Minister of Religion visa (T2): Nigerian citizen in United States → United Kingdom
Nigerian citizens living in the United States need a UK Minister of Religion visa (T2) — apply online on gov.uk and give biometrics at a UK visa application centre in the United States.
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 United States
- 38 centre locations nationwide plus premium centres (VFS directory, captured 2026-06-11). Ten are full-service Mon–Fri: New York, Washington DC, Chicago, LA, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, Boston, Miami, Seattle; the rest (Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Portland, Philadelphia and more) run limited schedules.
- With this density, comparing two or three cities usually finds a near-term slot.
- No recent public wait-time reports found for the US — the band below is general guidance.
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
Because you live in the USA, you apply at a UK Visa Application Centre in the US — not in your home country. There are UK visa application centres in 30+ US cities (including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington DC, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia and Seattle). Use the official VFS US centre directory (linked below) to find and book the one nearest you.
- UK Visa Application Centres — United States — serves 30+ locations across the US — find and book your nearest
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.