Overview
There are various categories for sportspersons, whether you are visting, in tournaments or in a contract for a club.
Sports Visitors
You will be a sports visitor if during the course of your short visit you intend to:
1) Take part a particular sporting event, tournament or series of events
2) Take part in a specific one-off charity sporting event and that you will not be paid other than cash prizes or for board and lodging and other reasonable expenses
3) Join as an amateur a wholly or mainly amateur team and that you will not be paid other than for board and lodging and other reasonable expenses
4) Be a member of the support staff of a visiting sportsperson or an official (including those officials coming on a voluntary basis) attending the same event as the visiting sportsperson;
5) Undertake personal appearances or promotional activities
6) Undertake a trial provided it is not in front of an audience, or training provided that they are not basing themselves here and they participate in friendly or exhibition matches only
Sportspersons (Temporary)
This category is suited for candidates coming to the United Kingdom to work or perform as sports people, entertainers or creative artists for up to 12 months.
Sports persons must be internationally established at the highest level in their sport and must make a significant contribution to the development and running of sport at the highest level in the United Kingdom.
If you are a coach, you must be suitably qualified to do the job.
This category does not apply if you are visiting sportsperson taking part in a tournament or series of events. You must have a valid sponsor before entering the United Kingdom and be have an endorsement for you from the governing body for your sport.
Sportspersons
The requirements are quite similar to above and you will be assessed under the New Points Based (PBS) Scheme. This is suited to professionals at the highest level in their sport and is suited to sportspersons who are intending to stay in the UK for more than 12 months.
What next
The information here is at a high level, for more information call +44(0) 23800 16362 or alternatively send us and email to info@solentimmigration.co.uk.