Appendix International Sportsperson is a part of UK immigration law. The appendix outlines the validity, suitability eligibility criteria, and other details for individuals applying under the International Sportsperson visa category. The International Sportsperson Visa replaced the T2 Sportsperson and the sporting provisions of the T5 (Temporary Worker) Creative or Sporting Worker route.
The UK international sportsperson visa is a highly sought-after visa route among international sportspersons and coaches. In this article, we are going to discuss an overview of the Appendix International Sportsperson.
Appendix International Sportsperson outlines the criteria for international sportspersons applying for a visa to work in the UK. The international sportsperson is a visa route for internationally established elite sportspersons and qualified sports coaches. They are internationally recognized, and hence they can contribute (in their field of sports) to the UK’s sports at its highest level. If you are applying on an international sportsperson visa route, you must have a governing body endorsement. This governing body must be listed in the Appendix Sports Governing Bodies. The visa is for short-term and long-term.
You can be granted a leave of up to 12 months if you are applying under a temporary route. You can also apply for a leave of up to 3 years and an extension thereafter. If you apply for up to 3 years, you will also be required to meet the English language requirement.
Your dependent partner and children can apply on this route as well. This is a route to settlement, i.e., indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
Age - You must be aged 16 or over on the date of application.
Endorsement - You must have an endorsement from a recognized and relevant UK governing body listed in the appendix, Sports Governing Bodies for your sport. The endorsement must confirm that you are an elite, internationally established athlete at the highest level or coach. It must also confirm that you will create a significant impact in the development of your sport at the highest level in the UK.
Certificate of Sponsorship - You must have a COS (certificate of sponsorship) from an approved sponsor, such as a club or sporting organization, for the job you are planning to do. The COS must include details about the job, such as salary, and confirm that the role meets the visa requirements.
Points Requirements - You must be awarded 70 points if you are applying for entry clearance or leave to remain for 12 months or less. On the other hand, if you are applying for more than 12 months, you must be awarded 80 points. Extra 10 points are awarded for meeting the English language requirement, which is mandatory if you apply for a visa valid for more than 12 months.
Details of 70 points (mandatory) are like this.
Endorsement from a Governing Body - 50 Points
Certificate of Sponsorship from an Approved Sponsor - 10 Points
Financial Requirements -10 Points
Extra 10 points if you apply for more than 12 months of entry clearance or leave to remain must be earned by meeting the English language requirement at level A1.
Financial Requirement - You must prove you have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds. This typically requires having at least £1,270 available for at least 28 days before you apply, unless your sponsor can certify your maintenance and accommodation up to the end of the first month of your employment for an amount of at least £1,270.
The above threshold is required if you are applying for entry clearance or for leave to remain where you have been in the UK for less than 12 months on the date of application. If you are applying for leave to remain and you have been living in the UK for 12 months or more on the date of application, you will meet the financial requirement automatically without having to show funds.
English Language Requirement - Unless exempt, you must meet the English language requirement also if you are applying for a UK international sportsperson visa for more than 12 months. This typically means that you pass an approved English language test at CEFR level A1 for speaking and listening or prove your proficiency through other recognized means (e.g., a degree taught in English).
Parental Consent - You must show your parental consent if you are not applying as a dependent child in Appendix Children.
Apply Online - You must apply online. As part of the application, you will also have to prove your identity and submit the supporting documents.
Pay the Application Fee - You and your dependent partner and children (if any) will have to pay the application fee. The fee depends on whether you are applying for a leave of up to 12 months or up to 3 years and where you are applying from.
If you are applying for a leave of up to 12 months, you need to pay £298 per applicant. If you are applying from inside the UK for an initial leave of more than 12 months or an extension, you need to pay £827 per applicant. If you are applying for a leave of more than 12 months from outside the UK, you need to pay £719 per applicant.
Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge - You also need to pay the immigration health surcharge, which is usually £1,035 per year per person.
How long it takes to get a decision depends on where you are applying from. It usually takes 8 weeks if you apply from inside the UK and 3 weeks if you apply from outside the UK.
You can also avail ‘priority’ or ‘super priority’ service to get a faster decision by paying for it.
3 Years - You can stay for up to 3 years initially on a UK International Sportsperson Visa.
Extension - You can apply for an extension for up to 3 years as well.
Settlement - After you have spent 5 years continuously in the UK, you may apply for indefinite leave to remain.
You can do the following on this visa:
Work as a Sportsperson or Coach - You can work in the UK in the role for which you have been endorsed and sponsored, whether as an athlete or a coach.
Secondary Employment - In certain circumstances, you can take on a second job, as long as it’s either in the same profession or at the same skill level as your primary role.
Voluntary Work - You are permitted to do voluntary work in addition to your sponsored role.
Study - You can take up courses of study as long as they don’t interfere with your primary role as a sportsperson or coach.
Bring Family Members - You can bring eligible family members (dependent partner and children) to the UK as dependents.
Travel In and Out of the UK - You are free to travel outside the UK and return, as long as your visa remains valid.
You cannot
Claim public funds,
Start or run a business, and
Take another job until you start working for your sponsor.
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