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One of the Work Visas offered by the UK is the Sportsperson Visa. This particular type of visa is available to sporting coaches and elite sportspersons who are recognized in their respective sports.
You must several requirements to be eligible for this visa category. The most notable of these requirements pertain to your previous record in the sport and recognition from a major governing body of the sport.
Once you have a Sportsperson Visa, you can stay in the UK for up to 3 years. You can also travel abroad and return without any restrictions. This visa allows you to take on a second job as long as your primary focus is the job listed on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
You may also need to satisfy other criteria to be eligible for this visa. A Sportsperson Visa solicitor at the London-based Adam Bernard’s can help you with this. You can consult an experienced immigration lawyer at our law firm to identify the specific requirements you must fulfil.
You must meet several requirements before you can apply for the Sportsperson Visa. This is a Work Visa that falls under the points-based immigration system. Here are the requirements you must meet as a part of the visa application process:
Our Expertise Visa solicitors London can help you identify the specifics of each requirement listed above. With the help of an experienced immigration lawyer at Adam Bernard’s, you can satisfy these requirements to ensure that your visa application is complete.
The Home Office requires you to meet specific financial requirements to be eligible for this visa. As per these requirements:
The financial requirement aims to ensure that you will be able to finance your expenses for at least one month after arrival in the UK. This is based on the understanding that you will start receiving your salary at the end of the first month.
If you are not sure how to meet this requirement, a Sportsperson Visa solicitor at Adam Bernard’s can help you. You can get detailed advice and guidance from an experienced immigration lawyer to make sure you fulfil these financial requirements.
The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is issued by your UK employer. The employer must be a licensed sponsor authorised to invite overseas workers in the relevant area of work.
The CoS is a vital part of your visa application. You must make sure that the CoS you receive from your UK sponsor includes the right details. The CoS should include the following information:
You are required to score at least 70 points under the points-based immigration system to qualify for the Sportsperson Visa. The CoS earns you 50 of these points.
Once you are issued a CoS, you must file for the visa within three months. This is because a CoS is valid for three months from the date of issuance. If you apply for the visa more than three months after your CoS was issued, the Home Office will very likely turn down your application.
Here at Adam Bernard’s law firm, our Expertise Visa solicitors London can work with you to ensure that you have the right CoS for your visa application. An experienced immigration lawyer at our firm can also advise you on how to coordinate with your UK sponsor to receive your CoS on time.
You get to enjoy several rights and privileges once you are granted a Sportsperson Visa. The most notable among these is that you can study while you are in the UK on this visa. You can also take a second job in the UK granted you meet specific requirements.
The Sportsperson Visa allows you to travel abroad and return to the UK without any restrictions as long as the visa is valid. You can even play for your national team. However, you can do so only within the UK. The visa further allows you to take on a job as a sports broadcaster or perform voluntary work in the UK.
Like many other Work Visas, the Sportsperson Visa also allows you to apply for your dependents to join you in the UK.
You can apply for a Sportsperson Visa up to three months before the starting date listed on your CoS. It is highly recommended that you apply as early as possible. This allows you to respond to any requests from the Home Office without getting late with your visa.
Once you submit your visa application, you can expect a decision from the Home Office within 3 weeks if the application was submitted from outside the UK. If you submitted your application from inside the UK, the Home Office may take up to 8 weeks to reach a decision.
The visa fee for a Sportsperson Visa depends on the intended duration of your stay. If your visa duration is up to 12 months, you must pay a fee of £259. For a visa that extends beyond 12 months, the fee depends on where you are applying from.
If your application is submitted from inside the UK, a Sportsperson Visa with a duration of more than 12 months has a visa fee of £719. For applications submitted from outside the UK, the fee is £625.
The maximum duration of a Sportsperson Visa is 3 years. The actual duration depends on the job end date listed on your CoS. If you have stayed for the maximum duration of the visa, you can apply for an extension.
You must get a new CoS from your UK sponsor and have your endorsement renewed from your sport’s governing body before applying for the extension. The application for extension must also be submitted before your visa expires.
If you are granted an extension, you can stay in the UK for another 3 years. After five years of residence in the UK, you can apply for ILR.
Any dependents seeking to join you in the UK on your Sportsperson Visa must meet eligibility requirements. Your dependents include a spouse or partner, any children under the age of 18, as well as any children over 18 who are already in the UK and depend on you.
You will need to submit the relevant proof of relationship to substantiate the status of any dependent applying with you. If a spouse or partner is applying for a visa, such proof may be a marriage or partnership certificate. In the case of children, you may need to furnish a birth certificate confirming you as one of the parents.
Any dependents applying with you will also need to meet financial requirements. If a spouse or partner is applying with you, they must show that they have cash funds of at least £285.
If one child is applying with you, you must show the availability of at least £315 in cash funds. If multiple children are applying, you will need cash funds of at least £315 for the first child, and cash funds of at least £200 for each subsequent child.
If you want to apply for dependents to join you on your visa, our Expertise Visa solicitors London can help you.
With the help of a Sportsperson Visa solicitor at Adam Bernard’s, you can separately file visa applications for your dependents. An experienced immigration lawyer at our law firm will carefully guide you through the whole process to ensure you make no mistakes.
The London-based Adam Bernard’s law firm offers detailed help, advice, and guidance on UK visa cases. A Sportsperson Visa solicitor at our law firm can help you complete and submit your visa application for a Sportsperson Visa.
Our Expertise Visa solicitors London also advise you on expedited options you can explore to speed up the outcome of your visa application. With the guidance of an experienced immigration lawyer, you can ensure that your application does not miss any details and has all the supporting documentation.
Call us today at 0207 100 2525 to discuss your case with an experienced immigration lawyer at our law firm.
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