Tier 2 for Skilled Workers - Sports People
- UK Work Permits for employers looking to hire outside the European Union
- Worker Registration Scheme for EU nationals wishing to work in the UK
Call the London Office on +44 (0)845 658 0410 for a HSMP consultation or an appointment.
The following information is about the UK's new points based system, which has not been fully implemented yet. It's possible that information may change over the course of the following months, so please check back periodically.
Tier 2 Sports People Visa Overview
The United Kingdom's sports people immigration category allows you to come to Britain to play or coach in the sports profession. You must intend to base yourself in the United Kingdom and you must be internationally established at the highest level of your sport. Your employment must make a significant contribution to the development of your sport at the highest level in the United Kingdom.
This category will replace the existing work permit arrangements for sports people when it goes live sometime in Autumn of 2008.
Eligibility
Under the current plans for the Tier 2 sports people category, the United Kingdom will require you to score 70 points in order to be successful in your application. The points are scored under three different sets of criteria, Sponsorship, Maintenance, and English Language skills. Below is an overview on how points are earned under Tier 2 for Sports People:
| Tier 2 Sports People Points Test | |
|---|---|
| Sponsorship | 50 points |
| Maintenance | 10 points |
| English Language Skills | 10 points |
Sponsorship
To come to the United Kingdom under Tier 2 for Sports People, you must be sponsored by a sports club or its equivalent who is licensed to do so by the UK government. This will earn you 50 points towards your Tier 2 Sports People visa. You can only be issued a certificate of sponsorship if you:
- are qualified to do the job;
- intend to base yourself in Britain
- have been approved by the governing body of your sport
- comply with the conditions to stay in the UK and leave the UK once your leave expires
You will also be required to have an endorsement from the appropriate governing body of your sport confirming that you are internationally established as an elite sports person and that you will make a significant contribution towards your sport in the UK at the highest level. The endorsement should also confirm that it is needed to fill the post from outside the European Economic Area (EEA).
Maintenance
10 points are earned for Maintenance, which states that you have enough funds to support yourself and any dependants during your stay in the UK. You must have GBP 800 in a bank account at the time of your application and an additional GBP 600 for each dependant that you intend to bring with you.
English Language Skills
10 points are awarded for English language skills. To stay in the UK as a sports person, you must speak English to a basic level. This includes using everyday expressions, being able to introduce yourself, and answer basic questions about yourself. To show that you can speak basic English, you must prove one of the following:
- that you come from a majority English-speaking country
- that you have passed a recognized English language test to the appropriate level
- that you have taken a degree taught in English, which is verified by UK NARIC
Extending a Tier 2 Sports People Visa
To extend your stay in the United Kingdom under a Tier 2 Sports People visa, you must pass the points test again under the requirements in place at the time of your application for extension. This includes a certificate of sponsorship with an endorsement by the relavent governing body of your sport. However, you will automatically score the required points for English language skills.
After a continous period of residency in the UK for five years, you will be eligible to apply for settlement as a permanent resident (also known as indefinite leave to remain).