Sports Visitor Visa

A Sports visitor visa is for sports people, support staff, and officials who want to visit the UK to participate in a sporting event, competition, or related activity.

If the applicants are considered employed (paid or unpaid) for their visit or those who do not meet the sports visitor visa requirements, they may apply for a Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa or Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visa.

Sports Visitor Visa Requirements
The applicants must be at least 18 years of age and they must be participating in a sporting event, competition, or related activity in the UK.

Sporting activities permitted under this category are:

• Participating in a charity, exhibition or competitive sports event, tournament or series of events;
• Enter an amateur sports team;
• Attendance at a personal or promotional noneance;
• Negotiating a contract or sponsorship deal;
• Participating in a trial or short period of training, either as part of a sporting team or as an individual sportsman.

Sportspeople, their officials, and support staff visiting the UK, are not allowed to be paid or sell goods or services to members of the public.

Visitor visa is granted for a maximum 6 months. The applicants are required to show that they have sufficient funds to support their stay in the UK and their return or onward journey.

Visitor visa applicants may also be required to fulfill certain health and character requirements.

Sports Visitor Visa Entitlements
A Sports visitor visa entitles the holder to participate in sporting event, competition, or related event in the UK. This category of visa is valid for up to 6 months and visa holders are expected to leave the UK at the end of their pre-stipulated duration of stay. In some instances, it might be possible to switch to a Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visa category of the points-based system.

A visitor visa does not entitle the holder to indulge in any financially gainful activity in the UK. It implies that the visa holders may not receive payment for their noneance in the UK or involve in trading any goods to the public