The Tier 2 Sportsperson visa is for elite sportspeople and coaches who are internationally established at the highest level and will make a significant contribution to the development of their sport. Your application will need to be endorsed by your sport's governing body.
When you apply for the Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa, you must hold a valid certificate of sponsorship, will need to meet the English language requirement and also the maintenance. You may apply for exemption from the English language requirements.
In order for a Certificate of Sponsorship to be issued, your sponsor will need to have obtained an endorsement for you from the appropriate governing body for your sport.
The endorsement will confirm that you are internationally established as a player or coach at the highest level and you will make a significant contribution to the development of your sport at the highest level in the UK. Further to that, you intend to be based in the UK for the duration of your permission to stay and your post could not be filled by a suitable settled worker.
How to apply for the Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa
The visa process is a simple and straightforward, however you will need to make sure the certificate of sponsorship have been assigned with the correct details and also the prescribed evidences have been provided.
When applying, the Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa application is applied online; this is whether you are in the UK or outside of the UK. Once you have completed your Tier 2 (Sportsperson) application, you will be able to pay for the visa fees and book the visa appointment. As part of the submission, you will need to submit your legal representation and also the evidences to support your Tier 2 (Sportsperson) application.
The decision making of a Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa does not take more than 15 working days however this would depend on individual applications and country of application. Once a decision is served, the Home Office can issue up to 5 years Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa. Your visa validity will depend on the certificate of sponsorship issued by your employer.
Your Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa comes with a number of conditions, which includes no recourse to public funds, may require registering with the police and will need permission to study in the UK unless the exception policies apply.
You can also apply for your dependants to join you in the UK. They will need to meet the immigration requirements as set out and must have adequate maintenance to join you in the UK.
Refusal of your Tier 2 (Sportsperson)
If your Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa is refused, there will be a right to complete an administrative review. The decision letter will usually set out the reasons on the refusal and you will have limited time to challenge the decision.
You will have one opportunity to challenge the decision, therefore you need to make sure the grounds and submission is done correctly.
Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain as a Tier 2 (Sportsperson) migrant
Where you have completed 5 years continuous residency in the UK as a Tier 2 (Sportsperson) migrant, you will be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain. The category allows you to combine other immigration categories which is limited to Tier 1 visas, any Tier 2 categories to name some of the categories that could be added to the 5 years residency requirements.
The application requires that you do not fall for refusal under general grounds of refusal and must not have any un-spent criminal or civil convictions. As part of your application, you will need to provide evidences of your 5 years continuous employment in the UK. This must be evident in your application file.
You should also get a letter from the employer who sponsored your stay in the UK confirming that you have been working throughout the period of the visa held and further to that, you will need to show the knowledge of life requirements have been met.
Finally, you must have the full intention to live and work in the UK as a Tier 2 (Sportsperson).
Taking legal advice on the Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa
At ICS Legal, we will advise you on the correct process of applying under the Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa and support you throughout the visa application process.
You can speak to one of our UK Immigration Lawyers on the Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa requirements by sending us an email on info@icslegal.com or you can call us on 0207 237 3388. We also have a free visa assessment form that you can also complete.
ICS Legal : UK Immigration Advice | UK Visas | Partners & Marriage Visas | Tier 1 Start-up, Tier 1 Innovator & Tier 1 Investor Visas | British Citizenship. ICS Legal is part of ICS Legal Immigration Specialists Ltd. The content and the source codes contained in this page and subsequent pages of www.icslegal.com are the property of ICS Legal Immigration Specialists Ltd. Company Reg Company No. 08703375. Company Registered in England & Wales. By logging into the site, you have accepted our terms and conditions and must abide accordingly. Unauthorised reproduction and copying is strictly prohibited. Selective contents of the website have been re-produced in accordance to Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI). ICS Legal Immigration Specialists Ltd holds PSI Licence and licence number is C2009002244. Parliamentary Licence number is P2009000241.
The content on our site is provided for general information only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Although we make reasonable efforts to update the information on our site, we make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content on our site is accurate, complete or up-to-date. We do not guarantee that our site, or any content on it, will always be available or be uninterrupted. Access to our site is permitted on a temporary basis. We may suspend, withdraw, discontinue or change all or any part of our site without notice. We will not be liable to you if for any reason our site is unavailable at any time or for any period. You are responsible for making all arrangements necessary for you to have access to our site. You are also responsible for ensuring that all persons who access our site through your Internet connection are aware of these terms, and that they comply with them.