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Tier 2 (Minister of religion)

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Maintenance

This page explains what proof of maintenance you must send to support your application to the minister of religion category (Tier 2 Ministers of religion) of the points-based system to work in the UK.

Full details of these requirements are in the immigration rules at paragraph 245ZB - 245ZH of part 6a, which you can find on the right side of this page. You must read the policy guidance before you apply under this category. You can download the guidance and application form from the Applying section.

If your A-rated sponsor is certifying that it will maintain and accommodate you if necessary for your first month of employment, this must be confirmed on your certificate of sponsorship.

Otherwise, and if you are not scoring points automatically for maintenance, you must provide documents showing that you have had at least £900, excluding any overdraft facilities, in your account at all times over the 90-day period before you apply to us.

The documents must be original, on the official letter-headed paper or stationery of the organisation and have the official stamp of that organisation. They must have been issued by an authorised official of that organisation.

Evidence must be in the form of cash funds, excluding any overdraft facilities. Other accounts or financial instruments (such as shares, bonds and pension funds), regardless of notice, are not acceptable.

If you wish to rely on a joint account as evidence of available funds, you must be named on the account along with one or more other named individuals.

Personal bank or building society statements covering the 90 days before you apply

The personal bank or building society statements should clearly show:

  • your name;
  • the account number;
  • the date of the statement;
  • the financial institution's name and logo;
  • transactions covering the 90-day period;
  • that there are enough funds present in the account.

The most recent statement must be dated within 31 days.

If you want to send electronic bank statements from an online account, these must contain all of the details listed above. They must bear the official stamp of the bank on every page, or you must also provide a supporting letter from your bank, on company headed paper, confirming the authenticity of the statements sent.

The balance must show that you have had at least £900, excluding any overdraft facilities, in your account at all times over the 90-day period, and we will not accept a document that shows the funds on 1 day only.

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Building society pass-book covering the previous 90 days before you apply

The building society pass-book should clearly show:

  • your name;
  • the account number;
  • the financial institution's name and logo;
  • transactions covering the 90-day period;
  • that there has been enough money (£900) present in the account for the past 90 days.

The balance must show that you have had at least £900, excluding any overdraft facilities, in your account at all times over the 90-day period, and we will not accept a document that shows the funds on 1 day only.

Letter from bank confirming funds and that they have been in your account for at least 90 days.

The letter from a bank or building society should state:

  • your name;
  • the account number;
  • the date of the letter;
  • the financial institution's name and logo;
  • the funds held in your account; and
  • that enough funds (£900) have been in the bank for at least 90 days.

The balance must show that you have had at least £900, excluding any overdraft facilities, in your account at all times over the 90-day period, and we will not accept a document that shows the funds on 1 day only.

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Letter from financial institution regulated by either the Financial Services Authority or the home regulator confirming funds

The letter from the financial institution regulated by the Financial Services Authority or the home regulator should state:

  • your name;
  • the account number;
  • the date of the letter;
  • the financial institution's name and logo;
  • the funds held in your account; and
  • that the funds (£900) have been in the bank for at least 90 days.

The balance must show that you have had at least £900, excluding any overdraft facilities, in your account at all times over the 90-day period, and we will not accept a document that shows the funds on 1 day only.

The home regulator is the official regulatory body for the country in which the institution operates and the funds are located.

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How we assess maintenance evidence for online bank accounts

Accounts held with internet-based banks

For the purpose of the points-based system, an online bank account is one that operates over the internet only and sends your bank statements to you electronically (for example, through the internet or by email).

If you wish to use electronic bank statements from an online bank account as evidence, these statements must always be accompanied by a supporting letter from the bank, on its company headed paper, confirming the authenticity of the statements.

Accounts held with other banks

If you have a bank account that does not operate exclusively online but you receive your bank statements electronically, and you wish to use these statements as evidence of funds for maintenance, you should provide:

  • electronic bank statements printed at the bank on its official stationary; or
  • electronic statements printed by you and bearing the bank's official stamp on every page; or
  • a supporting letter from the bank, on the bank's company headed paper, confirming the authenticity of the statements.

All evidence must meet the requirements listed in the Tier 2 policy guidance.  Mini-statements from cash points are not acceptable as evidence.

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See also

Do it online

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