International Sportsperson Visa

What is the International Sportsperson Visa

The International Sportsperson Visa replaces the Sportsperson (T2) visa and the sporting part of the Temporary Worker - Creative and Sporting visa (T5). This route is designed for elite athletes and coaches recognised for their high-level contributions to their sports. A sportsperson is considered qualified or elite if they are internationally established at a high level in their sport. The player or coach must demonstrate that they will significantly contribute to their team or a UK-based sporting body.

The International Sportsperson Visa can last up to three years, potentially extending if you continue to meet the sporting and eligibility requirements. Depending on your circumstances, sportspeople who spend limited time in the UK may prefer to apply for shorter-term visas, such as the Permitted Paid Engagement Visa.

This visa route offers a long-term option for those who may be part of UK-based sports teams. Suppose an elite sportsperson or qualified coach plans to move to the UK to train, coach, or officiate. In that case, it is highly advisable to ensure that your application for the Sportsperson Visa is strong enough to be accepted on the first attempt. This will help you avoid the lengthy and costly Administrative Review process.

Visa Routes

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

As an International Sportsperson Visa holder, you can initially stay in the UK for up to three years, with the option to extend for another three years if you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.

For elite sportspeople, this visa route offers a pathway toward 5-year Indefinite Leave to Remain, provided you maintain continuous residence in the UK and meet other eligibility criteria. ILR status grants you the right to live and work in the UK without restrictions.

British Citizenship

Once you have obtained ILR, you can apply for British citizenship. You may apply immediately if you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen. Otherwise, you must wait 12 months before applying for British citizenship.

Dependents

Your partner and children can apply to join or stay with you in the UK as your dependents, provided they meet specific criteria, and you can prove your relationship when applying.

Eligible Dependants:

• Spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner.
• Children under 18, including those born in the UK during your stay.
• Children over 18 if they are currently in the UK as your dependents.

If you don't live together, you must provide evidence of your ongoing relationship, such as regular communication or financial support. If you do live together, you need to prove one of the following:

• You are married or in a civil partnership recognised in the UK.
• You have lived together for at least 2 years.
• You have been in a relationship for at least 2 years but live separately due to circumstances (e.g. work, study, or cultural reasons)

Children over 16: Children over 16 must live with you (unless in full-time education), be unmarried and childless, and be financially dependent on you. You'll need to provide evidence of their residence, such as a bank statement or a letter from their school.

Financial Requirements: You, your partner, or children must have a specific amount of money for support:

• £285 for a partner
• £315 for one child
• £200 for each additional child

Visa Duration: Dependent visas will usually expire simultaneously with yours. If the parents have different visa expiry dates, the child’s visa will end earlier.

Rights and Restrictions: Your dependents can work (except as sportspersons or coaches), study, travel, and apply for permanent residency after 5 years. However, they cannot apply for benefits or state funds. If their application is successful, the Home Office will provide a full list of rights and restrictions.

Eligibility Criteria & Requirements

Sponsoring Organization

Teams or organisations looking to bring over sportspeople as employees must obtain a Sponsor Licence before you can apply. Your sport’s governing body must be recognised and approved by the Home Office.

International Sportsperson

The International Sportsperson visa aims to attract genuinely elite individuals who can enhance the quality of sports in the UK. To qualify for the International Sportsperson Visa, applicants must be recognised as elite athletes or qualified coaches at the international level. This recognition typically involves significant contributions to their sport, such as representing their country or achieving other notable accomplishments.

A critical component of the eligibility criteria is an endorsement from the relevant sport’s governing body. This endorsement must confirm the applicant’s elite status, detail their sports role, and validate their sponsorship. This ensures that the applicant's presence in the UK will contribute to the sport's development at a high level.

International Sportsperson visa applicants must also meet additional requirements for a successful application. The requirements include:

• Endorsement from your sport’s governing body: This confirms your contribution to the sport's development at the highest level.
• A valid Certificate of Sponsorship: The international sportsperson must have received a valid certificate from their sponsoring club.
• Evidence of financial support: You must show you have the funds to support yourself in the UK.
• Travel history for the last 5 years.
• An eligible qualification if you’re switching from a Student Visa.
• Tuberculosis test results (if applicable, based on your country of residence).

Financial Requirements

To meet the financial requirements, you must demonstrate that you can support yourself in the UK. This involves showing that you have held at least £1,270 in funds for 28 days, as specified in the financial requirement guidelines.

Alternatively, your A-rated sponsor, who provided your Certificate of Sponsorship, can confirm that they will cover your maintenance and accommodation costs.

You are exempt from this financial requirement if you have lived in the UK for 12 months or more.

English Language Requirements

To qualify for the International Sportsperson Visa, applicants must prove their proficiency in the English language, especially if they will be staying for more than 12 months. Passing an authorised language test and achieving at least CEFR level A1 in speaking and listening can meet this requirement.

Applicants holding academic qualifications taught in English, recognised equivalent to a UK degree by Ecctis, may also meet the English language criteria. This provision ensures that the applicants can effectively communicate and integrate into the UK’s internationally established environment, promoting personal and professional success.

Required Documentation

Depending on your circumstances and the country you are applying from, there may be additional documentation you need to provide. In all cases, when you apply, you’ll need to submit:

• A valid passport.
• A Certificate of Sponsorship provided by your employer includes a unique reference number.
• A letter of endorsement from your sport’s governing body
• Proof of your English proficiency is required if you are applying to stay for more than 12 months unless you qualify for an exemption.
• You must provide evidence, such as bank statements, that you have sufficient personal savings to support yourself in the UK. Your sponsor can fulfil this requirement by confirming that they will cover your financial support.
• Expired passports or travel documents if you need them to show your travel history.
• Your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a listed country

For documents not originally in English or Welsh, provide certified translations. Additional documentation may be required depending on individual circumstances.

Visa Fees Costs

The International Sportsperson Visa costs depend on how long you plan to stay in the UK.

• For stays up to 12 months: The fee is £298 per person.
• For stays longer than 12 months:
  • Applying from outside the UK: The fee is £719 per person.
  • Applying inside the UK to extend or switch: The fee is £827 per person.

Immigration Healthcare Surcharge

Applicants must pay a healthcare surcharge, currently £1,035 per year.

Processing Times

Visa decisions are typically made within 3 weeks if applying outside the UK. For those applying from within the UK, processing time can take up to 8 weeks.

How to Apply for an International Sportsperson Visa

You can apply for the visa up to 3 months before your start date in the UK, shown on your Certificate of Sponsorship.

1. Confirm Sponsorship: Ensure the organisation has a valid sponsor licence.
2. Obtain Endorsement and Sponsorship: Secure your sport's governing body's official endorsement and a Certificate of Sponsorship.
3. Prepare Documentation: Gather all necessary documents, including your passport, endorsement letter, financial evidence, and other required materials.
4. Submit Your Application: Apply online through the government’s official website. Complete and submit the application form.
5. Pay the Application Fee: Pay the required visa application fee based on your length of stay.
6. Provide Biometrics: You can submit your biometric information in person at a local visa application centre or via the UK Immigration ID Check app.
7. Wait for a Decision: After submitting your application, wait for the Home Office to decide on your visa.

Restrictions

If your visa is granted, it will typically be for an initial period of 3 years. While on this visa, you are not allowed to:

• Access public funds.
• Start or run a business.
• Apply for a second job until you have started working for your sponsor.

Extending Your International Sportsperson Visa

If you continue to meet the eligibility requirements after your initial 3-year period in the UK, you can apply to extend your International Sportsperson Visa for another 3 years. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Apply Before Your Visa Expires:
   • Submitting your extension application before your visa expires is essential to avoid any issues with overstaying.
2. Renew Your Endorsement:
   • Ensure your endorsement from your sport’s Governing Body has been renewed. This is essential for your extension application.
3. Submit Your Application Online:
   • You can submit your application online. If you’re applying from within the UK, it typically takes about 8 weeks to receive a decision.
4. Pay the Extension Application Fee:
   • The fee for extending your visa is £827.

Alternative Visa Routes for Sportspersons

For sportspeople seeking shorter access to the UK for a single competition or event, alternative visa routes and Visit visas offer shorter periods of stay.

Sports Visitor or (Standard) Visa

If you are coming to join a national team or association, you will typically need to be sponsored by an employer. If you are going to be in the UK only for a single event, then a Visitor Visa might be appropriate. This visa will allow you to visit the UK for up to 6 months and take part in specific sporting activities or training.

This route is also available for sporting officials, such as referees, who may be seeking to access the UK to officiate sporting events.

Permitted Paid Engagement Visa

If you only seek temporary access to the UK for a single event, the most applicable visa option would be the Permitted Paid Engagement Visa.

It is similar to the Sports Visitor (Standard) Visa, although you will only have a month of stay. Athletes, coaches, and officials of sports governing bodies can apply for this visa if they intend to spend a short period in the UK for qualifying sporting activities or competitions.

Temporary Work – Creative Worker Visa

For Dancers who require a period of stay between a year and two years but do not intend to stay longer than this or pursue Indefinite Leave to Remain, you may benefit from the Temporary Worker–Creative Visa.

You can apply for a stay for up to 12 months, with the possibility of a further 12-month extension. The duration may differ if you change sponsors. To successfully apply for this visa, you will need a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed Sponsor, make a unique contribution to the UK labour market, be paid a minimum salary, and have the finances to support yourself.

QC Immigration Supporting International Sportsperson Visa

The International Sportsperson Visa is the main route for elite athletes sponsored by their clubs and governing bodies. It requires applicants to contribute to their sport at the highest level, which can lead to permanent residence and British citizenship.

UK immigration rules are complex and frequently change. QC Immigration has helped thousands of clients navigate these requirements and submit applications that comply with Home Office guidelines. By leveraging our extensive experience, we can save you time, energy, and money by preparing and submitting your application on your behalf.

At QC Immigration, we specialise in immigration and have a proven track record of assisting individuals with straightforward and complex International Sportsperson Visa cases. Whether you need guidance on how a club can apply for a sponsor licence, sponsor an international sportsperson, or submit a visa application for yourself, we are here to help.

Our experienced team will provide expert visa advice and support to elite sportspeople. They will help you prepare a strong and convincing visa application demonstrating your eligibility and contributions. This will maximise your chances of approval on the first attempt, allowing you to compete or train in the UK without disrupting your schedule.