Who Can Qualify for the International Sportsperson Visa?

The route is intended for individuals operating at the highest levels of professional sport.

An applicant must be an elite sportsperson or qualified sports coach.

They must also be internationally established and the relevant governing body must confirm that their employment will make a significant contribution to the development of the sport at the highest level in the UK.

This is therefore not a general work visa for anyone working in sport.

The endorsement criteria differ from sport to sport and can be highly specific.

The Five-Part International Sportsperson Test

Sports Governing Body Endorsement

The governing body endorsement is one of the most important parts of the route.

Before a club or other sponsor assigns a Certificate of Sponsorship, it must ensure that the proposed International Sportsperson has a current endorsement letter from the relevant governing body.

The endorsement confirms that the applicant meets the sport-specific criteria agreed between the governing body and the Home Office.

It must confirm that the sportsperson or coach is internationally established at the highest level and will make a significant contribution to the development of the sport at the highest level in the UK.

Which Sports Governing Body Applies?

The Immigration Rules contain an approved list of sports governing bodies permitted to issue endorsements for International Sportsperson applications.

The relevant body depends on the sport and, in some cases, the territory within the United Kingdom.

Football, rugby, cricket, athletics, boxing and many other organised sports each operate within their own endorsement framework.

Where a sport is not specifically listed in Appendix Sports Governing Bodies, the Rules currently identify the Home Office as the relevant body for unlisted sports.

Endorsement Criteria Differ by Sport

There is no single universal test that can be applied to every athlete or coach.

Each approved sports governing body can operate its own endorsement requirements within the Home Office-approved framework.

Depending on the sport, criteria may take account of matters such as international appearances, rankings, league level, transfer arrangements, competition history, coaching qualifications, career record or other evidence of elite status.

The governing body criteria should therefore be checked at an early stage, particularly where a transfer, signing or competition deadline is involved.

The Sponsoring Club or Organisation

The applicant’s sponsor is normally the UK employer.

This may be a professional club, team or other sporting organisation authorised to sponsor International Sportspersons.

The employer must itself be endorsed by the relevant sports governing body and must hold a valid sponsor licence for the International Sportsperson route.

Where a club does not already hold the appropriate licence, sponsorship planning may need to begin before a player or coach can make their immigration application.

See our Sponsor Licence Applications service.

Certificate of Sponsorship

The UK sponsor must assign the sportsperson or coach a valid Certificate of Sponsorship.

The CoS is an electronic record containing information about the applicant and the proposed UK employment.

It must include details such as the sponsored role, salary and employment period.

The Certificate of Sponsorship must normally have been issued no more than three months before the immigration application.

See our Certificates of Sponsorship service.

Who Pays the Certificate of Sponsorship Fee?

The sponsor must pay the relevant Certificate of Sponsorship fee.

Current Home Office sponsor guidance prohibits International Sportsperson sponsors from passing the CoS fee or associated sponsor application costs to the sponsored worker in circumstances covered by the sponsorship rules.

Failure to comply with sponsor cost rules can place the sponsor licence at risk.

Applying for Up to 12 Months

The International Sportsperson route distinguishes between applications for periods of up to 12 months and applications for longer periods.

Where permission is sought for no more than 12 months, a successful applicant will normally receive permission for the shorter of the employment period plus up to 14 days or 12 months.

The English language requirement that applies to longer International Sportsperson applications does not generally apply in the same way where permission sought is no more than 12 months.

Applying for More Than 12 Months

Where the applicant seeks permission for more than 12 months, a successful grant can normally be for the shorter of the period of employment plus up to 14 days or three years.

An applicant seeking permission exceeding 12 months must normally meet the applicable English language requirement.

The longer route can also be important where settlement is a future objective because a person seeking settlement as an International Sportsperson must have had at least one grant of International Sportsperson permission exceeding 12 months during the qualifying period.

English Language Requirement

An International Sportsperson seeking permission for more than 12 months must normally demonstrate English speaking and listening ability at level A1, unless an exemption applies.

The way this requirement is met depends on the applicant’s circumstances and the provisions of Appendix English Language.

Financial Requirement

Applicants may need to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to support themselves when arriving in the UK.

The current requirement is generally at least £1,270.

Where the applicant must rely on personal funds, the money must normally have been held for the required 28-day period in accordance with Appendix Finance.

The applicant may not need to provide personal financial evidence where they have already lived in the UK with permission for at least 12 months.

An A-rated sponsor can also certify maintenance on the Certificate of Sponsorship where the applicable requirements are met.

Minimum Wage & Working Hours

The International Sportsperson route does not operate through the same occupation-based salary thresholds used by Skilled Worker.

However, the sponsoring employer must ensure that the employment complies with applicable UK minimum wage and working time requirements.

The proposed salary and terms recorded on the Certificate of Sponsorship should correspond with the underlying sporting contract.

Sporting Contracts & Immigration

The immigration application should not be considered in isolation from the underlying sporting contract.

The contract may affect the sponsored role, salary, duration, work location and transfer arrangements recorded for immigration purposes.

Where contractual and immigration issues overlap, our Business Immigration practice works alongside our Sports Law practice.

See our Sports Contract Lawyers service.

Player Transfers & International Moves

International transfers can involve both sporting regulation and immigration requirements.

A club may agree the transfer commercially, but the player may still require the appropriate governing body endorsement, sponsorship and immigration permission before taking up employment in the UK.

Timing can be particularly important around transfer windows, registrations and competition deadlines.

See our Player Transfer Lawyers service.

Professional Footballers

Professional football is one of the most prominent uses of the International Sportsperson route, but the route is not limited to football.

Football endorsement requirements are governed through the applicable football governing body framework and can depend on the circumstances and record of the individual player or coach.

The endorsement analysis should normally be carried out before contractual and immigration timetables become critical.

Coaches

The route is available not only to elite athletes but also to qualified sports coaches who meet the governing body requirements.

The relevant governing body must be satisfied that the coach is internationally established and capable of making the required contribution to the development of the sport at its highest level in the UK.

Qualifications, professional history and coaching record may therefore be important depending on the sport.

Applicants Aged 16 or 17

The International Sportsperson route is open to applicants aged 16 or over.

An applicant under 18 must also meet the parental consent requirements applying under the Immigration Rules.

Young professional athletes can therefore require additional consideration of both immigration documentation and their sporting arrangements.

Can You Switch to International Sportsperson in the UK?

Some individuals can switch into the International Sportsperson route from within the UK.

However, the Immigration Rules prevent switching from certain categories.

These include, subject to the applicable exceptions, individuals in the UK as Visitors, Short-term Students, Parents of Child Students, Seasonal Workers, Domestic Workers in a Private Household, those on immigration bail and certain persons granted permission outside the Immigration Rules.

A Visitor who has been undertaking permitted activities as a sportsperson may fall within a specific exception, but the relevant requirements should be checked before relying on it.

Extending an International Sportsperson Visa

An International Sportsperson can apply to extend their permission where they continue to qualify.

The governing body endorsement must normally be renewed and a new Certificate of Sponsorship is required.

Extensions can be granted for up to three years at a time where the requirements are satisfied.

Changing Clubs or Employers

Changes in sporting employment can have immigration consequences.

A move from one club or sporting employer to another may require new sponsorship arrangements and a fresh immigration application before the individual can begin the new sponsored employment.

The governing body endorsement and Certificate of Sponsorship requirements should therefore be considered as part of any proposed transfer or change of club.

Loans Between Clubs

Professional sport can involve temporary loans between clubs, particularly in football.

Home Office sponsor guidance contains specific provisions for sports players moving on loan.

Where a player moves between clubs, the sponsorship position should be checked against both the immigration rules and the governing body’s regulatory framework.

Can an International Sportsperson Take a Second Job?

Supplementary employment is permitted in specified circumstances.

Current GOV.UK guidance permits a second job for up to 20 hours per week where it is either in the same profession as the applicant’s main sponsored role or in a profession on the Skilled Worker Immigration Salary List.

Other second employment can require a further immigration application and sponsorship.

An applicant cannot generally begin a second sponsored role until the relevant requirements have been met.

Other Permitted Sporting Activities

The current Immigration Rules expressly permit certain additional activities.

An International Sportsperson can play for their national team while the national team is in the UK.

They can also participate in British Universities and Colleges Sport competitions where applicable and undertake temporary engagements as a sports broadcaster providing guest expert commentary on a particular sporting event.

Voluntary work and study are also permitted subject to the relevant conditions.

Can an International Sportsperson Run a Business?

The public GOV.UK guidance states that an International Sportsperson cannot start or run a business under this route.

Where an athlete or coach has commercial, investment, image rights or business interests in the UK, the immigration implications should therefore be considered separately from the sporting arrangements.

Our Sports Law practice can also advise on related commercial arrangements, including Image Rights & Intellectual Property and Sponsorship & Endorsement Agreements.

Partners & Children

Eligible partners and dependent children can apply to accompany or join an International Sportsperson in the UK.

Dependent partners can generally work, except as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.

Dependants can also study and, subject to the applicable requirements, may qualify for settlement after the relevant qualifying period.

International Sportsperson Settlement

The five-year qualifying period can include time spent on certain other eligible immigration routes rather than International Sportsperson permission alone.

These routes currently include Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, T2 Minister of Religion, International Sportsperson, Representative of an Overseas Business, specified Tier 1 routes and Scale-up.

The applicant must nevertheless have held International Sportsperson permission exceeding 12 months at some point during the qualifying period.

Settlement Salary Requirement

Current Immigration Rules require the applicant’s most recent sponsor to remain approved to sponsor International Sportspersons and to confirm that the applicant is still required for the foreseeable future.

The applicant must currently be paid, and continue to be paid, at least £35,800 per year for settlement purposes.

Specific rules apply to the way that salary is calculated, including which allowances can be counted and the treatment of working hours exceeding 48 hours per week.

The applicable threshold should always be checked again when settlement is approaching because Immigration Rules can change.

Settlement Requirements

International Sportsperson Visa Fees

Current GOV.UK fees depend on the length of permission sought.

For a stay of up to 12 months, the current application fee is £340 per person.

For permission exceeding 12 months, the current application fee is £819 for an application made outside the UK and £943 for an in-country extension or switching application.

The Immigration Health Surcharge will also normally apply and is currently generally £1,035 per year.

Government fees can change and should be checked immediately before an application is submitted.

Processing Times

Current GOV.UK service standards indicate that an application made from outside the UK is usually decided within three weeks once the application, identity and documents have been completed.

An application made from inside the UK is normally decided within eight weeks.

Faster services may be available depending on the application and location.

Common International Sportsperson Problems

How We Assist

1. Governing Body Endorsement Assessment

We review the applicable sport-specific endorsement requirements and the evidence relevant to the proposed athlete or coach.

2. Club & Sponsor Licence Position

We advise clubs and sporting organisations on the sponsor licence requirements relevant to International Sportsperson sponsorship.

3. Certificate of Sponsorship

We advise on the CoS, sponsored role, salary, dates and consistency with the governing body endorsement and sporting contract.

4. International Sportsperson Visa Application

We advise athletes and coaches on the immigration application and supporting documents.

5. Transfers, Extensions & Changes of Club

We advise on the immigration consequences of transfers, loan arrangements, extensions and changes in sporting employment.

6. Settlement & Long-Term Immigration Strategy

We advise on qualifying residence, salary, English language and other requirements where settlement in the UK is a future objective.

Sports Law & Immigration

International sporting careers frequently involve more than immigration law alone.

LawLex also advises athletes, clubs and sports organisations on sports contracts, transfers, disputes, regulatory matters, sponsorship, image rights and cross-border sporting arrangements.

See our Sports Law practice and our dedicated Sports Immigration & International Sportspersons service.

Who qualifies for the International Sportsperson visa?

The route is intended for elite sportspersons and qualified sports coaches who are internationally established and whose employment will make a significant contribution to the development of their sport at its highest level in the UK.

Do I need a sports governing body endorsement?

Yes. The applicant must normally obtain an endorsement from the relevant sports governing body before the sponsor can assign a valid Certificate of Sponsorship.

Does the club need a sponsor licence?

Yes. The UK employer must hold a valid sponsor licence authorising it to sponsor workers under the International Sportsperson route.

Is English required?

An applicant seeking permission for more than 12 months must normally demonstrate speaking and listening ability at level A1 unless an exemption applies.

How long can an International Sportsperson stay in the UK?

Permission can be granted for up to 12 months under the shorter form of the route or for up to three years where permission exceeding 12 months is sought, subject to the employment period stated on the CoS.

Can the visa be extended?

Yes. Extensions can be made where the applicant remains eligible, the governing body endorsement is renewed and a new Certificate of Sponsorship is assigned.

Can an International Sportsperson change clubs?

Potentially, but the immigration and sponsorship consequences must be addressed. A new sponsor, endorsement and immigration application may be required before the individual begins the new role.

Can an International Sportsperson do other work?

Specified supplementary employment is permitted. Current GOV.UK guidance allows certain second employment for up to 20 hours per week, as well as voluntary work and specified sporting and broadcasting activities.

Can the International Sportsperson route lead to settlement?

Yes. An applicant can potentially qualify for settlement after a five-year qualifying period if the continuous residence, sponsorship, salary, English language and other applicable requirements are satisfied.

Can my partner and children come with me?

Eligible partners and dependent children can apply to accompany or join an International Sportsperson, subject to the dependant requirements.

Official International Sportsperson Guidance

The legal requirements are contained in Immigration Rules Appendix International Sportsperson.

The approved endorsement organisations are listed in Appendix Sports Governing Bodies.

Applicants can review the GOV.UK International Sportsperson visa guidance.

Clubs and sports organisations can review the Home Office International Sportsperson sponsor guidance.