International Sportsperson visa: Indian citizen in India → United Kingdom
Indian sportspeople and coaches with a certificate of sponsorship and an endorsement from their sport's governing body apply online for an International Sportsperson visa, prove their identity, and usually get a decision within 3 weeks.
Lets an elite sportsperson or qualified sports coach come to the UK to work if they meet the eligibility requirements, have a certificate of sponsorship, and their sport's governing body endorses the application.
- Validity
- Your visa can last for up to 3 years.
- Entries
- Multiple entry for the duration of your visa.
- Max stay per visit
- Up to 3 years; can be extended for up to 3 years at a time.
When to start
Start 30 days–2 months before your travel date.
Getting an appointment in India
- Delhi & Mumbai: usually 1–2 weeks for a slot; peak season can stretch towards 4 weeks.
- Tier-2 centres (Pune, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad) often have earlier slots — a train ticket can beat the wait.
- The New Delhi centre relocated in early 2026 — confirm the current address on the official VFS site before you go.
- Applicants report slots opening 7–21 days out in normal months — book the moment you pay your fee.
You must have a valid certificate of sponsorship for your job, which your licensed employer issues.
You can apply for an International Sportsperson visa if you meet the eligibility requirements and your sport's governing body endorses your application.
You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK.
You must apply online for an International Sportsperson visa. If you're staying up to 12 months, the fee is £340 per person.
As part of your application, you'll need to prove your identity — using the ID Check app or by giving biometrics at a visa application centre.
Once you've applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you'll usually get a decision within 3 weeks if you're outside the UK.
What you'll need
- Certificate of sponsorship reference number — Your certificate of sponsorship reference number (your employer will give you this). ✓ verified
- Letter of endorsement from your sport's governing body — A letter of endorsement from your sport's governing body. ✓ verified
- Valid passport — A valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality. ✓ verified
- Proof of personal savings — Evidence that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK, for example bank statements (unless your certificate of sponsorship shows your employer can support you). ✓ verified· your certificate of sponsorship does not show your employer can support you
- Proof of knowledge of English — Proof of your knowledge of English if you are applying to stay for longer than 12 months (unless you're exempt). ✓ verified· you are applying to stay for longer than 12 months and are not exempt
- Tuberculosis (TB) test results — Your tuberculosis test results if you're from a listed country (this includes India). ✓ verified· you're from a listed country
Where you'll apply
Apply online on gov.uk, then prove your identity — either using the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app or by giving biometrics at a UK visa application centre in India.
Fees
| International Sportsperson visa (staying up to 12 months) | GBP 340 |
Gotchas to watch
- Your sport's governing body must endorse your application before you can apply.
- You'll usually need to prove you can speak and understand English only if you're applying to stay for longer than 12 months.