International Sportsperson Dependant Visa

If your partner or parent is currently in or coming to the UK on an International Sportsperson visa, you can apply to join them. Our comprehensive guide below provides a full overview of the International Sportsperson Dependant visa.


(5 out of 5 Rating)

Based on 1058+ Reviews on Trustpilot & Google

Request a call back from our Advisors

Privacy Policy
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

What is an International Sportsperson Dependant Visa?

The International Sportsperson Dependent visa allows the immediate family members of an International Sportsperson visa holder to join them in the UK. It is specifically intended for the spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner of the main applicant, as well as any dependent children. This visa enables dependants to accompany the main applicant for the duration of their stay in the UK.

Key details of the visa include:

  • Dependents can apply either at the same time as the main applicant or join them at a later date.
  • The duration of the dependent visa is tied to the length of the main applicant’s International Sportsperson visa.
  • Dependent visa holders have the right to live, work, and study in the UK without restriction.
  • Dependents can extend their visas alongside the main applicant or apply for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) once residency requirements are met.

The Dependant International Sportsperson visa ensures families can remain together and provides significant rights and opportunities to dependants, including greater freedom in employment than the main visa holder. It also serves as a potential pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain and, ultimately, British Citizenship. However, it’s important to note that a dependant’s stay in the UK depends entirely on the main visa holder. Any visa extensions or applications for residency require the main applicant to do the same, and dependants must maintain a genuine relationship with the main visa holder.

Eligibility Requirements for an International Sportsperson Dependant Visa

To qualify for an International Sportsperson Dependant visa, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Relationship to the main applicant: You must be the spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, or dependant child (under 18) of the main applicant who holds a valid International Sportsperson visa.
  • Financial requirement: Both the main applicant and any dependants must have sufficient savings to support themselves without relying on public funds. These funds must have been held in your account for at least 28 consecutive days.
  • Tuberculosis (TB) test: Depending on your country of residence, you may be required to undergo a TB test as part of the visa application.

There is no English language requirement for dependents at this stage. However, future applications in the immigration process for residency and citizenship will require proof of English language proficiency.

Maintenance Requirement for International Sportsperson Dependant Visas

Under the Maintenance Requirement, it is necessary to demonstrate sufficient funds to support both the main applicant and any dependants upon their arrival in the UK. The main applicant must show a minimum of £1,270 in savings. Additionally, they must provide evidence of the following funds for any dependants:

  • £285 for a partner
  • £315 for the first child
  • £200 for each additional child

These funds must have been available for at least 28 consecutive days, with the final day of that period falling within 31 days of the application date.

Proof of maintenance funds is required for all applications unless:

  • The applicant and their family have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months, or
  • The employer agrees to cover the family's costs for the first month in the UK, confirmed on the Certificate of Sponsorship.

If the partner or child applies separately from the main applicant, they only need to demonstrate they have sufficient funds to support themselves.

International Sportsperson Dependant Visa Document List

The following documents are required when submitting an application, though specific requirements may vary based on individual circumstances:

  • Valid passport: Each dependant family member applying for the visa must provide a valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining.
  • Proof of relationship: You will need to provide documentation to confirm the relationship between the main applicant and each dependent. This may include a marriage or civil partnership certificate or proof of two years of cohabitation for unmarried partners, with supporting documents from multiple sources covering this period. Birth or adoption certificates are required for dependant children. If a child is 16 years or older, proof of address is also needed to confirm they live with the main applicant.
  • TB test results: If dependants are from a country where tuberculosis (TB) testing is required, you must provide TB test results from an approved clinic.
  • Financial documentation: You must submit evidence of sufficient funds to meet the financial requirement for maintenance. This may include bank statements or other financial documents demonstrating that you can support yourself and your dependants.

Rights and Permission Under an International Sportsperson Dependant Visa

The International Sportsperson Dependent visa offers several benefits, granting the holder various rights related to work, study, and overall freedoms.

Visa holders are allowed to:

  • Take up full-time or part-time employment with any employer without needing sponsorship.
  • Enroll in full-time or part-time education at accredited schools, colleges, or universities in the UK.
  • Freely enter and leave the UK as they wish.
  • Apply for visa extensions to extend their stay in the UK.
  • Become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years of continuous residence in the UK.

However, certain restrictions apply, particularly regarding access to public funds:

  • Dependent Skilled Worker Visa holders are generally not entitled to most public funds in the UK, including welfare benefits and social housing.
  • Exceptions include access to healthcare services through the National Health Service (NHS).

Book A Free Assessment

Privacy Policy
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

International Sportsperson Dependant Visa Fees

The fees for an International Sportsperson Deoendant visa are the same as for the main applicant:

Application Type Up to 12 Months Up to 3 Years
Applying from outside the UK £298 £719
Applying from inside the UK (switching, extending, or updating) £298 £827
     

Apart from the application fees, there are other additional fees associated with the application process:

  • Biometric appointment fee: These appointments can sometimes be scheduled online at no cost if booked well in advance. However, if you need to book a last-minute appointment, a fee of up to £250 may apply.
  • Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): International Sportsperson Dependant visa holders must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). The current cost is £1,035 per year for each adult and £776 per year for each child under 18.

If you want to get your visa processed quickly, you'll need to use a priority or super-priority service. These incur an additional charge of £500 and £1,000, respectively, for each applicant. However, these services guarantee a decision within 5 working days for priority service applications or the next working day for super-priority applications. 

Processing Time for International Sportsperson Dependant Visas

The countdown for processing time begins after an online application is submitted and the biometric data is provided during the scheduled appointment. From this point, most applications are processed within three weeks, faster than many other visa types. You may have the option to expedite your application using a priority service. If this is a service you're interested in, check availability on the UKVI website when scheduling your biometric appointment. If there are no services listed, it means that all available slots are fully booked. 

Valuable ‘fixed-fee’ advice at any stage of your application

International Sportsperson Dependant Extensions and the Route to Settlement

You can continually extend the International Sportsperson visa provided the main applicant continues to meet the eligibility criteria. Initial visa applications are granted for up to 3 years, and you can apply for extensions for a further 3 years. However, after 5 years in the UK under the International Sportsperson Dependant visa, you should be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Providing you meet the eligibility criteria for ILR, it’s far better to apply under this settlement route than to continue on a dependant visa.

We Know Every
Reason For
Refusal

We Manage The Entire
Process

Our Experience
Secures Visa Approvals

We Provide A
Bespoke
Document List

We Provide
The Document
Templates

UK Visa Experts & No
Sales Team

Why 40,000 Clients Have Chosen First Migration to Secure Their Visa Approval.

Many clients choose First Migration for its long history of excellent service and track record of successful visa applications. However, what we feel is our biggest strength and what makes us unique is our small dedicated team that offers a truly personalised service. We genuinely love what we do, and our team relishes making a difference to the lives of our clients.

We Know Every Reason For Refusal
We Manage The Entire Process
Our Experience Secures Visa Approvals
We Provide A Bespoke Document List
We Provide The Document Templates
UK Visa Experts & No Sales Team
Dean Morgan's avatar

About Dean Morgan

Immigration Lawyer
Dean is a founding partner of First Migration and has more than 20 years of experience in UK immigration. He is a trusted voice in the immigration community and regularly appears on GB News and other prominent news channels.

First Migration Latest Insights

Keep up to date with the latest news, insights and events

Download Our Guide to Making Successful UK Visa Applications

First Migration

Enter Your Details Below For Our Free Guide

For Tips To a Successful Application

Download Our Free Guide

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.