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International Sportsperson Visa

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government.

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Can I apply for the UK Skilled Worker visa?

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Overview

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government. This UK work visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. This category is for all foreign nationals who have been offered a skilled job to fill a gap in the workforce which cannot be filled by an already settled worker in the UK. There are a number of complex scenarios which should be discussed and explored in detail before you can apply.

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government. This UK work visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. This category is for all foreign nationals who have been offered a skilled job to fill a gap in the workforce which cannot be filled by an already settled worker in the UK. There are a number of complex scenarios which should be discussed and explored in detail before you can apply.

International Sportspersons visa

This category is for highly skilled sportspersons who must be recognised by a governing body as an elite sports person or a sports coach. The applicant must demonstrate that their employment in the UK will encourage the sport to become more elite and prominent in the UK.

To apply for ILR you must have spent continuous period of 5 years in the UK and must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. You must also meet the English language requirement, pass the Life in the UK test and meet the salary threshold requirement of at least £35,800.

Indefinite leave to remain

The skilled worker visa lasts for up to five years. If you want to stay longer, you can apply to extend your, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements. After five years, you may also be entitled to apply for indefinite leave to remain, which gives you the right to live, work and study in the UK for as long as you like. You must apply to extend or update your skilled work visa UK if you change jobs or employer.

To apply for ILR you must have spent continuous period of five years in the UK and must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. You must also meet the English language requirement, pass the Life in the UK test and meet the salary threshold requirement of at least £25,600 per year.

What is the International Sportsperson Visa?

The International Sportsperson Visa is ideal for applicants who are recognised as either elite sportspeople or coaches, that intend to come to the UK to make a different to their sport in the UK, at the highest level of expertise knowledge. This visa provides an ideal route for those who are internationally established people within the sporting industry, replacing the Tier 2 Sportsperson Visa and providing a more simplified pathway for potential applicants. If this is a route of interest to you, please reach out to us today and we can help navigate you through this journey.  

Who can apply for an International Sportsperson Visa?

In terms of eligibility for the International Sportsperson Visa, the applicant must ensure the following: 

  • They are aged 16 years or over. 
  • They have obtained a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) from the Governing Body for their relevant sport (please note that each sport will have its own GBE criteria). 
  • Evidence of a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) provided by their sponsoring club. 

What are the requirements?

Applicants who decide to follow this route, will have to demonstrate certain requirements to ensure a successful application. This will entail the following: 

(Endorsement requirement) 

Applicants for this route must provide a letter of endorsement from an approved body that specifically governs the sport they participate it, in their country of residence. This endorsement must: 

  • Confirm that the applicant is an internationally recognised player or coach at the highest level of their sporting activity. 
  • Show that the applicant will contribute significantly to the development of their sport at the highest level.  
  • Include a unique endorsement number beginning with the abbreviated form of the governing body. 

 

(Financial requirement) 

Additionally, applicants must show that the have substantial savings of at least £1,270 to support themselves in the UK. However, this requirement will not apply if you have already been in the UK for 12 months or more.  

 

(English language requirement) 

If you plan to reside in the UK on this visa route for more than a year, then you will need to meet the English language requirement. This will entail you either having: 

  • An approved English language qualification at CEFR level A1 in speaking and listening or higher, or; 
  • A bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD taught in English. 

What is the International Sportsperson Visa processing time?

The processing time for the International Sportsperson Visa, once you’ve applied and proved your identity and documents, will vary depending on where you are based. If you are based outside the UK, then you should expect a decision in 3 weeks. Whereas, if you’re inside the UK then you can expect a decision in 8 weeks.   

It’s advised that you apply for a visa up tot 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK under this route.  

How to apply for an International Sportsperson Visa?

To successfully apply for this route, you will need to complete and submit an online application form and pay the relevant application fees whilst uploading all the supporting documents needed. Once this has been confirmed, you may be required to book and attend a biometric appointment at your nearest Visa application centre to submit your biometric information.  

How long does an International Sportsperson Visa last?

For applicants who intend to undertake this route, they must choose entry clearance or permission to stay for either 12 months or fewer, or between 12 months and 3 years. Please note that any applicant seeking permission for a period exceeding 12 months, you will also need to meet the English language requirement.  

How much does it cost to get an International Sportsperson Visa?

The International Sportsperson Visa fee depends on how long the applicant intends to stay in the UK. A stay of up to 12 months incurs a fee of £244 per person, whereas a stay longer than 12 months incurs a fee of £610 per person for applications made outside the UK, or £704 per person for applications made from inside the UK, for extensions, or switching to another visa. 

Please note, that the applicant may also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for each year of leave. 

Can my dependants be included as part of my International Sportsperson Visa?

The dependants of a sportsperson (a partner/or children) can apply to join them if they meet the eligibility requirements. To reinforce, a dependent partner or child, is any of the following: 

  • A husband, wife, civil partner, or unmarried partner 
  • A child under the age of 18 (including if they were born in the UK during their stay.  
  • A child over the age of 18 if they are currently in the UK as the applicant’s dependant.  

As well as providing evidence of relationship, dependants may need to satisfy a financial requirement. To qualify for settlement  

How can I apply to include my dependents as part of my International Sportsperson Visa?

How can Bridge Partners Immigration help?

Our team of legal experts have experience in assisting individuals from elite sporting backgrounds, across a range of sports, to successfully apply for this route. We can ensure that we meet your expectations and that your career progression will align comfortably with your immigration goals. We pride ourselves on providing practical yet friendly advice, so do not hesitate to contact us today to receive further guidance on your immigration journey regarding the International Sportsperson Visa route.  

Frequently Asked Skilled Worker visa​ Application Questions

Someone can be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa if they have a job offer from a sponsoring company in the UK for a job that is on the list of skilled worker occupations. In addition, the skilled worker must have the required skills and experience to undergo the role in the company and have the required level of English language ability.   

The minimum salary for the Skilled Worker visa is either £25,600 per year, £10.10 per hour or the “going rate” for the particular occupation code, whichever is highest. For each job on the Home Office occupation list, there is a “going rate” which details the recommended annual and hourly salary that an individual must earn for the role. The rates are based on a 39-hour week of work. Those applying for the Skilled Worker visa need 50 points to do so. These are gained from sponsorship, skill level and English language requirements. However, 20 further tradable points can be given to those that meet the minimum salary requirement. 

You cannot move to the UK without a job offer from a company that has a UK sponsor licence, unless you apply for the Global Talent visa where this is not a requirement. When you are applying for a Skilled Worker visa you must provide a certificate of sponsorship reference number which proves that you have a job offer and therefore permission to work in the UK with a registered sponsor.  

The general Skilled Worker visa requirements are that you must have a job offer from a company that is a UK-registered sponsor and have a certificate of sponsorship that confirms that you have permission to work in the UK within a specific job role. You must be paid the required minimum salary for the occupation, have the required skill level and English language ability to do the job and have enough funds to support yourself in the UK.   

Once all the correct documentation has been submitted, it takes around 3 weeks for an application for a Skilled Worker visa to be processed by the Home Office when applying outside of the UK. For applications within the UK, the standard processing time is 8 weeks, although this can take around 9 weeks on average.  

For the Skilled Worker visa, you will need to provide a valid passport and proof that you have a job in the UK with details about your job role, salary, and employer information. You will also need the reference number for your certificate of sponsorship which proves that you have an approved job offer with a registered UK sponsor. In addition, you will need to provide bank statements that show you are able to support yourself in the UK and proof of the required qualifications needed for the role such as an English language test and degree certificate.

Yes, you can study whilst on a Skilled Worker visa. There is no restriction on the number of hours you can study as long as it does not interfere with your work. Another requirement is that workers who study must first get an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate for their studies and present it to the education provider.  

Skilled Workers are not allowed to run their own businesses.