Does the Religious Worker visa lead to settlement (indefinite leave to remain)?

Time spent on the Religious Worker visa does not build towards permanent residence in the UK. It is intended for temporary, non-pastoral religious work or for members of a religious order, not for people seeking to settle.

If your goal is eventual settlement, the Minister of Religion visa is the route that can lead to indefinite leave to remain after a qualifying period. Choosing the correct category from the start matters, because the temporary route will not help you progress towards permanent status.