Minister of Religion visa (T2): Nigerian citizen in Nigeria → United Kingdom
Nigerian citizens offered a job within a UK faith community apply online for a Minister of Religion visa (T2) with a certificate of sponsorship, give biometrics at a visa application centre, and usually get a decision within 3 weeks.
Lets you come to the UK to work in a faith community if you've been offered a job (for example as a minister of religion, missionary, or member of a religious order) and have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed sponsor.
- Validity
- You can come to the UK with a Minister of Religion visa (T2) for a maximum of up to 3 years and 1 month, or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.
- Entries
- Multiple entry for the duration of your visa.
- Max stay per visit
- Up to 3 years and 1 month, or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.
When to start
Start 30 days–2 months before your travel date.
Getting an appointment in Nigeria
- Lagos (Victoria Island & Ikeja) handles the highest volume — slots get tight in peak periods.
- Abuja (Churchgate Plaza) applicants often find slots more readily than Lagos.
You must have a certificate of sponsorship for your job, which your licensed employer issues. You can only use the reference number once and must use it within 3 months of getting it.
You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to support yourself, and you will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row.
You must apply online for a Minister of Religion visa (T2). It costs £819 to apply from outside the UK, plus the healthcare surcharge.
You'll need to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre.
You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK.
What you'll need
- Certificate of sponsorship reference number — Your certificate of sponsorship reference number (your employer will give you this). ✓ verified
- Valid passport — A valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality. ✓ verified
- Proof of knowledge of English — Proof of your knowledge of English. ✓ verified
- Proof of personal savings — Evidence that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK, for example bank statements (unless your certificate of sponsorship shows your employer can support you). ✓ verified· your certificate of sponsorship does not show your employer can support you
- Tuberculosis (TB) test results — Your tuberculosis test results if you're from a listed country. ✓ verified· you're from a listed country
Where you'll apply
Apply online on gov.uk, then have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK visa application centre in Nigeria.
Fees
| Minister of Religion visa (T2), apply from outside the UK | GBP 819 |
Gotchas to watch
- You can only use your certificate of sponsorship reference number once, and you must use it within 3 months of getting it.
- You must be 18 or over when you apply.