The Sports Visit Visa is designed for both amateur and professional sportspersons, as well as technical or support staff of sportspersons and sports officials, who intend to engage in permitted unpaid sporting activities in the UK for a maximum period of 6 months.

This visa falls under the Standard Visitor route, which is specifically for individuals seeking temporary stays in the UK. It's important to note that this visa does not grant settlement rights in the UK, and each visitor must submit a separate application, even if traveling as part of a group.

Sports Visit Visa Requirements

In order to qualify for a Sports Visit Visa, you are required to show UK Visas & Immigration that:

• You hold a visa and are not exempt from visa requirements when entering the UK;
• Your purpose for entering the UK aligns with the permitted visitor routes;
• You will refrain from engaging in any activities that are prohibited;
• You possess adequate funds to cover all expenses related to your visit, including travel, living, and accommodation costs, without relying on employment or public funds;
• You intend to depart the UK upon the completion of your visit;
• You will not attempt to reside in the UK for extended periods by frequently visiting or making it your primary residence;
• Your application does not meet the criteria for refusal based on general grounds;
• You have secured an Electronic Travel Authorisation, if it is a mandatory requirement for your entry.

The specific criteria you must meet may differ based on your individual situation. It may be beneficial to consult with an immigration solicitor for professional guidance.

Requirement for Visa Nationals

A visa national is an individual who, due to their nationality, needs a Visit Visa to enter the UK as a Visitor. Visa nationals are generally required to apply for a Visit Visa before traveling to the UK.

The Home Office has released a list of nationalities that must apply for a Visit Visa before traveling to the UK as a Visitor. This list contains some exceptions, which permit certain visa nationals to request entry as a Visitor upon arrival in the UK.

Non-visa nationals can typically request entry as a Visitor upon arrival in the UK. However, non-visa nationals still need to meet the requirements for entry as a Visitor and should be ready to explain, for instance, the purpose of their visit, how they will be supported and accommodated in the UK, and their return travel plans upon arrival.

EU citizens are classified as non-visa nationals and are eligible to seek entry as a Visitor upon reaching the UK without the need to obtain a Visit Visa.

In addition to assisting visa nationals with Visit Visa applications, our barristers regularly help non-visa nationals meet the requirements for entry as a Visitor upon arrival in the UK.

Sportspersons' Visit Visa

Sports Visit Visas are open to both amateur and professional athletes. However, similar to other Visitor routes, Sports Visitors are not allowed to receive payment from a UK source for any activities carried out in the UK.

If you are working as a professional athlete for a UK-based team, then the Sports Visit Visa is not the appropriate immigration option, and you should consider applying for an International Sportsperson Visa instead.

The Home Office considers professional athletes participating in professional domestic championships or leagues as employees, regardless of whether they are paid or not.

Amateur athletes seeking to join an amateur team or club to enhance their skills in a specific sport must demonstrate to the Home Office that they are truly amateurs joining a genuinely amateur team or club.

Personnel and Technical Team

Employees such as physiotherapists, coaches, dieticians, bodyguards, and press officers who are accompanying a sportsperson to the same event may also be eligible for a Sports Visit Visa, as long as they are employed by the sportsperson for work outside of the UK.

Sports Officials

Sports officials involved in a sports competition or event in the UK can apply for a Sports Visit Visa.

They might be participating in the event alongside athletes engaged in authorized sporting activities, or they could be invited by a UK-based sports organization, agent, or broadcaster. This category encompasses various roles such as lines people and umpires.

Activities allowed under the Sports Visit Visa

In order to qualify for a Sports Visit Visa, you are required to show UK Visas & Immigration that your reason for entering the UK is in line with the allowed purposes for visitors, and that you will not participate in any forbidden activities.

Sportspersons are allowed to participate in approved sporting activities as Sports Visitors, provided they have obtained the necessary permission.

• Participate in a sports competition or athletic event either individually or as a member of a team
• Engage in public appearances and participate in promotional events
• Participate in tryouts as long as they are not in front of a paying audience
• Engage in brief training sessions as long as they are not receiving payment from a UK sports organization
• Join an amateur team or club to acquire experience in a specific sport if they are an amateur in that sport

Sports Visitors under the Sports Visit Visa can engage in other activities allowed under the Standard Visitor route, such as permitted paid engagements. These engagements must be arranged prior to entering the UK and must be completed within 30 days of arrival in the country.

Visa Requirement for Sports Visit due to Intention of Leaving the UK

Besides proving to the Home Office your genuine intention to enter the UK for an authorized reason and meeting the extra eligibility criteria, you must also demonstrate, in your Sports Visit Visa application, that you will depart the UK after your visit and will not reside in the country for prolonged periods by making frequent or successive visits, or establishing the UK as your primary residence.

Throughout the evaluation of your application, the Home Office will take into account various factors such as:

• Your history of immigration, including visits to the UK and several other countries.
• Your financial situation, along with your family, social, and economic upbringing.
• Your connections, both personal and economic, to your current country of residence.

The Home Office may question the authenticity of your visit if you lack significant family and financial connections to your home country, yet have multiple family members residing in the UK, if you have a history of trying to mislead the Home Office in immigration applications, and if there are inconsistencies between your statements and those of your sponsor.

Financial Requirement for Sports Visit Visa

Your financial resources should be sufficient to cover all reasonable expenses associated with your visit, including travel, living, and accommodation costs, without the need to seek employment or use public funds.

Your funds are required to be kept in an acknowledged financial establishment.

If a third party intends to cover your travel, living, and accommodation expenses, they must have a genuine professional or personal relationship with you, comply with immigration laws, and be able to provide support for the duration of your visit as a Visitor.

English Language Proficiency Requirement for Sports Visit Visa

Sports Visit Visa applicants are not required to meet an English language proficiency standard.

Duration of Validity for Sports Visit Visa

If you intend to travel to the UK for a Sports Visit, you have the option to request a Visit Visa that is valid for 6 months, 2 years, 5 years, or 10 years.

You are allowed to travel in and out of the UK several times while your Visit Visa is valid, unless it is specifically issued for single or dual entry purposes. It is important to ensure that each visit does not exceed 6 months.

Visa for Sports Visit and Work Authorisation

Sports Visitors are not allowed to engage in any form of work in the UK or receive payment from a UK source for any activities carried out in the UK, except for a few specific circumstances.

This implies that Sports Visitors are prohibited from taking up employment, starting or managing a business as a self-employed individual, working for an organization or company in the UK, participating in a work placement or internship in the UK, or offering goods or services in the UK.

As the Sports Visit Visa falls under the Standard Visitor category, Sports Visitors may engage in other activities permitted under the Standard Visitor route. This involves engaging in approved paid commitments, on the condition that the paid commitment is scheduled prior to traveling to the UK and is fulfilled within 30 days of arrival in the UK.

Sports Visitors in the UK are permitted to engage in remote work activities, however, the primary intention of their visit should not be remote work.  The primary reason for visiting the UK should be to engage in a permitted activity, rather than specifically to work remotely from the UK.

Sports Visitors are also permitted to travel to the UK to search for employment and attend job interviews. However, if offered a job, they must leave the UK and apply for the appropriate entry clearance before starting work.

Fees for Sports Visit Visa Application

The cost of applying for a Sports Visit Visa for a brief visit lasting no more than 6 months is £115. If you opt for a Sports Visit Visa valid for 2 years, the fee will be £400. For a 5-year visa, the fee is £771, and for a 10-year visa, the fee is £963.