UK Sportsperson Visa

There are many benefits to the UK sports visa.  As per immigration law, the visa permits the holder to work in the UK doing the role outlined on the COS. In addition to this, the holder may do the following:

• Work a second job
• Work as a sports broadcaster for a television news station
• Volunteer
• Study (as long it doesn’t interfere with the job)
• Travel abroad freely
• Bring their dependents with them to the UK

In regards to the second job, this is possible on this visa only if you’re working up to 20 hours a week in either the same profession as your main job or as a profession on the Skilled Worker shortage occupation list. If you want to do something else, you’d need to apply for a new visa.

Immigration rules state that this visa does not permit holders to access public funds and benefits. Furthermore, sportsperson visa holders are unable to start or run a business or apply for a second job until work has begun with the sponsoring employee/ national team.

Applications for the Tier 2 Sportsperson Visa are done online on the UK government website.  It’s a straightforward application that permits applicants to start, save and finish at a later date if necessary.

As part of the application, the applicant must be able to prove their identity. Applicants will need to either have their photo and biometrics taken at a visa application centre or use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ application where they can easily scan their identity documents into the app. The process with which the applicant must prove their identity will be determined when they begin their application.

Professional athletes may apply for their visa up to 3 months before the day they are due to begin work in the UK as per the COS.

Once the application has been completed, including proving their identity and documents, applicants will usually get a decision on their visa within 3 weeks if the application was made outside the UK. If the application was made inside the UK, a decision will be made within 8 weeks.

The visa permits up to 3 years in the UK, with the possibility of extension.  After 5 years, it is possible to settle permanently in the UK.

There are a number of documents required for the international sportsperson visa. They may vary depending on your circumstances. Every document must be given in English, so if they are not, they must be translated prior to submission.

The documents are:

• Certificate of a Sponsorship reference number
• Proof of English level from an approved English language test (this is not applicable if you are from a majority English speaking country)
• Bank statements that show you possess sufficient savings
• A valid passport or other valid documents to prove your identity
• Expired passports or travel documents to show the past 5 years of travel history
• Tuberculosis test result (if applicable)
• A letter of endorsement from your specific sports governing body

The fee depends on how long you wish to stay in the UK. For up to 12 months, the fee is £259 per person and for longer than 12 months, the fee depends on whether you’re:

• Applying outside the UK, which costs £625 per person
• Applying inside the UK to extend or switch which costs £719 per person

If you’re from an eligible country the application fee will be automatically reduced by £55 if your application is submitted on or before 25 February 2022 and you’re from  Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden or Turkey.

Applicants are responsible to pay the immigration health surcharge, which is about £624 per year.

Per immigration rules, the international sportsperson route permits entry clearance to the sportsperson or qualified coaches to bring their dependents with them.

Your partner and children can apply to join you or to stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible. If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours.

To be deemed a dependent, they must be any of the following:

• Your legally recognized  husband, wife, civil partner, or unmarried partner
• A child that is under 18 years old. This includes kids born in the UK during your stay
• A child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependant

It will be important to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply to meet the eligibility requirements. To be granted permission, you will need to prove you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK and that you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply.

For children 16 years or older,  circumstances play an important role. For example, they must live with you unless they are attending boarding school, college, or a university. They can not be married, not have any children, and must be financially dependent on you.

If your child lives with you, you’ll need to provide evidence including a bank statement, credit card bills, driving licence, NHS registration document, and an official letter from their university or college.

Your dependent family members must hold a certain amount of money available to support themselves. This is  £285 for your partner, £315 for one child, and £200 for each additional child.

Applications for dependents are done online, and they must also prove their identity via visiting a visa application centre near them or visa the ‘UK immigration ID check the app to scan their document such as their passport.

The governing body should make a decision on their visa within 3 weeks.

Should you have a child while in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen. You may do an online application for the child’s visa listing them as a dependant. This is necessary if you want to travel in and out of the UK with your child. You’ll need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.