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What is a ‘minister of religion’?
A minister of religion is a religious worker whose main function is to lead a congregation in prayer, perform the rites and rituals of a faith and preach the essentials of a creed. Minister of religion refers to any faith.
Which ministers of religion can apply to work as such in the United Kingdom?
To qualify for Entry Clearance as a minister of religion the applicant must satisfy the following conditions:
- He/she has been working for at least one year as a minister of religion or has been ordained as a minister of religion following at least one year's full time or two year's part-time training for the ministry;
- He/she intends to work full time as a minister of religion;
- He/she can maintain and accommodate his/her dependants without recourse to public funds.
Entry Clearance must be obtained from a British mission abroad before travelling to the U.K. for admission as a minister of religion. Ministers of religion do not require a work permit.
Change of employer
Ministers of religion cannot change their employment without permission from the Immigration and Nationality Department of the Home Office.
Obtaining indefinite leave to remain
Ministers of religion may be granted indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom if the following conditions are satisfied:
- The minister of religion has spent a continuous period of 4 years as a minister of religion in the U.K.;
- He/she is still required for the specific employment as a minister of religion;
- He/she can maintain and accommodate his/her dependants and himself/herself without recourse to public funds.
An application for indefinite leave to remain in these circumstances should be made using Form SET(O).
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