There is some exclusion from applying for on a Tier 2 (Minister of Religion). If you are applying to study for a qualification and are a member of a religious order, you would have to apply under the Tier 4 (General) category.

Further to this, if you want to work full-time as a teacher in a school run by a church or missionary organisation, this does not count as missionary work, and you must apply under the Tier 2 General route. Those who want to come to the United Kingdom as a religious worker for a shorter time, you should apply under the religious worker category of Tier 5.