Links for Information about Visas to UK
The website of the UK
Border Agency has a vast amount of information that is quite easy to
access.
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/travellingtotheuk/ 
The main categories of
visa that are relevant for Latin Link are:
·
Visitor www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visitingtheuk/
·
Student www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/
·
Minister of Religion or Missionary
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier2/ministersofreligion/
·
Temporary Religious worker www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier5/religiousworkers/
The law changed
significantly in Nov. 2008 to a points system, 5 Tiers and certificates of
sponsorship granted by visa sponsors. Latin Link is a registered sponsor
for Tier 2 General, Tier 2 Ministers of Religion and Tier 5 Temporary
Religious Workers.
Information about Visitors Visa
Information about Visa as a Minister of
Religion or Missionary
Information about Student Visa
Visitors’ visa
Since 2008 there is a division
of categories of visitors; see www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visitingtheuk/
·
general visitors)
·
child visitors)
- business visitors) which
includes academics, translators and ‘Religious workers undertaking some preaching or pastoral work
during a business visit (e.g. to attend a conference), provided their
base is abroad and they are not taking up an office, post or
appointment’.
See www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visitingtheuk/businessandspecialvisitors/businessvisitors/
- special visitors) which
includes children, private medical treatment, marriage, sportspeople
and entertainers.
The maximum stay on a visitor’s
visa is 6 months. Normally the passport is stamped that no work is allowed.
Student visa | Visitors visa
Visa as a Minister of Religion or
Missionary (Tier2)
The law changed in Nov.
2008
See
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier2/ministersofreligion/
To enter as a Minister of Religion or Missionary the
person must receive a certificate of sponsorship from
a religious organisation that is registered as a Visa Sponsor for Tier 2 Minister of Religion.
As well as the certificate of sponsorship the
candidate must have
·
Proof of a level of English equivalent to B2 of the Council of Europe's Common European
Framework of Reference. This is equivalent to IELTS 5.5 or Cambridge First
Certificate; see www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/pbs/approvedenglishtestst2.pdf
·
Proof of finances – proof that they will
receive an adequate income and also that they have savings equivalent to £800
that has been in the account during 3 months before the date of application
for the visa. They must have funds for the first month.
Latin Link is registered as a visa sponsor for Tier 2 Minister
of Religion. The
full register can be consulted on the UK Border Agency website.
To receive a certificate of sponsorship from Latin Link a candidate
must be accepted as a member of Latin Link through the standard application
process.
After 5 years of residence in the UK with a visa as a Minister of
Religion or Missionary , the person can apply for indefinite leave to remain.
Student visa | Visitors visa | Visa
as a Minister of Religion
Student Visa (Tier 4)
The Law changes 31st
March 2009
Requirements after 31st March 2009
The student needs to total 40 points = 30 for
registration and 10 for proof of finances
The student must be accepted to study a course at a
school in the Tier
4 Register of Sponsors of the Department
for Innovation, Universities and Skills.
They now need to have all the costs of the course and
for their living costs for all the time of the course (if the course is
less than 9 months) or for the first year (if the course is more than 9
months). See Money
needed
·
Another
useful site for information for students is UKCISA at www.ukcosa.org.uk
Student visa | Visitors visa | Visa
as a Minister of Religion
Updated March 2009
|
