The Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa is for elite sportspeople and coaches whose employment will make a significant contribution to the development of their sport at the highest level in the UK. Applicants must be internationally established at the highest level of their particular sport. The Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa is for foreign sportspeople intending to stay in the UK in the longer term. If you are intending to stay for less than a year, a Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting) visa may be more appropriate

Tier 2 Points Test for Sports People

• You must meet the Tier 2 Maintenance Requirement for which you are awarded 10 points
• You must be in possession of a valid Tier 2 (Sports People) Certificate of Sponsorship for which you score 50 points

Extension Applications for a Tier 2 Visa for Sports People

In order to extend your Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa, you will need to have been issued with a Certificate of Sponsorship for your continuing employment. It will also be necessary for your employer to apply to your sport's governing body for a fresh endorsement

After a continuous period of residency in the UK for five years, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain providing you meet the conditions put in place by UK immigration at the time of your application. Indefinite leave to remain is permission to remain in the UK indefinitely. It is not the same as naturalisation as a British citizen

We typically assist clients to arrange a mortgage up to 90% of the value of the property they wish to purchase - so a minimum deposit of 10% is required.

Duration

The Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa is valid for up to 3 years and 1 month

If you are responsible for recruitment for a UK sporting club or other organisation and need assistance in obtaining a Tier 2 Sponsorship License then please complete a free evaluation form

Summary of Applicant Requirements

In order to gain entry into the UK an applicant must satisfy the Tier 2 for Sports People Points Test shown below and acquire the full 70 points

Endorsement of the applicant by the sport's governing body

In order to be allowed to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship, a sponsor must first obtain the endorsement for the applicant from the relevant sport's governing body. The endorsement will confirm that

• The player or coach is internationally established at the highest level
• The player or coach will make a significant contribution to the development of his or her sport at the highest level in the UK
• The post could not be filled by a suitable settled worker. A settled worker is either a UK national, a national of the European Economic Area or someone who is legally settled in the UK with permission to work.