UK International Sportsperson visa consultant in India

UK International Sportsperson visa consultant in India talks about this UK visa in detail

A UK International Sportsperson visa is essentially needed for an overseas applicant, who is a sportsperson or a qualified coach. This is a sponsored route and requires a UK employer to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship to the applicant.

Get in touch with The SmartMove2UK to know about how can you apply for a UK International Sportsperson visa. As a UK International Sportsperson visa consultant in India, we accurately guide our clients on the entire procedure and requirements!

What is the UK International Sportsperson visa?

The applicant can apply for a UK International Sportsperson visa if all the following apply:

The applicant is an elite sportsperson or a qualified coach, who’s recognized by a sport’s governing body as being at the highest level of the profession internationally.
The application must be endorsed by a UK sports governing body.
The applicant’s expertise will make developments in the sports industry in the UK..

What are the eligibility criteria to apply for a UK International Sportsperson visa?

To qualify for a UK International Sportsperson visa, the applicant must:

Have a ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ from the employer with information about the role that is being offered in the UK.
Prove knowledge of the English language, if applying to stay for more than 12 months.
Have enough savings for personal support (at least £1,270 in the bank account), after arriving in the UK.
Show that he/she can travel to the UK and the travel history of the last 5 years.
Have tuberculosis test results (if required).
Have an eligible qualification, if the applicant is switching from a UK Student visa.

How can I get a Certificate of Sponsorship?

The UK-based employer – also known as a ‘Sponsor’ – must provide the applicant with a ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ stating all the information regarding the job role for which the applicant is employed in the UK.
It’s an e-Certificate. That means, it is an electronic record and not a paper document.
The applicant will need the reference number from the Certificate of Sponsorship to apply for the visa.
Applicants can only use the Certificate of Sponsorship reference number once. It is required that the applicant must use it within 3 months of getting it.

What is the English language requirement for a UK International Sportsperson visa?

If the applicant is applying to stay for more than 12 months, then he/she is required to prove knowledge of the English language.
The applicant can prove their knowledge of the English language by either:

Passing an approved English language test with at least CEFR level A1 in speaking and listening.
Having an academic qualification taught in English and is recognised by Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) as equivalent to a UK Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, or Ph.D.

What documents will I need to apply for a UK International Sportsperson visa?

While applying for this visa, the applicant needs to provide:

A Certificate of Sponsorship reference number – given by the UK-based employer.
A valid passport to prove identity with enough blank pages in it.
Proof of knowledge of the English language.
Evidence that the applicant has enough personal savings to support their stay in the UK (at least £1,270 in the bank account).
Tuberculosis test results (if required).
Expired passports or travel documents if they are required to show the travel history.
A letter of endorsement from the sport’s governing body.
If the documents are not in English or Welsh, the applicant is required to provide a certified translation.

How to apply for a UK International Sportsperson visa?

The applicant must apply for a UK International Sportsperson visa online.

What is the cost of a UK International Sportsperson visa?

The application fee depends on the duration of the stay.

Cost for up to 12 months – £259.

Cost for more than 12 months:

If applying from outside the UK – £625.
If applying from inside the UK to extend or switch – £719.

Plus, Healthcare surcharge, which is usually £624 per year.

How can I extend my UK International Sportsperson visa?

The applicant can apply to extend their visa. However, the application should be submitted before the current visa expires.
The applicant must renew their endorsement from a sport’s governing body and should receive a new Certificate of Sponsorship reference number.

How can I switch to a UK International Sportsperson visa?

The applicant can apply to change (‘switch’) to a UK International Sportsperson visa if they are already in the UK on a different type of visa.
The applicant must not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. If done so, the application will be withdrawn.

Who cannot apply to switch?

Individuals who are currently in the UK:

On a Visit visa,
On a Short-Term Student visa,
On a Parent of a Child Student visa,
On a Seasonal Worker visa,
On a Domestic Worker in a Private Household visa,
On immigration bail,
Permitted to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds.

The applicant is required to leave the UK and apply for a UK International Sportsperson visa from abroad if they come under any one of these categories.

Can my partner and children join me on a UK International Sportsperson visa?

The applicant’s partner and children can apply to join to stay in the UK as ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.
If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as the applicants.

Who can apply as the dependents of the main applicant?

Husband, wife, civil partner, or unmarried partner.
Children under 18 years – including if they were born in the UK during the stay.
Children over 18 years if they’re currently in the UK as a dependant.

The applicant needs to provide evidence of relationship while applying.

Can I take a second job in the UK while on a UK International Sportsperson visa?

The applicant can take a second job on this visa if they are working up to 20 hours a week in either:

The same profession as the main job.
A profession on the Skilled Worker shortage occupation list.
The applicant can also do unpaid voluntary work.

How long does it take to get a decision on a UK International Sportsperson visa?

Once applied online, submitted identity proofs, and provided all relevant documents, the decision usually takes,

3 weeks, if applied from outside the UK.
8 weeks, if applied from inside the UK.

How long can I stay in the UK on the UK International Sportsperson visa?

The applicant can stay in the UK for up to 3 years.
The visa can be extended it as long as the applicant is still eligible.
After 5 years, the applicant may be able to settle permanently in the UK.

What is permitted/not permitted in the UK on a UK International Sportsperson visa?

The applicant can:

Work for the sponsor in a job role that is described on the Certificate of Sponsorship.
Do a second job in certain circumstances.
Play for the national team in the UK.
Work as a sports broadcaster.
Do voluntary work.
Study as long as it does not interfere with the main job.
Travel abroad and return to the UK.
Bring a partner and children (under 18 years) as dependants, if they’re eligible.

The applicant cannot:

Get public funds.
Start or run a business.
Apply for a second job until the applicant has started working for their sponsor.

How can The SmartMove2UK be of help for your UK International Sportsperson visa application?

The SmartMove2UK is a UK immigration law firm, established in 2009.
As a UK International Sportsperson visa consultant in India, our firm has a team of UK immigration solicitors and experts.

Our law firm was announced as the winner of IAE Corporate Immigration Law (India) award, in 2016.
We are recognized by Who’s Who Legal (WWL) as a Corporate Immigration Firm in 2016.
We take pride in being the members of prominent institutions like, The Law Society and Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa.

Our offices are located in India – Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru.

We have been assisting clients from all over the world and our clientele is spread across 26+ countries, with 1,000 of success stories.

Our UK-qualified solicitors have the expertise of over 2 decades in providing Legal Advice for all UK immigration-related assistance.

We also offer Full Representation service and Filing Appeals for Refused applications.

You can get in touch with our UK immigration lawyer to book a consultation!

Get the help you need today!