Temporary and long-term sporting routes
The current system for sports provides both temporary and long-term arrangements for professional sportspeople participating in sport in the UK.
Sports Governing Bodies (SGBs) will continue to issue and operate an endorsement process for applicants, ensuring playing opportunities for resident sportspeople and youth development are protected. Such endorsements will be based on objective sporting criteria which are published on each SGB’s website, ensuring full transparency.
In line with our current arrangements for sports, sportspeople seeking to come to the UK on a temporary basis – 12 months or less – will not be subject to an English language requirement. Those sportspeople seeking to either come for longer periods or to settle in the UK will be subject to an English language requirement, maintaining alignment to the Skilled Worker route. Accordingly, calculation of time periods on any route to settlement under this route will only begin once a migrant has demonstrated the requisite English language requirement.
Who can apply?
Internationally recognised sportspeople of all nationalities. They must have a confirmed job offer, an endorsement from the relevant SGB, and their employees must be sponsored by a UK employer who is licenced by the Home Office.
Sportspeople are permitted to move on loan to another club, but if they decide to move permanently, they will need to apply for a new Governing Body Endorsement with their new club.
Table 14: Sportsperson (temporary leave) conditions and requirements
| Requirements | Conditions and restrictions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| English language | No | Capped | No |
| Application fee | Yes | Switching – employers | Yes |
| Immigration Skills Charge | No | Switching – routes (in-country) | Yes |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | Yes | Settlement | No |
| Biometrics | Yes | Dependants | Yes |
| Maintenance | Yes | Access to public funds | No |
| Supplementary work | Yes | ||
Table 15: Sportsperson (long-term leave) conditions and requirements
| Requirements | Conditions and restrictions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| English language* | Yes | Capped | No |
| Application fee | Yes | Switching – routes (in-country) | Yes |
| Immigration Skills Charge | No | Settlement | Yes |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | Yes | Dependants | Yes |
| Biometrics | Yes | Access to public funds | No |
| Maintenance | Yes | Supplementary work | Yes |
*A sportsperson remaining in the UK for more than a 24-month continuous period, must demonstrate a knowledge of English equivalent to level A1 or above of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework for Language Learning; or have an academic qualification that was taught in English and is recognised by UK NARIC as being equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD.
Additional: Sportspeople can apply for indefinite leave to remain after completing five-years continuous residence in the UK and demonstrating the relevant knowledge of the English language.
Both temporary and long-term leave visa holders:
- can undertake supplementary work at the same level as primary employment, undertake a job on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) or study up to 15 hours per week.
- are permitted to work as a sportsperson for their national team while it is playing in a British University and College Sport (BUCS) competition; or work as a sports broadcaster.
- must be received at least National Minimum Wage (exemptions apply to some schemes, e.g. Erasmus).
