WEB 3038 UK Visa Routes for Religious Workers (Bitesize)

Level: Intermediate

Description:

The aim of the course is to provide attendees with an understanding of the rules and different routes religious workers can use to come into the UK and to explore the information contained in the Policy Guidance that practitioners should be aware of. Practical guidance on preparing applications under these routes will also be provided, including tips on meeting the documentary requirements, which is often an issue for religious workers applying for leave in the UK.

The focus of this course will be on providing an overview of the legal framework and different immigration routes that religious workers can use to enter and remain in the UK.

Brexit had a significant impact on religious organisations who relied on the principle of free movement of people to bring over many of their workers such as Nuns, Priests, Pastors and volunteers. With EU nationals arriving from 1 January 2021 now requiring sponsorship, we have seen a rise in applications under the T2 Minister of Religion and T5 Religious Worker routes contained in the Immigration Rules. To complicate matters, the Immigration Rules under these routes have also been amended.

Applications under the Religious Worker routes can be complex as a result of many applicants not possessing the required documentation and the Home Office placing an emphasis on economic work in the UK, which religious workers, such as Sisters of a Religious Order, do not always meet. Many religious workers receive no income and do not have their own bank accounts or any correspondence addressed to them, by virtue of devoting their lives to their community. Added challenges include documenting the work that the individual will be doing in the UK and ensuring the religious organisation, who do not always understand the workings of the SMS, meet their sponsorship duties. The Resident Labour Market Test has also been introduced for Religious Workers which is also causing issues for some religious organisations.

This webinar will provide practical advice on overcoming these limitations and run through common scenarios that have come up in practice, as well as provide an overview of the different routes available depending on the work that the individual is coming into the UK to do.

Audience: Advisors, solicitors and barristers intending to advise or represent religious workers on their immigration matters in the UK and prepare applications on their behalf.

Tutor: Julie Mokatdir, Head of Immigration at Stone King and ILPA Trustee

ILPA trustee and Head of Immigration at Stone King LLP, Julie has established a specialised expertise in charitable immigration work, specifically Tier 2 (Ministers of Religion) and Tier 5 (Religious Workers).

Julie acts for a huge range of clients in the charity sector including, Religious Orders, Congregations, Diocese, Religious Charitable Organisations and Churches. She regularly advises on the different routes available to religious workers and completes the entire application process on the workers behalf, to ensure that religious organisations can benefit from the movement of individuals internationally. Julie is very familiar with the common challenges that applicants under these routes can face and has an 100% success rate on all applications made to date, despite these hurdles. Julie has spoken at conferences aimed at religious organisations, is a regular speaker for COREW (Conference of Religious England and Wales) and contributes to publications such as the Church Times highlighting the immigration challenges that such organisations face.