International Sportsperson visa
Apply from outside the UK
You must apply online for an International Sportsperson visa.
Check which documents you’ll need to apply.
Your partner or children will need to apply separately.
Proving your identity and providing supporting documents
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.
You’ll either:
- have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre - this is to get a biometric residence permit
- use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.
If you do need an appointment:
- the centre may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application
- you may have to travel to get to your nearest visa application centre (this could be in another country)
If you’ve applied through a visa application centre, find out if you can pay to get a faster decision - this depends on where you’re applying from.
Apply for an International Sportsperson visa
Once you’ve started your application you can save your form and complete it later.
Continue your application
You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it.
Find out how to sign in to your account.
How long it takes to get a decision
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.
After you apply
You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if the application has not been processed yet.
You’ll get an email containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.