Immigration Rules Appendix International Sportsperson
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-11)

The International Sportsperson route is for an elite sportsperson or qualified sports coach who is internationally established and can make a significant contribution to the development of their sport at its highest level in the UK.

A person applying on this route must have a Governing Body Endorsement from an appropriate Sports Governing Body listed in Appendix Sports Governing Bodies. Applicants seeking permission for a period of more than 12 months will also be required to meet the English language requirement.

The partner and children of an International Sportsperson can apply on this route.

This is a route to settlement.

Validity requirements for an International Sportsperson

ISP 1.1. A person applying for entry clearance or permission to stay as an International Sportsperson must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form as follows:
- (a) any fee and Immigration Health Charge must have been paid; and
- (b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and
- (c) the applicant must have provided a passport or other travel document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and
- (d) the applicant must have a Certificate of Sponsorship that was issued to them by their sponsor no more than three months before the date of application.
ISP 1.3. The applicant must be aged 16 or over on the date of application.

ISP 1.4. If an applicant has, in the last 12 months before the date of application, received an award from a Government or international scholarship agency covering both fees and living costs for study in the UK, they must provide written consent from that Government or agency.

ISP 1.5. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must be in the UK on the date of application.
- (a) as a Visitor, except where the applicant has been in the UK undertaking the activities in paragraphs PA 15.1. to PA 15.3. of Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities, or paragraph V 13.3 (f) of Appendix V: Visitor; or
- (b) as a Short-term student; or
- (c) as a Parent of a Child Student; or
- (d) as a Seasonal Worker; or
- (e) as a Domestic Worker in a Private Household; or
- (f) outside the Immigration Rules.
- (a) Condition A: the applicant must have completed the course of study for which the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies was assigned (or a course to which ST 27.3 of Appendix Student applies); or
- (i) the applicant must be studying a full-time course of study at degree level or above with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
- (ii) the Certificate of Sponsorship in ISP 1.2(d) must have a start date no earlier than the course completion date; or
- (i) the applicant must be studying a full-time course of study leading to the award of a PhD with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
- (ii) the Certificate of Sponsorship in ISP 1.2(d) must have a start date no earlier than 24 months after the start date of that course.
ISP 1.6. An application which does not meet all the validity requirements for an International Sportsperson may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability requirements for an International Sportsperson

ISP 2.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part Suitability.
- (a) in breach of immigration laws, except that where the Exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
- (b) on immigration bail.
Eligibility requirements for an International Sportsperson

Entry requirements for an International Sportsperson

ISP 3.1. A person seeking to come to the UK as an International Sportsperson must apply for and obtain entry clearance as an International Sportsperson before their arrival in the UK.

ISP 3.2. A person applying for entry clearance as an International Sportsperson must, if Appendix Tuberculosis applies, provide a valid medical certificate confirming that they have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that this tuberculosis is not present in them.

Points requirements for an International Sportsperson

ISP 4.1. An applicant applying for entry clearance or permission to stay as an International Sportsperson for a period of 12 months or less must be awarded all 70 points in table A below.

ISP 4.2. An applicant applying for entry clearance or permission to stay as an International Sportsperson for a period exceeding 12 months must be awarded all 80 points in tables A and B below.

Endorsement requirement for an International Sportsperson
- (a) is elite; and
- (b) is internationally established; and
- (c) will make a significant contribution to the development of their sport at the highest level in the UK.
Certificate of sponsorship requirement for an International Sportsperson
- (a) confirm the applicant’s name, that they are being sponsored as an International Sportsperson, details of the job and salary the sponsor is offering them; and
- (b) must have been assigned before the applicant entered the UK if the application is for permission to stay and the applicant last had permission as a Visitor undertaking permitted activities for sportspersons; and
- (c) include a start date, stated by the sponsor, which must be no more than three months after the date of application; and
- (d) not have been used in a previous application which was either granted or refused (but can have been used in a previous application which was rejected as invalid, made void or withdrawn); and
- (e) not have been withdrawn by the sponsor or cancelled by the Home Office; and
- (f) state the unique endorsement number that has been issued to the applicant by the appropriate governing body specified in Appendix Sports Governing Bodies; and
- (g) confirm that the applicant intends to be based in the UK; and
- (h) confirm that the job is one the applicant is qualified to undertake.
ISP. 5.3. The sponsor must be authorised by the Home Office to sponsor the job in question under the International Sportsperson route.

ISP 5.4. The sponsor must be listed as A-rated on the Home Office’s register of licensed sponsors unless the applicant was last granted permission as an International Sportsperson and is applying to continue working for the same sponsor as in their last permission.

ISP 5.5. The decision maker must not have reasonable grounds to believe the job the applicant is being sponsored to do does not comply with the National Minimum Wage Regulations or the Working Time Regulations.

Genuineness requirement for an International Sportsperson
- (a) genuinely intend, and be able, to undertake the role for which they are being sponsored; and
- (b) not intend to undertake employment other than in the role for which they are being sponsored, or as otherwise permitted at ISP 11.3.
Financial requirement for an International Sportsperson

ISP 7.1. If the applicant is applying for permission to stay and has been living in the UK with permission for 12 months or longer on the date of application, they will meet the financial requirement and do not need to show funds.
- (a) the applicant must have funds of at least £1,270; or
- (b) the applicant’s A rated sponsor must confirm on the Certificate of Sponsorship that they will, if it is necessary, maintain and accommodate the applicant up to the end of the first month of their employment for an amount of at least £1,270.
ISP 7.3. If ISP 7.2 (a) applies, the applicant must have held the required level of funds for a 28 day period and must show funds as specified in Appendix Finance.

English language requirement for an International Sportsperson

ISP 8.1. Unless an exemption applies, if the applicant is applying for entry clearance or permission to stay as an International Sportsperson for a period exceeding 12 months, the applicant must show English language ability on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in speaking and listening of at least level A1.

ISP 8.2. If ISP 8.1. applies, the applicant must show they meet the English Language requirement as specified in Appendix English Language.

Parental consent requirement for an International Sportsperson aged under 18
- ISP 9.1. The applicant must meet the parental consent requirement for an applicant not applying as a dependent child in Appendix Children.
- ISP 9.2. DELETED.
Decision on an application as an International Sportsperson

ISP 10.1. If the decision maker is satisfied that all the suitability and eligibility requirements are met for an International Sportsperson, the application will be granted, otherwise the application will be refused.

ISP 10.2. If the application is refused the person can apply for an Administrative Review under Appendix AR: Administrative Review.

Period of grant for an International Sportsperson
- (a) up to 14 days after the period of employment stated on their Certificate of Sponsorship; or
- (b) 12 months.
- (a) up to 14 days after the period of employment stated on their Certificate of Sponsorship; or
- (b) three years.
Conditions of grant for an International Sportsperson
- (a) no access to public funds; and
- (b) work is permitted in the job the applicant is being sponsored for; and
- (c) supplementary employment is permitted; and
- (d) voluntary work is permitted; and
- (e) working out a contractual notice period is permitted, for a job the applicant was lawfully working in on the date of application; and
- (f) employment as a sportsperson for the applicant’s national team while their national team is in the UK, playing in British University and College Sport (BUCS) competitions, and temporary engagements as a sports broadcaster providing guest expert commentary on a particular sporting event, are permitted; and
- (g) study is permitted, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS.
- (h) DELETED.
Settlement as an International Sportsperson

Validity requirements for settlement as an International Sportsperson

ISP 12.1. A person applying for settlement as an International Sportsperson must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form, “Settle in the UK in various immigration categories: form SET(O)”.
- (a) any fee must have been paid; and
- (b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and
- (c) the applicant must have provided a passport or other travel document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and
- (d) the applicant must be in the UK on the date of application.
- (a) have, or have last been granted, permission as an International Sportsperson; and
- (b) have, at any point during the five year continuous residence period, been granted leave as an International Sportsperson for a period exceeding 12 months.
ISP 12.4. An application which does not meet all the validity requirements for settlement as an International Sportsperson may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability requirements for settlement as an International Sportsperson

ISP 13.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part Suitability.
- (a) in breach of immigration laws, except that where the Exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
- (b) on immigration bail.
Eligibility requirements for settlement as an International Sportsperson

Qualifying period requirement for settlement as an International Sportsperson

ISP 14.1. The applicant must have spent a continuous period of five years in the UK.
- (a) Skilled Worker; or
- (b) Global talent; or
- (c) Innovator Founder; or
- (d) T2 Minister of Religion; or
- (e) International Sportsperson; or
- (f) Representative of an Overseas Business; or
- (g) Tier 1, other than Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur); or
- (h) Scale-up; or
- (i) was for permission to stay; and
- (ii) was made between 24 January 2020 and 30 June 2021 (inclusive); and
- (iii) was supported on the date of application by a certificate of sponsorship assigned by a licensed sponsor; and
- (iv) was granted.
Continuous residence requirement for settlement as an International Sportsperson

ISP 15.1. The applicant must meet the continuous residence requirement as set out in Appendix Continuous Residence during the period in ISP 14.1.

English language requirement for settlement as an International Sportsperson

ISP 16.1. Unless an exemption applies, the applicant must show English language ability on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in speaking and listening to at least level B1.

ISP 16.2. If ISP 16.1. applies, the applicant must show they meet the English language requirement as specified in Appendix English Language.

Knowledge of Life in the UK requirement for settlement as an International Sportsperson

ISP 17.1. Unless an exemption applies, the applicant must meet the Knowledge of Life in the UK requirement as set out in Appendix KOL UK.

Sponsorship requirement for settlement as an International Sportsperson

ISP 18.1. The sponsor in the applicant’s most recent permission must still be approved by the Home Office to sponsor International Sportspersons on the date of decision.

ISP 18.2. The sponsor must confirm that they still require the applicant to work for them for the foreseeable future, and that the applicant is paid, and will be paid for the foreseeable future, at least the salary of £35,800 per year.
- (i) be basic pay (excluding overtime); and
- (ii) only include allowances where they are part of the guaranteed salary package and would be paid to a local settled worker in similar circumstances; and
- (iii) not include other allowances and benefits, such as bonus or incentive pay, employer pension contributions, travel and subsistence (including travel to and from the applicant’s home country); and
- (iv) not include the value of any shares the applicant has received as an employee- owner in exchange for some of their UK employment rights; and
- (b) if the applicant is being sponsored to work more than 48 hours a week, only the salary for the first 48 hours a week will be considered towards the salary threshold of £35,800; and
- (c) if the applicant is currently absent from work for one of the reasons set out in Part Suitability, paragraph SUI 36.1. or has returned from such an absence within the month before the date of application, consideration will be based on their salary on their return to work, as stated by their sponsor.
Decision on an application for settlement as an International Sportsperson

ISP 19.1. If the decision maker is satisfied all the suitability and eligibility requirements for settlement as an International Sportsperson are met, the applicant will be granted settlement, otherwise the application will be refused.

ISP 19.2. If the application is refused, the person can apply for an Administrative Review under Appendix AR: Administrative Review.

Dependants of an International Sportsperson

Validity requirements for a dependent partner or dependent child of an International Sportsperson

ISP 20.1. A person applying for entry clearance or permission to stay as a dependent partner or dependent child of an International Sportsperson must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form as follows:
- (a) any fee and Immigration Health Charge must have been paid; and
- (b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and
- (c) the applicant must have provided a passport or other travel document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and
- (i) has made a valid application for entry clearance or permission to stay on the International Sportsperson route that has not been decided; or
- (ii) has entry clearance or permission to stay on the International Sportsperson route; or
- (iii) is settled or has become a British citizen, providing that P had permission on the International Sportsperson route when they settled and the applicant either had permission as their partner or child at that time, or the applicant is applying as a child of P and the applicant was born in the UK before P settled.
ISP 20.3. An applicant applying as a dependent partner must be aged 18 or over on the date of application.

ISP 20.4. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must be in the UK on the date of application.
- (a) as a Visitor; or
- (b) as a Short-term Student; or
- (c) as a Parent of a Child Student; or
- (d) as a Seasonal Worker; or
- (e) as a Domestic Worker in a Private Household; or
- (f) outside the Immigration Rules.
- (a) Condition A: the applicant must have completed the course of study for which the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies was assigned (or a course to which ST 27.3 of Appendix Student applies); or
- (i) be studying a full-time course of study leading to the award of a PhD with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
- (ii) have completed at least 24 months of study on that course.
ISP 20.5. An application which does not meet all the validity requirements for a partner or child of an International Sportsperson may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability requirements for a dependent partner or dependent child of an International Sportsperson

ISP 21.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part Suitability.
- (a) in breach of immigration laws, except that where the Exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
- (b) on immigration bail.
Eligibility requirements for a dependent partner or dependent child of an International Sportsperson

Entry requirement for a dependent partner or dependent child of an International Sportsperson

ISP 22.1. A person seeking to come to the UK as a dependent partner or dependent child of an International Sportsperson must apply for and obtain entry clearance as a dependent partner or dependent child of an International Sportsperson before they arrive in the UK.

ISP 22.2. A person applying for entry clearance as the partner or child of an International Sportsperson must, if Appendix Tuberculosis applies, provide a valid medical certificate confirming that they have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that this tuberculosis is not present in them.

Relationship requirement for a dependent partner of an International Sportsperson
- (a) P has permission on the International Sportsperson route; or
- (b) P is, at the same time, applying for (and is granted) entry clearance or permission on the International Sportsperson route; or
- (c) P is settled or has become a British citizen, providing P had permission on the International Sportsperson route when they settled and the applicant had permission as P’s partner at that time.
ISP 23.2. The requirements of Appendix Relationship with Partner must be met.

ISP 23.3. DELETED.

ISP 23.4. DELETED.

Relationship requirement for a dependent child of an International Sportsperson
- ISP 24.1. DELETED.
- ISP 24.2. DELETED.
ISP 24.3. DELETED.

Care requirement for a dependent child of an International Sportsperson

ISP 25.1. DELETED.

Age requirement for a dependent child of an International Sportsperson

ISP 26.1. DELETED.

ISP 26.2. DELETED.

Requirements for a dependent child of an International Sportsperson
- (a) relationship requirement: entry clearance and permission to stay; and
- (b) care requirement; and
- (c) age and independent life requirement.
Financial requirement for a dependent partner or dependent child of an International Sportsperson

ISP 27.1. If the applicant is applying for permission to stay and has been living in the UK with permission for 12 months or longer on the date of application, they will meet the financial requirement and do not need to show funds.
- i) the applicant; and
- ii) the International Sportsperson (P); and
- iii) if the applicant is applying as a dependent child, their parent who is lawfully present in the UK or being granted entry clearance, or permission to stay, at the same time; or
- (b) the International Sportsperson’s A-rated sponsor must certify that they will, if necessary, maintain and accommodate the dependent partner and/or any dependent child as well as the International Sportsperson, up to the end of the first month of each of their grants of permission, to at least the amounts required in ISP 27.3.
- (a) £285 for a dependent partner in the UK, or applying for entry clearance; and
- (b) £315 for the first dependent child in the UK, or applying for entry clearance; and
- (c) £200 for any other dependent child in the UK, or applying for entry clearance.
ISP 27.4. If ISP 27.2.(a) applies, the funds held for the applicant must be held in addition to any funds required for the International Sportsperson to meet the financial requirement and any other dependants in the UK or applying at the same time.

ISP 27.5. If ISP 27.2.(a) applies, the funds must have been held for a 28-day period and as specified in Appendix Finance.

Decision on an application as a dependent partner or dependent child of an International Sportsperson

ISP 28.1. If the decision maker is satisfied that all the suitability and eligibility requirements for a dependent partner or dependent child of an International Sportsperson are met, the application will be granted, otherwise the application will be refused.

ISP 28.2. If the application is refused, the person can apply for an Administrative Review under Appendix AR: Administrative Review.

Period of grant for a dependent partner or dependent child of an International Sportsperson
- (a) permission which ends on the same date as their partner’s permission as an International Sportsperson; or
- (b) three years’ permission if the International Sportsperson was (or is being) granted settlement as an International Sportsperson.
ISP 29.2. A child will be granted permission which ends on the same date as whichever of their parents’ permission ends first, unless both parents have (or are being granted) settlement or British citizenship, in which case the child will be granted permission for three years.

Conditions of grant for a dependent partner and dependent child of an International Sportsperson
- (a) no access to public funds; and
- (b) work (including self-employment and voluntary work) is permitted, except as a professional sportsperson (including as a sports coach); and
- (c) study is permitted, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS if the applicant is over the age of 18.
- (d) DELETED.
Settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child of an International Sportsperson

Validity requirements for settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child of International Sportsperson

ISP 30.1. A person applying for settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child of an International Sportsperson must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form, “Settle in the UK in various immigration categories: form SET(O)”.
- (a) any fee must have been paid; and
- (b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and
- (c) the applicant must have provided either a passport or other travel document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and
- (d) the applicant must be in the UK on the date of application; and
- (i) has made a valid application for settlement in the UK as an International Sportsperson and that application has not been decided; or
- (ii) is settled or has become a British citizen, providing they had permission as an International Sportsperson when they settled and the applicant either had permission as their partner or child at that time or is applying as a child of P and was born in the UK before P settled.
ISP 30.3. An application which does not meet the validity requirements for settlement as a partner or child of an International Sportsperson may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability requirements for settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child of an International Sportsperson

ISP 31.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part Suitability.
- (a) in breach of immigration laws, except that where the Exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
- (b) on immigration bail.
Eligibility requirements for settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child of an International Sportsperson

Relationship requirement for settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child of an International Sportsperson
- (a) P is, at the same time, being granted settlement as an International Sportsperson; or
- (i) had permission as P’s partner or child at that time; or
- (ii) is applying as a child of P, and was born in the UK before P settled.
- (a) have last been granted permission as a dependent partner or dependent child of the person (P) in ISP 32.1; or
- (b) have been born in the UK and be applying as a child of the person (P) in ISP 32.1.
- ISP 32.3. If applying as a child, the applicant must meet the relationship requirement for settlement in Appendix Children.
ISP 32.4. If applying as a partner, the requirements of Appendix Relationship with Partner must be met.

Care requirement for settlement as a dependent child of an International Sportsperson

ISP 33.1. DELETED.

Age requirement for settlement as a dependent child of an International Sportsperson

ISP 34.1. DELETED.

ISP 34.2. DELETED.

Requirements for settlement as a dependent child of an International Sportsperson
- (a) care requirement; and
- (b) age and independent life requirement.
Qualifying period requirement for settlement as a dependent partner of an International Sportsperson

ISP 35.1. The applicant must have spent a continuous period of five years in the UK with permission as a dependent partner of the person (P) in ISP 32.1.

Continuous residence requirement for settlement as a dependent partner of an International Sportsperson

ISP 36.1. The applicant must meet the continuous residence requirement as set out in Appendix Continuous Residence during the period in ISP 35.1.

English language requirement for settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child of an International Sportsperson

ISP 37.1. Unless an exemption applies, the applicant must show English language ability on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in speaking and listening to at least level B1.

ISP 37.2. The applicant must show they meet the English language requirement as specified in Appendix English Language.

Knowledge of Life in the UK requirement for settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child of an International Sportsperson

ISP 38.1. Unless an exemption applies, the applicant must meet the Knowledge of Life in the UK requirement as set out in Appendix KOL UK.

Decision on an application for settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child of an International Sportsperson

ISP 39.1. If the decision maker is satisfied all the suitability and eligibility requirements are met for settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child of an International Sportsperson, the application will be granted, otherwise the application will be refused.

ISP 39.2. If the application is refused the person can apply for an Administrative Review under Appendix AR: Administrative Review.