Can I Apply for A UK International Sportsperson Visa?

The International Sportsperson Visa lets internationally established sportspeople and qualified coaches work for a UK club or organisation. This guide covers governing body endorsement, sponsorship, eligibility, costs and how to apply, based on GOV.UK guidance and the Immigration Rules.

Overview of The UK International Sportsperson Visa

The International Sportsperson visa is for elite sportspeople and qualified coaches who are internationally established at the highest level of their sport and whose employment in the UK will make a significant contribution to the development of that sport at the highest level. It replaced the former Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa and the sporting part of the former Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting) visa. The rules are set out in Appendix International Sportsperson of the Immigration Rules.

The route has no separate "categories". You choose the length of stay you apply for: 12 months or less, or more than 12 months (up to 3 years at a time). The longer option has an English language requirement and can lead to settlement.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, you must:

1. be aged 16 or over on the date of application;
2. have an endorsement from the appropriate sports governing body listed in Appendix Sports Governing Bodies, confirming that you are elite, internationally established and will make a significant contribution to your sport at the highest level in the UK;
3. have a valid certificate of sponsorship from a licensed, A-rated UK sponsor (usually your club or employer), which includes the governing body's endorsement number;
4. have at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 days in a row, with day 28 falling within 31 days of your application, unless your sponsor certifies your maintenance or you have been in the UK with permission for 12 months or more;
5. if you are applying for more than 12 months, show English language ability in speaking and listening at CEFR level A1 or above (for example through an approved Secure English Language Test, a qualifying degree, or nationality of a majority English-speaking country);
6. provide a TB test certificate if you are applying from a country where this is required and staying more than 6 months.

Your job must also pay at least the National Minimum Wage and comply with UK working time rules.

Governing Body Endorsement

Endorsement is the main requirement of the route. Each sport has a designated governing body (for example, the Football Association for football, or the England and Wales Cricket Board for cricket), and each governing body publishes its own endorsement criteria. They usually look at international appearances, rankings, level of competition and the standard of the club or league you are joining. Check the current list in Appendix Sports Governing Bodies and the relevant governing body's published criteria before you apply, and allow time for the governing body to process the endorsement request.

Sponsorship

Your sponsor is your employer. It must hold a sponsor licence for the International Sportsperson route and be A-rated (unless you are continuing to work for the same sponsor). The sponsor assigns your certificate of sponsorship through the Sponsor Management System. You must apply within 3 months of the certificate being assigned, and you can apply up to 3 months before the start date on it.

Sponsors have ongoing duties, including keeping records and reporting certain changes (for example, if a sponsored worker stops working for them) through the Sponsor Management System, usually within 10 working days. Sponsor licences no longer need to be renewed; they remain valid as long as the sponsor continues to meet the requirements.

How Long You Can Stay and Settlement

You can extend your visa if you still meet the requirements. After 5 years' continuous residence you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain, provided you have held at least one International Sportsperson grant of more than 12 months and your sponsor confirms your continued employment on the required terms.

What You Can and Cannot Do

With this visa you can:

• work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship;
• play for your national team while in the UK and work as a temporary sports broadcaster;
• do certain supplementary work and voluntary work, once you have started your sponsored job;
• study, as long as it does not interfere with your job (some courses need an ATAS certificate);
• travel in and out of the UK;
• bring your partner and children if they are eligible.

You cannot claim public funds.

Bringing Your Family

Your partner and children can apply as your dependants. Unless your sponsor certifies maintenance or you have been in the UK for 12 months or more, you must show additional funds of £285 for a partner, £315 for the first child and £200 for each additional child.

Costs and Processing Times

Once you have applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you will usually get a decision within 3 weeks if you are outside the UK, or 8 weeks if you are inside the UK.

How to Apply

1. Secure a job offer from a licensed sponsor and obtain your governing body endorsement.
2. Get your certificate of sponsorship reference number from your sponsor.
3. Apply online on GOV.UK and pay the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.
4. Prove your identity, either with the UK Immigration: ID Check app or at a visa application centre, depending on your nationality and passport.
5. Upload your supporting documents.
6. If approved, you will receive an eVisa, which you access through your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. Biometric residence permits are no longer issued.

Required Documents

You will usually need:

• your certificate of sponsorship reference number;
• a valid passport or other travel document;
• bank statements showing £1,270 held for 28 days, unless your sponsor certifies maintenance;
• evidence of English language ability, if applying for more than 12 months;
• your TB test certificate, if required;
• evidence of your relationship to any dependants;
• certified translations of any documents not in English or Welsh.

Check the current requirements on GOV.UK before you apply, as fees and rules change often.