Entry Clearances: Religious Persons
Home Department
Written answers and statements, 5 November 2009
Christopher Huhne (Eastleigh, Liberal Democrat)
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what vetting procedures his Department applies in respect of imams from abroad who are seeking employment in the UK.
Alan Johnson (Home Secretary; Kingston upon Hull West & Hessle, Labour)
Imams, like all Ministers of religion from other faiths, from outside the EEA who wish to preach in the UK must apply under our new Points-Based System. They can only do so if they have a job offer from an organisation that has been licensed by the UK Border Agency to act as a sponsor.
The Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) category requires migrants to have a high standard of English language skills. This ensures that they are able to speak to and for the religious communities that they will represent, and in particular that they are able to communicate effectively with the younger generation. The level of English required is equivalent to level B2 on the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference.
In addition, imams, as with all migrants applying for leave to enter or remain in the UK, are subject to checks against their immigration history, criminal records, and any other factors that may mean their exclusion from the UK would be conducive to the public good.