Can dependants join me on this route?

Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.

If your partner or child’s application is successful, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours. If a child’s parents have visas with different expiry dates, the child’s visa will end on the earlier date.

If you extend or switch your visa, your partner or child’s current visa will still be valid until its original end date. Your partner or child need to apply to extend or switch their visa, either:

• at the same time as you
• at any time before their current visa expires

This includes children who have turned 18 during your stay.

Your partner or children cannot apply to switch to your visa as your dependants if they are currently in the UK:

• on a visit visa
• on a short-term student visa
• on a Parent of a Child Student visa
• on a seasonal worker visa
• on a domestic worker in a private household visa
• on immigration bail
• because they were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds

If your partner or child is currently in the UK on a Student visa, they can only switch if they have either:

• completed the course they were sponsored to study
• studied for a PhD for at least 24 months

How much does it cost?

• If you’re staying up to 12 months, the fee is £298 per person.
• If you’re staying for longer than 12 months, the fee depends on whether you’re:
  • applying outside the UK – £719 per person
  • applying inside the UK to extend or switch – £827 per person
• You must also pay the immigration health surcharge of £1,035.00 per annum for applicants 18 years of age and over, and £776.00 per annum for children under the age of 18.

How long does it take?

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:

• 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
• 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK

If you need to go to an appointment, you may be able to pay for a faster decision. How you do this depends on whether you’re outside the UK or inside the UK.

When should I apply?

You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start volunteering in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

What you can and cannot do:

You can:

• work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship
• do a second job in certain circumstances
• play for your national team in the UK
• work as a sports broadcaster
• do voluntary work
• study as long as it does not interfere with the job you’re sponsored for
• travel abroad and return to the UK
• bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
• settle in the UK permanently, if you have spent a continuous period of 5 years in the UK. The 5-year continuous period must consist of time with permission on any of, or any combination of, the following routes:
  • Skilled Worker; or
  • Global talent; or
  • Innovator Founder; or
  • T2 Minister of Religion; or
  • International Sportsperson; or
  • Representative of an Overseas Business; or
  • as a Tier 1 Migrant, other than as a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) Migrant; or
  • Scale-up; or
  • permission on any other route, during the time the you were waiting for a decision on your application as an International Sportsperson, providing that application:
    • was for permission to stay; and
    • was made between 24 January 2020 and 30 June 2021 (inclusive); and
    • (was supported on the date of application by a certificate of sponsorship assigned by a licensed sponsor; and
    • was granted.

You cannot:

• get public funds
• start or run a business
• apply for a second job until you’ve started working for your sponsor

If you require assistance with applying for the International Sportsperson Visa, please contact us for a quote.