Sponsor Licence for Sports Clubs and Gyms: What You Need to Know

If your sports club or gym wants to hire elite international athletes or qualified sports coaches, the International Sportsperson visa is the route for you. This visa allows recognised sports professionals to work in the UK, but to sponsor them, your club or gym must have a valid sponsor licence.

Here’s a quick guide from Emigral Team to help you understand the process and get the licence.

Step 1: Understand the Requirements Before Applying

Before you start the application, it is important to understand the International Sportsperson visa route. The key requirement is an endorsement from your sport's governing body. This endorsement confirms that the individual is internationally established and will make a significant contribution to the sport in the UK.

Step 2: Securing an Endorsement

Before applying for a sponsor licence, you will need to secure an endorsement from the governing body for your sport. Each sport has its own specific criteria, so it's essential to check the guidelines carefully. You can see a list of Home Office-approved sports governing bodies: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-sports-governing-bodies. 

What if your sport doesn’t have a governing body?

For smaller or niche sports, you might face a challenge if there is no governing body recognised by the Home Office. In these cases, do not worry—there’s a process to follow:

1. Contact the Points Based System and Economic Migration Policy team. They will help find a suitable body to endorse your application.
2. The Home Office will work with relevant sports councils, such as Sport England, Sport Wales, sportscotland, or Sport Northern Ireland, to identify a governing body.
3. If needed, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport or the Sport and Recreation Alliance (SRA) may get involved to assist in identifying a governing body.

Once a governing body is recognised, you can apply to them for an endorsement before proceeding with your sponsor licence application.

Challenge Alert: If your sport is less well-known, securing an endorsement may take extra time. Some governing bodies might not be familiar with the process, leading to delays. It’s crucial to plan ahead and account for potential hurdles. 

Step 3: Apply for the Sponsor Licence

Once you have secured the endorsement, the next step is applying for your sponsor licence. During the application process, keep the following in mind:

• If your club or gym works with children, it is a good idea to obtain a licence that covers child welfare, even if it is not strictly mandatory. It shows that your organisation takes child safety seriously.
• You will need membership with your sport’s governing body, which you would have already started while securing the endorsement.

Step 4: Get the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once your sports club or gym has obtained a sponsor licence, the next crucial step is securing a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for the sportsperson or coach you wish to hire. This certificate is an electronic document that confirms the job offer and allows the individual to apply for their visa under the International Sportsperson route.

The CoS must include the following details:

• The role they will perform as a sportsperson or coach.
• The salary and terms of employment.
• The endorsement by the relevant sport’s governing body.

Step 5: Visa Application

With the Certificate of Sponsorship in hand, the next step is for the sportsperson or coach to apply for their International Sportsperson visa. This visa will allow them to legally reside and work in the UK under your sponsorship.

Need more help? Contact Emigral team for an expert advice on sponsor licence applications.