International Sportsperson visa

The International Sportsperson visa is designed for elite athletes and qualified coaches who are internationally recognized in their sport and wish to work in the UK. This visa allows successful applicants to be sponsored by a UK-based sporting organization and offers a route to settlement for sportspersons who stay for longer periods. It also allows them to bring dependents (partner and children) with them.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the International Sportsperson visa, you must meet several criteria:

1. Age Requirement: You must be aged 16 or over.

2. Offer of Employment: You must have a job offer from a UK-based sponsor holding an International Sportsperson sponsor license. The job must be in the sporting sector, and your sponsor will need to provide you with a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

3. Endorsement from a Sports Governing Body: Your application must be supported by an endorsement from a relevant UK sports governing body. This endorsement confirms:

   • You are internationally established at the highest level of your sport.
   • You will contribute to the development of your sport at the highest level in the UK.

4. Intention to Undertake the Role: You must demonstrate that you genuinely intend and are able to undertake the role for which you are being sponsored and that you do not intend to undertake any other employment.

5. English Language Requirement:

   • If applying for a visa exceeding 12 months, you must meet an English language requirement at level A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for speaking and listening.
   • If applying for 12 months or less, you do not need to meet the English language requirement.

6. Financial Requirement: You must demonstrate that you have sufficient personal savings to support yourself in the UK unless your employer agrees to cover your living costs (as confirmed on your Certificate of Sponsorship). Generally, you need at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before applying.

7. Tuberculosis (TB) Test: If you are from a country where a TB test is required, you must provide a valid TB certificate.

Endorsement by a UK Sports Governing Body

Before applying for the visa, you must secure an endorsement from a relevant UK sports governing body. This body will confirm that you are at the highest level in your sport internationally and that your presence in the UK will significantly benefit the sport's development.

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Your sponsor (such as a UK sports club, sporting body, or event organizer) must issue you a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the role you are undertaking. This will detail:

• The job and salary offered.
• The fact that you are qualified to perform the role.
• Your endorsement by the appropriate UK sports governing body.

You must apply for the visa within three months of the job's start date, as indicated on the Certificate of Sponsorship.

Visa Duration

The duration of your International Sportsperson visa depends on the length of your employment:

• For 12 months or less: The visa is granted for the duration of the employment plus 14 days, or up to 12 months, whichever is shorter.
• For more than 12 months: The visa can be granted for the employment period plus 14 days or up to 3 years, whichever is shorter.

Conditions of Stay

If your visa is granted, you will be allowed to:

• Work in the role for which you are sponsored.
• Engage in supplementary employment (subject to conditions).
• Study, as long as it does not interfere with your primary job.
• Play for your national team in the UK, participate in British University and College Sport (BUCS) competitions, and provide expert commentary as a sports broadcaster.
• Engage in voluntary work.
• Bring dependents (partner and children) to the UK, who can also live, work, and study.

However, you cannot:

• Access public funds (benefits).
• Start or run a business.
• Work in any role outside of what has been specified in the Certificate of Sponsorship.

Path to Settlement

After five years of continuous residence in the UK on this visa, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), provided you meet the following criteria:

• You have not been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period during the 5-year qualifying period.
• Your sponsor must confirm that they still need you to work for them for the foreseeable future and that you are being paid at least £35,800 per year.
• You must meet the English language requirement (level B1 in speaking and listening) and pass the Life in the UK test.

Dependents

Your dependent partner (aged 18 or over) and children (under 18) can accompany you to the UK. To meet the financial requirement for dependents:

• You will need to demonstrate £285 for a partner, £315 for one child, and £200 for each additional child.
• The funds must have been held for at least 28 consecutive days before your application.

Dependents can also apply for settlement after completing five years in the UK, subject to the same conditions as the primary visa holder.

Switching to the International Sportsperson Visa

If you are already in the UK under a different immigration status (except Visitor, Short-term Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic Worker in a Private Household, etc.), you may be eligible to switch to the International Sportsperson route. However, switching is not possible if you were last granted permission under certain other visa categories.

Processing Times

• Most International Sportsperson visa applications are processed within 3 weeks.
• Extension applications are typically processed within 8 weeks.
• You may be able to pay for priority processing for a faster decision.

Visa Refusals

If your application is refused, you may be able to apply for an Administrative Review or submit a new application, depending on the reasons for refusal.