[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” content_placement=”middle” css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1544181326484{background-image: url(https://immigrationexperts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Banner.jpg?id=1633) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}” el_class=”video_overlay”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1544180342932{padding-top: 100px !important;padding-bottom: 100px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2) UK” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:center|color:{550504ab9c0cb0f84db7c39152d65be21b6403ad977c49457b63283386586382}23ffffff” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1544443330621{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1452837797829{margin-bottom: 51px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Section 1: Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2)

The Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2) comes under the Tier 2 Work Permit scheme specified by the UK Home Office. This visa allows eligible sportspersons and coaches to enter, work and stay in the UK on a long-term basis.

If you are applying for this visa type, your application must be sponsored by your sponsor in the UK, for whom you will be playing or coaching. For instance, famous sportspersons in other countries can play for or coach a team or club in the UK, if the team or club is sponsoring the application.

Apart from your team or club sponsoring you, your application must be endorsed by the UK governing body of your sport, for you to be eligible.

According to current immigration rules specified by the gov.uk, a sportsperson qualifying for the Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2) can stay in the UK for a maximum period of 3 years, with extension up to 6 years.

Rapid Visas offers complete Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2) guidance and support through the entire process so that obtaining a visa becomes smooth, quick and hassle-free.

Section 2: General Queries About Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2)

1. What are the Eligibility Criteria for a Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2)?

You are eligible for the Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2) for the UK if you:

  • Provide a valid certificate of sponsorship for the job from a recognised sporting team or club.
  • Letter of endorsement from a recognised governing body for your sport.
  • Prove your knowledge of the English language.
  • Have funds worth at least £945 in your personal savings account.
  • Prove that you are qualified for international travel, submitting your travel history for the last five years.
  • Show your tuberculosis results, if you belong to a TB listed country.

2. What Documents Will I Need for Applying for a Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2)?

When you apply for the Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2), the following documents need to be submitted:

  • The reference number for the certificate of sponsorship from your sponsor.
  • Letter of endorsement from the governing body of the sports you are involved in.
  • Proof for English language knowledge.
  • Your personal savings statement from a bank or any other recognised financial institution.
  • A current valid passport with blank pages for the visa to be stamped.
  • Old passports or other travel documents to show your travel history.
  • TB results, if you belong to a listed country.

If any of these documents are in another language, apart from English or Welsh, you need to provide a certified translation.

3. How Can I Apply for a Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2)?

If you are from outside the UK, you can apply for the Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2) by filling the application form online. As part of the visa application process, you will need to visit the nearest UK visa application centre, to get your photograph and fingerprints taken.

This is required for your biometric residence permit. Make sure to collect your biometric residence ID within ten days of arriving in the UK.

4. How Can I Extend the Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2)?

You can apply for a Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2) extension if you are already residing in the UK, under this visa. The eligibility requirements for an extension are the same as that for the visa itself. However, you have to submit a separate application and repeat the process all over again for an extension. Make sure to apply for an extension before your current visa expires. You have to include all your dependents, including children who might have turned 18 during your stay in the UK.

5. Can My Family Members Accompany Me When I’m Approved for the Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2)?

Yes, you can bring your dependants along with you to the UK, when you are approved for the Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2). Your dependents include your spouse/partner and children under the age of 18.

However, you have to prove that you have sufficient funds in your personal account to support your dependents during their stay in the UK. For each dependant, you need to show at least £630 in your bank account. This is apart from the £945 in your personal account that you need to support yourself.

Additionally, you will have to pay the healthcare surcharge for each dependent included in your application.

6. Can I Switch to Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2)? What are the Criteria?

According to the Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2) immigration rules, you can switch to this visa type if you are already in the UK under any one of the following visa categories:

  • Tier 1 visa
  • General visa Tier 2
  • Minister of Religion Visa (Tier 2)
  • Intra-company Transfer Visa (Tier 2)
  • Tier 4 visa, if you have spent at least 12 months working on a D., or if you have the required qualifications
  • Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting Tier 5 visa
  • If you are a dependent partner of an individual holding a Tier 4 visa
  • If you are a representative of an overseas business

You need to still meet the eligibility criteria for the Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2) before you can make the switch to this visa.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Additional FAQs” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_tta_accordion][vc_tta_section title=”1. How Long Will it Take to Get the Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2)? ” tab_id=”1″][vc_column_text]Generally, it takes around three weeks for a visa application to be processed. However, the actual time taken depends on several factors, such as the country you are applying from, your special requirements and more. You can start the visa application process three months before the date of your joining work in the UK as a sportsperson.

The process might seem cumbersome, especially for first-timers. The easiest course of action is to hire the services of an experienced visa services provider, like Rapid Visas, which boasts a 97{550504ab9c0cb0f84db7c39152d65be21b6403ad977c49457b63283386586382} success rate on visa applications.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”2. What are the Fees for the Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2)?” tab_id=”2″][vc_column_text]The Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2) fees depend on your particular situation, the country you are applying from and how you apply. Usually, the fee for applying online is £610, for each person.

You need to pay this fee separately for every person on your application, including yourself and all your dependents. Apart from this fee, you also have to bear the healthcare surcharges for yourself and your dependents.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”3. How Long Can I Stay in the UK with the Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2)?” tab_id=”3″][vc_column_text]The maximum period of stay in the UK under a Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2) is 3 years. However, you can extend your stay beyond this period by applying for an extension of your current visa. If granted, you can extend your stay in the UK for another 3 years to a maximum of 6 years.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”4. Can I Take Another Job in the UK with the Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2)?” tab_id=”4″][vc_column_text]If you are working for less than 20 hours in your primary job, you are qualified to take up a second job under the Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2). However, you need to fulfil certain criteria, such as:

  • The second job must be in the same profession as your first job
  • The job should be on the list of occupations that have a shortage

Apart from taking up a paid second job, you can also participate in unpaid, voluntary work.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”5. How Well Do I Need to Know English to Apply for a Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2)?” tab_id=”5″][vc_column_text]You need to meet the Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2) English language requirement to be eligible for the visa. You can prove your fluency in English by any one of the following methods:

  • Pass an approved English language test, with a score of at least A1 in listening and speaking.
  • Show documents that prove that you hold an academic qualification that was taught in English and recognised by the UK NARIC. This qualification should be equivalent to a bachelor’s, masters or D. degree.

However, citizens from a few countries are exempt from this English language requirements.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”6. Are There Any Funds Requirements for a Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2)?” tab_id=”6″][vc_column_text]You need to have funds worth at least £945 in your personal savings account, as qualifying investments for the Sportsperson Visa (Tier 2) in the UK. However, you are exempt from this if you have a certificate of sponsorship, from a fully-approved A-rated sponsor, who is willing to cover all your costs during your stay in the UK.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][/vc_row]