This guidance is to be used for all International Sportsperson governing body endorsement requests made on or after 13 January 2024. Please note that all guidance is subject to change, and should not be used in place of government immigration laws or guidance.

Section 1: Overview of governing body endorsements for the International Sportsperson route of the points-based system

This section provides a brief explanation of what endorsement requirements apply in respect of the International Sportsperson route of the points-based system.

The International Sportsperson route is for elite sportspeople and coaches who:

  • are internationally established and whose employment will make a significant contribution to the development of their sport at the highest level in the UK
  • who will base themselves in the UK
  • will be filling a post that cannot be filled by a suitable British citizen or person who has a right to enter or stay in the UK without restriction.

The application process explained: Migrants applying to come to the UK under the International Sportsperson route need to be sponsored by an organisation that has an International Sportsperson sponsor licence.

If you wish to sponsor such migrants, you must have a sponsor licence. Before you apply to the Home Office for a licence you must be endorsed by the approved governing body for your sport. This endorsement confirms to the Home Office that the application for a licence is from a genuine sports club (or equivalent) that has a legitimate requirement to bring migrants to the UK as sportspeople. Once licensed, you can assign certificates of sponsorship to a sportsperson or coach with a job offer that allows them to apply for entry clearance or permission to stay in the UK. Each individual must also have a personal endorsement from the approved governing body for their sport before you assign the certificate of sponsorship.

An approved governing body is one specified in Appendix SGB of the Immigration Rules. Such a governing body must be recognised by one of the home country sports councils such as Sport England, and will have been approved by the Home Office before being included in Appendix SGB of the Immigration Rules.

Approved governing bodies will work within the Home Office’s ‘Code of Practice for sports governing bodies’ and must comply with any immigration regulations, UK legislation and the principles of the points-based system as detailed on the GOV.UK website.

Length of endorsement

Governing body endorsements should be issued for a period appropriate to the period approved for sponsorship, that is:

Type of application Length of endorsement
Sponsor

4 years from date of issue.
Migrant For an initial maximum period of 3 years, with a further extension of a maximum period of 3 years. If the contract is for fewer than 3 years, it will be issued for the length of the contract.

Change of employment

If a migrant intends to change employer, their new employer must request a new governing body endorsement. The endorsement can be issued for the length of the contract or to the maximum period permitted within the route, whichever is shorter. The new employer must assign a new certificate of sponsorship to the migrant to allow them to apply to the Home Office for new permission to stay. Permission to stay must be granted before the migrant can start work with the new employer.

Salary

The salary should be agreed as part of the contract between the migrant and the sponsor. This and the other conditions of employment should be at least equal to those normally given to a resident worker for the type of work undertaken.

Supplementary employment

International sportsperson migrants are eligible to undertake supplementary employment under the Home Office supplementary employment regulations.  The ‘Supplementary employment’ section Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors - Sponsor an International Sportsperson guidance 

Change of employment

If a migrant is intending to change employer, their new employer must request a new governing body endorsement. The endorsement can be issued for the length of the contract or to the maximum period permitted within the route, whichever is the shorter. The new employer must assign a new certificate of sponsorship to the migrant to allow them to apply to the Home Office for new permission to stay. Permission to stay must be granted before the migrant can start work with the new employer.

Salary

The salary should be agreed as part of the contract between the migrant and the sponsor. This and the other conditions of employment should be at least equal to those normally given to a resident worker for the type of work undertaken.

Supplementary employment

International Sportsperson migrants are eligible to undertake supplementary employment under the Home Office supplementary employment regulations. The ‘Supplementary employment section Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors - Sponsor an International Sportsperson guidance has more information on this.

Compliance with the Code of Practice for Sports Governing Bodies

In reviewing these criteria, BaseballSoftballUK confirms we have reread the Code and agree to our roles and responsibilities as set out within. We confirm we have acted in full compliance with the principles of the Code during this annual review.

Section 2: Requirements

This section explains BaseballSoftballUK (BSUK)'s requirements under the International Sportsperson route.  The requirements are effective from 13 January 2024.

Only the roles listed as part of this criteria are eligible for endorsement.

These requirements apply to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Consultation

The following requirements have been agreed by the Home Office following consultation with BaseballSoftballUK (BSUK) along with the British Baseball Federation (BBF) and British Softball Federation (BSF).

Prior to contacting the Home Office during the annual review of these criteria, BSUK confirm that full consultation has been carried out, this includes any organisation that could be interpreted as an interested party, such as clubs, bodies, or player associations related to baseball / softball in the UK.

Review

The requirements will be reviewed annually. The next review will be in October 2024.

Length of season

The season for baseball and softball runs throughout the year.

Requirements

The table below shows the endorsement requirements for sponsors and migrants.

Category   Requirement

Sponsor

International Sportsperson

  

Governing body endorsements will only be accepted from:

  • BSUK
  • British Baseball Federation (BBF)
  • British Softball Federation (BSF)

 

Migrant

 

 Coach

Governing body endorsements for an individual will be issued if they meet the following criteria:

  • Applicants must hold a coaching qualification at, or equivalent to BSUK level 3, BSUK will carry out an assessment to determine this
  • BSUK must be provided with written details of the terms and conditions of employment of the proposed post and evidence that such terms are comparable to those a UK applicant would be offered for the same or a similar post
  • BSUK must be provided with a CV containing two references, as well as supporting documentation that evidences:
    • That the applicant has coached at US High School level (or equivalent) or above (for at least 2 years) or held a position within National Teams in another nation's programmes (WBSC ranked top 20); the applicant’s qualifications align with the requirements as set out in this criteria.
    • That the applicant has a minimum of 3 years of technical coaching experience at  World Level, provides evidence of delivering finalists at World Level (Senior), and has coached within the last 2 years.
  • Arrangements judged suitable by BSUK must be in place for a disclosure and barring (DBS) check and other welfare checks of the applicant’s suitability where relevant
  • Arrangements judged suitable by BSUK must be in place to ensure the applicant will receive training equivalent to that at BSUK Level 3 in Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk before commencing work with children or adults at risk
  • Confirmation must be given by the sponsor that the wider requirements of UK law will be met in connection with the employment of the migrant

Absences, Injuries and Suspensions

Consideration will be given to the following when applying the criteria: injury; a period of maternity or paternity leave; serious illness or any legitimate medical reasons; suspension; international duty; bereavement; or family crisis.

In order to obtain the governing body endorsement, the individual must not be subject to a provisional suspension or any unexpired period of ineligibility from playing and/or coaching activities in any jurisdiction as a result of being charged with or found guilty of a corruption offence and/or a doping offence and/or another misconduct offence.

Further information

This information is available on the BaseballSoftballUK website at www.BaseballSoftballUK.com

For any queries relating to the requirements or the endorsement process please contact:

John Boyd
CEO
BaseballSoftballUK
Home Plate
Farnham Park National Baseball and Softball Complex
Beaconsfield Road
Farnham Royal
SL2 3BP

Phone: +44 (0) 20 7453 7055

Email: john.boyd@bsuk.com

Information on visas and immigration is available on the GOV.UK website.

Dispute handling procedures

Any challenge to a decision of BSUK under this policy must be made under BSUK’s Points-based Immigration System Appeal Policy, attached as Appendix E. No other challenge to any decision will be entertained.

Section 3: Process for applying for an endorsement

How to apply for governing body endorsements for International Sportsperson (long-term and short-term)

Member/Partner Organisations eligible for International Sportsperson (Long Term) sponsor licence governing body endorsement should use the Application Form: Appendix A

Member / Partner Organisations eligible for International Sportsperson (Short Term) sponsor licence governing body endorsement should use the Application Form: Appendix B

Please note the requirements for Long-term and Short-term applications are the same

All potential sponsors should note that the purpose of an endorsement for a prospective sponsor is to confirm to the Home Office officials processing sponsor applications that the application is from a bona fide sports club or equivalent that has a legitimate requirement to bring migrants to the UK as sportspeople. The Home Office has additional criteria for sponsors that must be met for a Member / Partner Organisation to be granted a sponsor licence. It is not BSUK who will grant a sponsor licence.

There is an administration fee of £50 for each governing body endorsement for sponsor licences.

How to apply for governing body endorsements for International Sportsperson (long and short term) applications

Once a Member / Partner Organisation has obtained a sponsor licence from the Home Office, the sponsor will be able to apply for Certificates of Sponsorship, which it will allocate to migrants coming here to work. Each migrant that a Member / Partner Organisation wishes to employ needs to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship. However, before a Member / Partner Organisation can assign a Certificate of Sponsorship to a sportsperson, they will also have to obtain an endorsement from BSUK for all applications made for individual sportspeople and coaches.

Long-term applications from Member / Partner Organisations should use Appendix C: International Sportsperson (Long-term) Governing Body Endorsement Application Form.

Short-term applications from Member / Partner Organisations should use Appendix D: International Sportsperson (short-term) Governing Body Endorsement Application Form.

There is an administration fee of £50 for each governing body endorsement for migrant applications.

You should read and complete the appropriate appendices.

Appendix A International Sportsperson (Long term) Licence Governing Body Endorsement Application
Appendix B International Sportsperson (Short Term) Licence Governing Body Endorsement Application
Appendix C International Sportsperson (Long term) Individual Migrant Governing Body Endorsement Application Form
Appendix D International Sportsperson (Short term) Individual Migrant Governing Body Endorsement Application Form
Appendix E BSUK’s Points Based Immigration System Appeal Policy.