INTERNATIONAL SPORTSPERSON
What is the International Sportsperson visa?
The International Sportsperson visa lets elite sportspeople and qualified coaches who are internationally established at the highest level come to, or stay in, the UK to work in a sponsored sporting role. The visa can be granted for 12 months or less, or for more than 12 months. Only the longer option can lead to settlement.
Your partner and your children (under 18) can apply to join or accompany you in the UK.
Who can apply
The route is for elite sportspeople and qualified coaches who are internationally established at the highest level and will make a significant contribution to their sport in the UK.
Applications are points based and every points requirement is mandatory.
Requirement | Points | 12 months or less | Over 12 months |
Sports Governing Body endorsement | 50 | Required | Required |
Certificate of Sponsorship | 10 | Required | Required |
Financial requirement | 10 | Required | Required |
English language at level A1 (speaking and listening) | 10 | Not required | Required |
Total needed | 70 | 80 |
Sponsorship
Like the Skilled Worker visa, you need a Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK employer that holds an International Sportsperson sponsor licence.
You also need a personal endorsement from the approved sports governing body for your sport. The endorsement must be in place before your sponsor assigns the Certificate of Sponsorship, and the certificate must confirm it.
Switching from another visa
You can switch into this route from inside the UK, unless you were last granted permission:
• as a Visitor (except where you were doing permitted activities as a sportsperson)
• as a Short term student
• as a Parent of a Child Student
• as a Seasonal Worker
• as a Domestic Worker in a Private Household
• outside the Immigration Rules
If you are switching from the Student route, you must have completed your course, or completed at least 24 months of a PhD.
What you can and can't do
You can:
• work for your sponsor in the job on your Certificate of Sponsorship
• do supplementary work of up to 20 hours a week, outside your sponsored hours, in a job on the Immigration Salary List or in the same profession and level
• do unpaid voluntary work
• play for your national team while it is in the UK, play in BUCS competitions, and do temporary guest commentary as a sports broadcaster
• move on loan to another club, if your governing body's rules allow it and you return to your sponsor afterwards
• study, subject to the ATAS condition
You can't:
• access public funds
• change employer without a new application and a new Certificate of Sponsorship
Your permission may be cancelled if you are absent from work without pay, or on reduced pay, for more than 4 weeks in a calendar year. Exceptions include statutory family leave, sick leave, legal industrial action and approved humanitarian or environmental crisis work.
What you need to qualify for settlement (ILR)
You can apply for settlement after 5 years if you meet these requirements.
• Previous grant over 12 months: at some point in the 5 years, you must have been granted International Sportsperson permission for more than 12 months.
• Sponsor: your most recent sponsor must still be licensed, still need you for the foreseeable future, and confirm you are paid at least £35,800 a year in basic pay. Bonuses, employer pension contributions, travel and subsistence don't count, and only the first 48 hours a week are counted.
• 5 year qualifying period: spent in the UK with permission on any combination of International Sportsperson, T2 or Tier 2 Sportsperson, T5 Creative and Sporting, Skilled Worker or Tier 2 (General), T2 Minister of Religion, Representative of an Overseas Business, Innovator Founder or Innovator, Global Talent, or Tier 1 (Entrepreneur, Exceptional Talent, General or Investor).
• Continuous residence: you must meet Appendix Continuous Residence, which limits absences to 180 days in any 12 month period.
• English language: at least level B1 in speaking and listening.
• Life in the UK test: passed.
• Suitability: you must not fall for refusal under Part Suitability, be in breach of immigration laws or be on immigration bail.
Approved sports governing bodies
Sport | Governing body |
American Football (England, Scotland, Wales) | British American Football Association |
Archery | Archery GB |
Athletics | UK Athletics |
Badminton (England) | Badminton England |
Badminton (Scotland) | Badminton Scotland |
Baseball / Softball | BaseballSoftballUK |
Basketball (England, Scotland, Wales) | Basketball England |
Basketball (Northern Ireland) | Basketball Ireland |
Boxing | British Boxing Board of Control |
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu | UK Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association |
Canoeing (England, Wales, Northern Ireland) | British Canoeing (Paddle UK) |
Canoeing (Scotland) | Scottish Canoe Association (Paddle Scotland) |
Chinese Martial Arts | British Council for Chinese Martial Arts |
Cricket (England, Wales) | England and Wales Cricket Board |
Cricket (Scotland) | Cricket Scotland |
Cricket (Northern Ireland) | Cricket Ireland |
Curling | Royal Caledonian Curling Club |
Cycling | British Cycling |
Darts | The Darts Regulation Authority |
Equestrianism | British Horse Society |
Fencing | British Fencing |
Field Hockey (England) | England Hockey |
Field Hockey (Scotland) | Scottish Hockey Union |
Field Hockey (Wales) | Welsh Hockey Union |
Field Hockey (Northern Ireland) | Hockey Ireland |
Football (England) | The Football Association |
Football (Scotland) | Scottish Football Association |
Football (Wales) | The Football Association of Wales |
Football (Northern Ireland) | Irish Football Association |
Gymnastics | British Gymnastics |
Handball | British Handball |
Horseracing | British Horseracing Authority |
Ice Hockey | Ice Hockey (UK) |
Ice Skating | British Ice Skating |
Judo | British Judo Association |
Kabaddi | England Kabaddi Federation (UK) Registered |
Kendo | British Kendo Association |
Lacrosse | English Lacrosse |
Motorcycling, except speedway (England, Scotland, Wales) | Auto Cycle Union |
Motorsports | Motorsport UK |
Netball (England) | England Netball |
Netball (Wales) | Wales Netball |
Netball (Scotland) | Netball Scotland |
Netball (Northern Ireland) | Netball Northern Ireland |
Polo | Hurlingham Polo Association |
Rowing | British Rowing |
Rugby League | Rugby Football League |
Rugby Union (England) | Rugby Football Union |
Rugby Union (Scotland) | Scottish Rugby Union |
Rugby Union (Wales) | Welsh Rugby Union |
Rugby Union (Northern Ireland) | IRFU (Ulster Branch) |
Sailing, windsurfing, powerboating | Royal Yachting Association |
Shooting | British Shooting |
Snooker | World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association |
Speedway | British Speedway Promoters Association |
Squash and racketball (England) | England Squash |
Squash and racketball (Scotland) | Scottish Squash |
Swimming, water polo, diving, synchronised swimming (England, Scotland, Wales) | British Swimming |
Swimming, water polo, diving, synchronised swimming (Northern Ireland) | Swim Ulster |
Table Tennis | Table Tennis England |
Taekwondo | GB Taekwondo |
Tennis (lawn) | Lawn Tennis Association |
Tennis (real tennis and rackets) | Tennis & Rackets Association |
Triathlon | British Triathlon |
Volleyball (England) | Volleyball England |
Volleyball (Scotland) | Scottish Volleyball |
Volleyball (Northern Ireland) | Northern Ireland Volleyball |
Wheelchair Basketball | British Wheelchair Basketball |
Wheelchair Rugby (England, Scotland, Wales) | Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby |
Wrestling | British Wrestling Association |
Yoga | The British Wheel of Yoga |
All other sports | Home Office |
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