Sports people, sports staff, and officials who want to visit the UK to participate in a sporting event, competition, or related activity, a Sports visitor visa includes them.
Applicants may apply for a Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa or Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visa, if they are considered employed (paid or unpaid) for their visit or those who do not meet the sports visitor visa requirements.
Sports Visitor Visa Requirements
The applicants must be participating in a sporting event, competition, or related activity in the UK and they must be at least 18 years of age.
Sporting activities permitted under this category are:
- Attendance at a personal or promotional appearance;
- Enter an amateur sports team;
- Participating in a charity, exhibition or competitive sports event, tournament or series of events;
- Participating in a trial or short period of training, either as part of a sporting team or as an individual sportsman;
- Negotiating a contract or sponsorship deal.
To support their stay in the UK, the applicants are required to show that they have sufficient funds and their return or onward journey as well. Visitor visa is granted for a maximum 6 months.
Visitor visa applicants may also be required to fulfill certain character and health requirements.
Sports Visitor Visa Entitlements
Under Sports visitor visa the visa holder may participate in competition, sporting event, or related event in the UK. Under this category visa holders are expected to leave the UK at the end of their pre-stipulated duration of stay and visa is valid for up to 6 months. It might be possible to switch to a Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visa category of the points-based system, in some instances.
The visa holder, under this category does not entitle to indulge in any financially gainful activity in the UK. It implies that the visa holders may not involve in trading any goods to the public or receive payment for their appearance in the UK.
