Sportsperson Work Permits & Visas

If you have a genuine invitation to participate in an organised sporting event, you are eligible to enter the UK for a period of up to 6 months as a sportsperson. Although you would not require a work permit, there are specific sporting activities that you would not be permitted to participate in. If you would like to enter the UK for a holiday that involves a recreational sport then you are allowed to come as a visitor. You should enter as a business visitor if you want to participate in the following:

Take part in trials although you should not be paid for this;
Negotiate contracts or discuss sponsorship;
Make personal appearances or promotions.
- If you are a professional or amateur sportsperson, you can participate in any event, series, or tournament as an individual competitor or as a team member.
- If you are a professional or amateur sportsperson, you are allowed to participate in a one off charity sporting event, testimonial, benefit or exhibition match but you must nor receive payment for it
- If you are an amateur sportsperson, you are allowed to join a UK club that is predominantly amateur meaning with only one or two professional players. You are permitted to accept board, lodging and reasonable expenses but you are not allowed to be paid for it.
- If you are a groom, you are allowed to accompany a horse in a competitive event or series of events
- If you are a personal coach, you are allowed to accompany a sportsperson for a event or a series of events. You are also permitted to come to officiate for an event or a series of events.

Who needs a work permit

In order to come to the United Kingdom for any other kinds of sporting activities you will be required to obtain a work permit. You will require a work permit in the following circumstances:

If you intend to base yourself in the United Kingdom for a whole sporting season
If you intend to join or represent a British team and receive pay,
If you intend to coach (unless you are a personal coach with a sportsperson for a specific event)
If you intend on staying for more than 6 months

If you are a visa national it is necessary for you to apply for a visa before you travel to the UK. As a sportsperson, you are entitled to stay in the UK for a maximum period of 6 months.

In order to apply for entry as a sportsperson you will be required to provide proof of the following:

A genuine invitation from the UK events organiser
Proof that you are able to support yourself in the UK without relying on public funds or working
Proof that you have the means to pay for your journey out of the United Kingdom Work permits for sports people

This applies to people who are internationally established at the highest level in their sport and whose employment will make a significant contribution to the development of that sport in the UK. It is also important that coaches be suitably qualified at the highest level.