International Sportsperson visa

The International Sportsperson route is for an elite sportsperson or qualified sports coach who is internationally established and can make a significant contribution to the development of their sport at its highest level in the UK. 

A person applying on this route must have a Governing Body Endorsement from an appropriate Sports Governing Body listed in Appendix Sports Governing Bodies. 

The partner and children of an International Sportsperson can apply on this route.

This is a 5-year route to settlement.

You need 70 points if applying to enter for less than 12 months and 80 points if applying to enter for longer. 

Governing Body Endorsement = 50 points

Certificate of Sponsorship = 10 points

Financial requirements  = 10 points (savings of at least £1,270)

*Applicants seeking permission for a period of more than 12 months will also be required to meet the English language requirement (10 points).

In addition, there is a Parental consent requirement for an International Sportsperson aged under 18.

You  will need to show travel history for the last five years and may need to undertake a TB medical clearance test. 

1. Footballers joining Premier League or Championship clubs (e.g., a Brazilian striker signing with Arsenal).
    
2. Cricketers contracted to county teams (e.g., an Indian national team bowler joining Surrey for the County Championship).
    
3. Tennis players based in the UK for training and competing in UK-based tournaments (e.g., a top-100 ATP player setting up base in London).
    
4. Rugby players moving to play for Premiership Rugby teams (e.g., a South African flanker signing with Harlequins).
    

1. Head coaches for top-level teams (e.g., an Australian coach hired by a UK national athletics team).
    
2. Technical specialists in areas like sprinting, goalkeeping, or swimming technique, employed by UK governing bodies or elite training centres.

         3.  A Cuban Olympic boxing coach is hired by GB Boxing to train Team GB                                  athletes for the Olympics.
 

1. An Olympic track cyclist from New Zealand joining a UK training program or team.
    
2. A Paralympic swimmer moving to train at a British elite training centre under a UK club’s sponsorship.
    

1. A world champion boxer or MMA fighter relocating to train and compete from a UK-based gym (e.g., a UFC fighter preparing in Manchester).
    
2. A taekwondo or judo champion employed as a competitor and occasional coach at a British club.
    

Note: Although esports is growing in popularity, it is not currently recognized under the visa as a "sport" by the UK's Home Office, so professional esports players can't use this route.