Switching Into International Sportsperson Visa
You can apply to change (‘switch’) from another visa to an International (Sportsperson) visa from inside the UK.You should apply for switching into International Sportsperson visa before your current visa expires.
The International (Sportsperson) category is for elite sportspeople and coaches who are internationally established at the highest level, and will make a significant contribution to the development of their sport. Your application will need to be endorsed by your sport’s governing body. As a result of successful application for switching into International Sportsperson visa, you will be granted leave to remain for up to 3 years. You can apply to extend this visa for up to another 3 years to a maximum stay of 6 years. an International Sportsperson can apply for ILR upon completion of 5 years in the UK with International Sportsperson visa.
Who Can Switch Into International Sportsperson Visa?
You can apply for switching into International Sportsperson visa from inside the UK if you are already be in the UK under any of the following visas or schemes:
- Tier 1 visa
- International (General) visa
- International (Minister of Religion) visa
- International (Intra-company Transfer) visa under the Immigration Rules in place before 6 April 2010 and you’re applying to change sponsor
- Tier 4 visa – if you have an eligible qualification or you’ve done at least 12 months of a PhD
- Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting) for a job as a professional footballer
- Start-up visa
- Innovator visa
- dependent partner of someone with a Tier 4 visa
- representative of an overseas business
Eligibility Requirements For Switching Into International Sportsperson Visa
You can apply for switching into International (Sportsperson) visa if you meet the following eligibility requirements:
- You must be in the UK on visa category from which switching into International Sportsperson visa is allowed by the Immigration Rules;
- You have a valid certificate of sponsorship for your job
- You can prove your knowledge of English
- You have personal savings so you can support yourself
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) For International Sportsperson Visa
Your sponsor is the governing body endorsing your application. They’ll assign you a certificate of sponsorship to prove they’re sponsoring you. In order for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to be issued, your sponsor will need to have obtained an endorsement for you from your sport’s governing body for your sport. The endorsement will confirm that:
- you are internationally established as a player or coach at the highest level, and
- you will make a significant contribution to the development of your sport at the highest level in the UK; and
- you intend to be based in the UK for the duration of your permission to stay; and
- your post could not be filled by a suitable settled worker.
You must provide the letter issued by the governing body containing the endorsement as part of your application for your application for switching into International Sportsperson visa. A list of all approved governing bodies is available on Home Office UKVI website.
What Is The Points Based Criteria For Switching Into International Sportsperson Visa?
International Sportsperson visa is a Points Based visa category and points can be awarded for the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), English language and funds for maintenance. an International Sportsperson should score 70 points in total to qualify for switching into International Sportsperson visa. The breakdown of the required points for International Sportsperson visa switching application is given in the table below:
| Criterion | Points |
| Assigned a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | 50 |
| Funds for maintenance | 10 |
| English language | 10 |
| Total Points | 70 |
Super Priority Service (Decision Within 24 Hours) For Switching Into International Sportsperson Visa
As the expert immigration solicitors based in London, we are registered with the Home Office, UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) and its commercial partners UKVCAS Sopra Steria to provide Super Priority Service (SPS) for your application whereby decision on your application will be made by the Home Office UKVI within 24 hours of the enrolment of biometrics at a designated service centre.
Our immigration solicitors can prepare and submit your application to the Home Office, UKVI through Super Priority Service (SPS) and get decision on your immigration application within 24 hours. This way, you will not have to wait for the decision on your application for months (sometimes years).
How Can We Help For Switching Into International Sportsperson Visa?
Our specialist team of International Sportsperson visa solicitors can provide fast, friendly, reliable and fixed fee legal services for your application for switching into International Sportsperson visa from inside the UK. As your appointed legal representatives for International Sportsperson visa application from inside the UK, our work can include the following:
- assessing your eligibility for switching into International Sportsperson visa from inside the UK by considering all the relevant eligibility requirements;
- advising on relevant documents to be submitted in support of the application;
- assessing the documentary evidence including the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to ensure that the documents are in line with the Home Office UKVI requirements for switching into International Sportsperson visa from inside the UK;
- completing online application form for switching into International Sportsperson visa from inside the UK;
- preparing a detailed cover letter in support of your application to explain in detail how all the relevant requirements for switching into International Sportsperson visa have been satisfied by the International applicant;
- submitting the International Sportsperson application online, paying the Home Office UKVI fees for International Sportsperson visa application and booking applicant’s appointment with the UKVCAS application centre;
- uploading all the supporting documents online in support of the International Sportsperson application;
- doing all the follow up work including responding to any queries raised by the Home Office UKVI until decision is reached on your International Sportsperson application.
Our Fixed Fees For Switching Into International Sportsperson Visa
Our fixed fees for switching into International Sportsperson visa from inside the UK are as given in the fee table below:
| Our Service | Our Fixed Fees Range |
| Full service for switching into International Sportsperson visa from inside the UK to cover all the work until decision by the Home Office, UKVI | From £2,000 + VAT To £3,500 + VAT |
The agreed fixed fee will depend on the complexity of the application for switching into International Sportsperson visa and the volume of casework involved in the application. In addition to our fixed fee for switching into International Sportsperson visa from inside the UK, the applicant also has to pay the Home office UKVI fees for the application.
