponsored.
• They should not seek to engage in any employment other than the sponsored role, except as permitted under MOR 10.3 of Appendix T2 Minister of Religion.

Financial Requirement for T2 Minister of Religion Visa Extension

The financial requirement varies based on the applicant’s length of stay in the UK:

• If residing in the UK for 12 months or more: No need to provide evidence of funds, as the financial requirement is automatically met.
• If residing in the UK for less than 12 months: The applicant must either:
  • Show proof of funds amounting to £1,270, held for at least 28 consecutive days as specified in Appendix Finance, or
  • Obtain confirmation from their A-rated sponsor on the Certificate of Sponsorship that the sponsor will cover the applicant’s maintenance and accommodation costs, up to £1,270 for the first month of employment if necessary.

English Language Requirement

Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency at a minimum B2 level on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, unless exempted. They must provide evidence as outlined in Appendix English Language.

Period and Conditions of Grant – T2 Minister of Religion Visa (Extension)
When applying for an extension of the T2 Minister of Religion visa, the applicant’s leave will be granted for the shortest duration of the following:

• Up to 14 days after the end date of employment mentioned on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS),
• A maximum of 3 years, or
• The remaining duration to complete 6 years in total across any combination of T2 Minister of Religion, International Sportsperson, or Skilled Worker routes.

Conditions of Grant

The visa will be subject to the following conditions:

• No Access to Public Funds: The applicant will not be entitled to claim any public funds or benefits.
• Work Restrictions:

1. • The applicant may only work in the role specified by their sponsoring employer.
   • Supplementary Employment is allowed as long as the primary sponsored role continues.
   • Voluntary work is permitted.
   • The applicant can serve a contractual notice for a job they were lawfully engaged in at the time of the application.

• Study: Study is allowed but may require compliance with the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) as per Appendix ATAS.
• Police Registration: If applicable under Part 10 of the Immigration Rules, the applicant must register with the police.

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