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Sports Visit 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?

We can help you. It’s what we do.

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 Sports Visit Visa?

The Sports Visit Visa is a popular sub-category of the Standard Visitor route, which is a route for applicants who wish to visit the UK on a temporary basis of up to 6 months, for the purpose of sports-related activities. Like the other sub-categories under the Visitor route, this pathway does not lead to settlement in the UK and all visitors are required to make a separate application, even if they decide to travel as part of a group.  

Who can apply for the Sports Visit Visa?

To apply for the Sports Visit Visa, the applicant must be either an amateur or professional sportsperson (can be an individual or a team), technical or support staff of sportspersons and sports officials who may wish to visit the UK to undertake permitted but unpaid sporting activities, on a short-term basis of up to 6 months.  

What are the requirements?

To successfully qualify under this route, the applicant must be able to demonstrate the following requirements and have valid evidence of entering the UK for sport-related activities. Such requirements of the UK Visas & Immigration, include: 

  • To provide evidence that you are a visa national. 
  • You are genuinely seeking entry to the UK for creative intentions. 
  • You do not plan to undertake any prohibited activities. 
  • You have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to your visit (this may include accommodation, maintenance, and travel costs) without relying on public funds.  
  • You do not plan to leave the UK at the end of your visit. 
  • You will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits or plan to make the UK your main residence. 
  • Your application does not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal. 
  • You have obtained an Electronic Travel Authorisation, if required.  

 

Additionally, the applicant must be able to demonstrate a genuine intention to leave the UK after the duration of their visit. In assessing your application, the Home Office may consider the following factors: 

  • Your previous immigration history, including visits to the UK and other countries. 
  • Your financial circumstances. 
  • Evidence of your personal and economic ties to your country of residence.  

What is the Sports Visa Visit processing time?

The processing time for a Sports Visa Visit, can take approximately up to 3 weeks until the applicant can receive a decision.

How long does a Sports Visit Visa last?

Under the Sports Visit Visa, your visit may be valid for 6 months, 2 years, 5 years of 10 years. Please note that each visit to the UK must not exceed 6 months.  

How much does it cost to get a Sports Visit Visa?

The Sports Visit Visa for a short stay of up to 6 months is currently £100. However, if you wish to apply for a Sports Visit Visa that is valid for either 2 years, 5 years, or 10 years then the Home Office application fee will be £376, £670 or £837 respectively. 

Can my dependents be included as part of my Sports Visit Visa?

Under this visa route, dependents are unfortunately not permitted to join the main applicant on their visa route.   

How can I apply for a Sports Visit Visa?

The application process entails an online application being submitted by the applicant, using the unique reference number from their sponsorship certificate, where this certificate will only be valid for a period of 3 months from the date it is assigned to them.  

Once their application has been successfully submitted below, the applicant will need to provide supporting documentation to prove their identity. Depending on the applicant, they may be able to prove their identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app, or they may need to attend an in-person appointment to successfully enrol their biometric information.  

If required to prove their identity via the second route, the applicant will find out if an appointment is required when they start their visa application. If they are applying from outside the UK and need to attend an appointment, this will be possible at an overseas visa application centre. On the other hand, if they are applying from within the UK, the appointment will be at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services service point.  

How can Bridge Partners Immigration help?

Our immigration legal experts can assist applicants from across the globe to secure visas, so that they can carry out sport-related activities or appearances here in the UK. Whether you are seeking advice on applying for a Sport Visit visa, assistance with preparing an application or legal representation to challenge a decision to refuse an application for a Sport Visit Visa, our knowledgeable team can assist.  

We pride ourselves on providing a proactive yet friendly approach to meeting our client’s needs, to ensure that we can confidently meet your expectations.  

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.