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 31^st 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