International Sportsperson Visa

The International Sportsperson Visa is a unique visa that allows coaches and skilled sportspeople to come to the UK. Find out more in our guide.

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A quick look

How long can I stay in the UK?

You can stay from 12 months up to 3 years. Also, you can extend the visa if you are still eligible.

Do I need to be sponsored?

Yes, the organisation you intend to work for needs to be an approved sponsor, and issue you with a Certificate of Sponsorship.

What am I allowed to do with an International Sportsperson Visa?

You are allowed to:

Work for your sponsor
Take a second job
Do unpaid voluntary work
Play for your national team in the UK
Work as a sports broadcaster
Study if it does not impact your job
Travel overseas and come back to the UK
Bring your dependants if they are eligible

What am I not allowed to do with an International Sportsperson Visa?

You are not allowed to:

Access public funds, such as Child Benefits; this is known as ‘no recourse to public funds‘
Start or run a business
Apply for a second job before you have started working for your employer

International Sportsperson Visa

Whilst not the most popular visa that people apply for, it is definitely a unique one. It allows some of the best in their respective sports, as well as experienced coaches, to come to the UK and show their sporting skill and knowledge at the highest levels possible.

It is primarily for those who play their sport at an elite level. No one at any other level of their sport can apply for it.

Requirements

You must be endorsed by the governing body of your sport. This endorsement must state that you are an elite sportsperson, that you are established internationally in your sport, and that you will be developing your skills at the highest level in the UK.

The organisation sponsoring you to work in the UK must be an approved sponsor and must have issued you with a valid Certificate of Sponsorship. The certificate will have a number on it, which you will have to enter into a field in your International Sportsperson Visa application.

Also, you must meet the English language requirements if you plan on staying in the UK for more than a year. You can do this by passing an English language test at an approved centre, or by providing proof that you completed a degree that was taught in English at bachelor’s level or above, or at an equivalent level.

As part of the application process, you will also need to prove that you have the funds to support yourself when you initially arrive in the UK. This is currently £1,270. This does not apply if your employer will be covering your costs, or if you have already been in the UK on a valid visa for 12 months.

To apply for the International Sportsperson Visa, you will have to apply through the UK Government’s website.

How to be endorsed by a governing body

To prove that you have been endorsed by a UK governing body in your respective sport to get your International Sportsperson Visa, you will need to have been provided with a letter known as a Governing Body Endorsement. It needs to show two things:

First, you will need to prove that you are established at the highest level of your sport on a global level.
Second, the governing body will need to show that they believe you will add to the development of the sport at the highest levels.

Once you have been endorsed, you can go forward with your application.

How long does the International Sportsperson Visa last and how much does it cost?

The International Sportsperson Visa lasts up to three years, but it can be extended if you still meet the requirements for eligibility. You have the option of staying for up to 12 months as well.

After you have been in the UK for five years on this visa, you may be able to permanently settle in the UK through Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Fees

To get the visa, you must pay an application fee. The fee varies based on if you are coming to the UK for 12 months or for longer, and where you are applying from. You will also need to pay a fee for any dependants coming with you.

The fees are:

£298 per person for less than 12 months
£719 per person for over 12 months if applying from outside of the UK
£827 per person for over 12 months if applying from within the UK

Financial proof

Finally, you will need to prove that you can support yourself financially upon your arrival in the UK. This also applies to any dependants that come with you.

Proof of funds are as follows:

£1,270 for your own proof of funds
£285 for your partner
£315 for one child
£200 for every additional child

Do I need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)?

Yes. In addition to the International Sportsperson Visa application fees, you will have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge fee. This is usually £1,035 a year.

The IHS is a requirement of your visa application, and allows you to access NHS services.

Bringing your partner and children

If they are eligible, you can bring your partner and children with you to the UK.

You can be either married, in a civil partnership, or just in a relationship with your partner, but you must provide proof of your relationship. You must have been living together in a relationship for at least two years.

However, if your culture does not allow you to live together, or you are working and studying apart from each other, then you do not need to have lived together.

A child counts as a dependant if they are under 18, and you will need to provide proof of relationship. For example, a full birth certificate.

Switching to the International Sportsperson Visa

If you are already in the UK on another visa, then you can switch to the International Sportsperson Visa if you meet the requirements.

You must apply for this visa before your current one expires. If you do not apply for a new visa before your current one has expired, then you will have to leave the country, otherwise, you will be classed as an overstayer.

Other information

You can apply for an International Sportsperson Visa to 3 months before the start date of your job listed on your Certificate of Sponsorship
An application takes 3 weeks to reach a decision if you apply from outside the UK
Approvals take 8 weeks if you are outside the UK
You cannot overstay your visa, as this is a criminal offence and there are serious consequences
Any documents not in English or Welsh must be translated by a sworn translator

The information contained on this page is sourced from UK Visas and Immigration and is subject to change. While Woodcock Law Limited makes every effort to keep this information current, prices and information cannot be guaranteed and should always be checked on www.gov.uk.

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