For elite sportspeople and qualified coaches, endorsed by their sport’s governing body, coming to work in the United Kingdom at the highest level of their sport.
This route replaced the T2 Sportsperson visa and the sporting element of the T5 Creative and Sporting visa. It covers short engagements of up to 12 months and long-term contracts of up to 3 years at a time, with a path to permanent settlement.
Reviewed by the Morgan Smith Immigration team — IAA-regulated UK immigration specialists. Last reviewed 2026-07-06.
TL;DR
The International Sportsperson Visa lets elite sportspeople and qualified coaches endorsed by their sport’s governing body work in the UK for up to 3 years at a time, extendable, with a path to settlement after 5 years. The application fee is £340 for stays up to 12 months or £819 for longer stays applied for outside the UK, and you can bring your partner and children as dependants. It replaced the T2 Sportsperson visa and the sporting element of the T5 Creative and Sporting visa.
£340
Fee (Up to 12 Months)
3 Years
Maximum Stay Per Grant
3 Weeks
Typical Decision (Outside UK)
What is the International Sportsperson Visa?
The International Sportsperson Visa allows elite sportspeople and qualified coaches to work in the UK for a licensed sponsor — usually a club or sporting body — for up to 3 years at a time. It can be extended for a further 3 years at a time while you remain eligible.
Your sport’s governing body must endorse your application, confirming you are an elite sportsperson or qualified coach, you are internationally established, and your employment will develop your sport in the UK at the highest level. This route replaced the T2 Sportsperson visa and the sporting element of the T5 Creative and Sporting visa.
You will need a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), at least £1,270 in personal savings, and — for stays longer than 12 months — proof of English at CEFR level A1. After 5 years you may be able to settle permanently if at least one of your visas lasted longer than 12 months.
Eligibility Requirements
You must satisfy all three conditions to qualify for the International Sportsperson Visa.
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Governing Body Endorsement
Your sport’s governing body must endorse your application, confirming that you are an elite sportsperson or qualified coach, that you are internationally established, and that your employment will develop your sport in the UK at the highest level.
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Certificate of Sponsorship
You must hold a valid CoS reference number from your UK sponsor — your employer. The CoS must be used within 3 months of being assigned and can only be used once. Your job must also meet UK pay and working-hours rules.
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Finances & English
You must show at least £1,270 in personal savings held for 28 consecutive days, unless you have held a valid UK visa for 12+ months or your employer certifies maintenance up to £1,270. For stays over 12 months you must usually prove English at CEFR level A1 in speaking and listening.
What You Can and Cannot Do
Your rights and restrictions while in the UK on an International Sportsperson Visa.
✓ You Can
- Work for your sponsor in the job described in your Certificate of Sponsorship
- Take a second job of up to 20 hours a week in your profession, or on the Skilled Worker immigration salary list
- Play for your national team in the UK and work as a sports broadcaster
- Study, as long as it does not interfere with your sponsored job
- Bring your partner and children as dependants, and travel abroad and return
✗ You Cannot
- Access public funds (benefits, social housing, etc.)
- Start or run a business in the UK
- Apply for a second job before starting work for your main sponsor
- Stay beyond 3 years on a single grant — extensions require a renewed endorsement and new CoS
- Switch to this visa from inside the UK on a visit visa, short-term student visa, or seasonal worker visa
Costs & Fees
Current fees as of 2026. Set by the Home Office — subject to change.
Fees set by the Home Office and subject to change. Last reviewed: July 2026.
| Item | Cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Application fee — staying up to 12 months | £340 per person |
| Application fee — over 12 months, applying outside the UK | £819 per person |
| Application fee — over 12 months, extending or switching inside the UK | £943 per person |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | ~£1,035 per year of stay |
| Personal savings you must show | £1,270 (unless exempt — see eligibility) |
| Dependant savings requirement | £285 partner, £315 first child, £200 each additional child |
How to Apply
Five steps from endorsement to visa decision.
Secure Your Endorsement & Job Offer
Obtain an endorsement from your sport’s governing body and a confirmed offer from a UK sponsor licensed for the International Sportsperson route.
Obtain Your Certificate of Sponsorship
Your employer assigns you a CoS reference number. Use it within 3 months — it can only be used once.
Apply Online (Up to 3 Months Before)
Submit on gov.uk. Pay the application fee — £340 for stays up to 12 months, £819 for longer stays applied for outside the UK — plus the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Prove Your Identity & Provide Documents
Prove your identity with the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app, or give fingerprints and a photo at a visa application centre. Provide your CoS reference, endorsement letter, passport, proof of funds, English evidence for stays over 12 months, and a TB test result if you are from a listed country.
Receive Your Decision
Usually 3 weeks outside the UK or 8 weeks inside. Priority services available at extra cost.
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Sources
Legal information on this page is based on guidance from GOV.UK, the UK Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration, legislation.gov.uk, and Free Movement. Rules change frequently — speak to our team to confirm current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the International Sportsperson Visa from players, coaches, and clubs worldwide.
What is the International Sportsperson Visa UK?
The International Sportsperson Visa is a UK work visa for elite sportspeople and qualified coaches whose sport’s governing body endorses their application. It allows stays of up to 3 years at a time, is extendable, and can lead to settlement. It replaced the T2 Sportsperson visa and the sporting element of the T5 Creative and Sporting visa.
What replaced the Sportsperson (T2) visa?
The International Sportsperson Visa replaced both the Sportsperson (T2) visa and the sporting part of the Temporary Worker — Creative and Sporting visa (T5). Creative professionals from the old T5 route now use the separate Creative Worker Visa.
Who needs a governing body endorsement?
Every applicant. Your sport’s governing body must endorse your application, confirming you are an elite sportsperson or qualified coach, you are internationally established, and your employment will develop your sport in the UK at the highest level.
How much does the International Sportsperson Visa cost?
£340 per person for stays up to 12 months. For longer stays the fee is £819 applying outside the UK, or £943 to extend or switch inside the UK. You also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (usually £1,035 per year) and must show £1,270 in savings unless exempt.
Can I bring my family on an International Sportsperson Visa?
Yes. Your partner and children can apply as dependants if eligible. They must show £285 for a partner, £315 for the first child, and £200 for each additional child, held for 28 consecutive days. Their visas usually end on the same date as yours.
How long can I stay, and can I extend?
Your visa can last up to 3 years, and you can extend it for up to 3 years at a time while you remain eligible. Extensions require a renewed endorsement from your sport’s governing body and a new Certificate of Sponsorship.
Does the International Sportsperson Visa lead to settlement?
It can. After 5 years in the UK you may be able to settle permanently (Indefinite Leave to Remain) if you have had at least one visa on this route that lasted longer than 12 months.
Do I need to prove my English?
Usually only if you are applying to stay longer than 12 months. You can qualify with a degree taught in English, or by passing a Secure English Language Test at CEFR level A1 in speaking and listening. Nationals of certain majority-English-speaking countries are exempt.
Can I take a second job on an International Sportsperson Visa?
Yes, in certain circumstances: up to 20 hours a week in the same profession as your main job, or in a profession on the Skilled Worker immigration salary list. You need a certificate of sponsorship from the second employer, and you cannot apply until you have started work with your main sponsor. You can also play for your national team, work as a sports broadcaster, and do unpaid voluntary work.
How long does an International Sportsperson Visa decision take?
Usually within 3 weeks if you apply from outside the UK, or 8 weeks from inside the UK. You may be able to pay for a faster decision.
Need Help With Your International Sportsperson Visa?
Our immigration specialists handle everything from governing body endorsement to visa approval — for players, coaches, and the clubs that sign them.