VISA FOR VISITING THE UK

UK visa

If you need a visa the sort of visa you apply for will depend upon whether you intend to stay longer in the UK than your stay in St Beuno's.
The short visa to the UK which lasts 6 months will suffice for any St Beuno's course.
If you are on the Ignatian Spirituality Programme from September to December and wish to go on the Pilgrimage then you will need a multiple entry visa to the UK and a Schengen visa for Spain and Italy (see below).

Most applicants will need a visitors visa. These come in various types:

The simplest visa is the one for tourists or visiting friends. It may help for this one if you have people you know in the UK or a religious community who could invite you. A retreat can be seen as a 'spa holiday' from the secular point of view of the UK Border Agency who issue visas. You are coming to enjoy the lovely Welsh countryside and have a good rest in St. Beuno's which is a religious-run hotel.
A tourist visa is undoubtely best if you are just coming to the UK for a retreat. If you come on a tourist/visitors visa please don't say anything on your application that implies you would do any work or study while you are in the UK.

If you are coming on one of our 3-month or 10 week programmes then you might consider a business visa. If you are a member of a religious congregation or a priest then you might try a 'business visa: religious worker'. These are issued to people to attend conferences etc. You would probably have to show that you are in the 'religious' business to come on a St Beuno's Spirituality Programme; lay people might find this difficult unless they are employed by a church. For those on a longer training/sabbatical programme this would most accurately reflect why you are coming to St Beuno's.

Beware!
Do not apply for any academic or student visa based on your stay at St Beuno's as we are not a recognised educational institution. Any request for a student visa which says you are coming to study at St Beuno's will certainly be rejected.
Do not apply for any visa which requires a 'points-based' application as St. Beuno's is not an officially recognised sponsoring body for the purposes of issuing visas.

Upon acceptance on a programme or retreat St. Beuno's are prepared to write a letter inviting you to the UK.
We cannot act as your financial sponsors. (If you arrange pre-payment of your fees we can say all your accommodation costs while in the UK have been paid for the duration of the programme/retreat.)
We can provide a printed programme of the course you are applying for. (From our annual programme)

Do I need a Visa?
How much does it cost?
Can I have a visa Application Form? and other questions see the UK Border Agency Website

If you hope to work for the Church or anyone else in the UK, then you will need a special visa. For religious sisters, brothers and priests there is a special 'Minister of Religion' temporary work permit which will allow you do to a little pastoral work. Any work for the Church will require "Safeguarding" clearance which should be organised before you leave home.

Information subject to change -Valid 2011


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		VISA FOR VISITING THE UK

		UK visa If you need a visa the sort of visa you apply for will depend upon whether you intend to stay longer in the UK than your stay in St Beuno's. The short visa to the UK which lasts 6 months will suffice for any St Beuno's course. If you are on the Ignatian Spirituality Programme from September to December and wish to go on the Pilgrimage then you will need a multiple entry visa to the UK and a Schengen visa for Spain and Italy (see below). Most applicants will need a visitors visa. These come in various types: The simplest visa is the one for tourists or visiting friends. It may help for this one if you have people you know in the UK or a religious community who could invite you. A retreat can be seen as a 'spa holiday' from the secular point of view of the UK Border Agency who issue visas. You are coming to enjoy the lovely Welsh countryside and have a good rest in St. Beuno's which is a religious-run hotel. A tourist visa is undoubtely best if you are just coming to the UK for a retreat. If you come on a tourist/visitors visa please don't say anything on your application that implies you would do any work or study while you are in the UK. If you are coming on one of our 3-month or 10 week programmes then you might consider a business visa. If you are a member of a religious congregation or a priest then you might try a 'business visa: religious worker'. These are issued to people to attend conferences etc. You would probably have to show that you are in the 'religious' business to come on a St Beuno's Spirituality Programme; lay people might find this difficult unless they are employed by a church. For those on a longer training/sabbatical programme this would most accurately reflect why you are coming to St Beuno's. Beware! Do not apply for any academic or student visa based on your stay at St Beuno's as we are not a recognised educational institution. Any request for a student visa which says you are coming to study at St Beuno's will certainly be rejected. Do not apply for any visa which requires a 'points-based' application as St. Beuno's is not an officially recognised sponsoring body for the purposes of issuing visas. Upon acceptance on a programme or retreat St. Beuno's are prepared to write a letter inviting you to the UK. We cannot act as your financial sponsors. (If you arrange pre-payment of your fees we can say all your accommodation costs while in the UK have been paid for the duration of the programme/retreat.) We can provide a printed programme of the course you are applying for. (From our annual programme) Do I need a Visa? How much does it cost? Can I have a visa Application Form? and other questions see the UK Border Agency Website If you hope to work for the Church or anyone else in the UK, then you will need a special visa. For religious sisters, brothers and priests there is a special 'Minister of Religion' temporary work permit which will allow you do to a little pastoral work. Any work for the Church will require "Safeguarding" clearance which should be organised before you leave home. Information subject to change -Valid 2011
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