Ministers of religion
Ministers of religion offered a role by an established religious body in Ireland
What you get
- An eligibility check of you and the sponsoring body
- Completion and submission of your online application (D visa or preclearance)
- Your application letter and guidance on the sponsorship letter
About this service
Minister of Religion Visa / Preclearance
The Minister of Religion scheme lets ordained or professed ministers come to Ireland to serve a religious body that is already established here. Visa-required nationals apply for a long stay visa, and others apply for preclearance. The sponsoring religious body must fully support the minister, so its documents are central to the application. We prepare both sides. Religious bodies often bring ministers to Ireland to serve growing congregations, and the scheme's conditions are detailed. We prepare the minister's application and the sponsor's documents together, so they match.
€615
Fixed fee
5
Areas we cover
6
Documents to prepare
5
Simple steps
Who it's for
Who this is for
Whether you're moving, hiring, staying or starting over, this is the place to begin.
Religious bodies
Churches, temples, mosques and other religious bodies sponsoring a minister
At a glance
Eligibility
01
Ordination and training
You're an ordained or professed member of the religious body, with at least 2 years of structured training
02
Experience
You have at least 1 year of verifiable experience as a minister after ordination
03
Sponsor
The sponsor is a religious body established in Ireland, with an active congregation, full-time ministers and dedicated premises
04
Full support
The sponsor fully supports you, and any family, from funds within Ireland
05
Conditions
You won't do other paid work or rely on State benefits
Our promise
What's included
Minister of Religion Visa / Preclearance
€615
Before you start
Documents you'll need
Tick each item as you gather it. Bring whichever apply to you.
Your preparation checklist
0 of 6 ready
Tap items as you go
You're fully prepared. Let's get you booked in.
5-step journey
How it works
- 1Step 1
We confirm you and the sponsor qualify.
- 2Step 2
We complete your online application as "Visa – Minister of Religion" or "Preclearance – Minister of Religion".
- 3Step 3
You and the sponsor gather the documents, and we check them.
- 4Step 4
You send the documents and fee within 30 days.
- Step 5
We support you until a decision, and you register on arrival.
Good to know
Our fee
€615 VAT included. Government fees are separate.
Government fees
Preclearance €60, or a visa at €60 single or €100 multiple entry. Extensions and changes of sponsor cost €50. Appeals are free.
Processing time
In October 2026 the Dublin Visa Office was deciding Minister of Religion applications received in mid-June 2026, roughly 4 months.
Permission length
Permission is usually granted for 1 year at first, up to 3 years in total.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
The Minister of Religion scheme allows ordained or professed ministers to come to Ireland to serve a religious body that's already established here, such as a church, mosque, temple or gurdwara. Ministers who need a visa for Ireland apply for a long stay visa, while others apply for preclearance instead. Both the minister and the sponsor must qualify. The minister needs at least 2 years of structured training and at least 1 year of verifiable experience as a minister after ordination. The sponsor must be a religious body established in Ireland, with an active congregation, full-time ministers and dedicated premises, and it must fully support the minister, and any family, from funds held in Ireland. Ministers can't take other paid work or rely on State benefits. Permission is usually granted for 1 year at first, up to 3 years in total, and the minister's spouse or civil partner and unmarried children under 18 can come too. The government fee is €60 for preclearance, or €60 or €100 for a visa, and extensions and changes of sponsor cost €50.
Your spouse or civil partner and unmarried children under 18 can join you. Other relatives can't. See our Spouse, Partner or Child of a Minister of Religion service.
No. You can't do other paid work, and the sponsor must support you fully.
No. The sponsor must be an established religious body, not an individual.
You must leave Ireland, and the sponsor must cooperate with the State to make sure you do.
Extensions are possible within the overall limit, and cost €50. We'll track the dates for you.
Ready when you are
Get started with Minister of Religion Visa / Preclearance
€615
€615
Minister of Religion Visa / Preclearance