Skip to main content

We're here to help you work, train or compete

Sports Visa Lawyers is legal practice specialising in sports migration in Australia, USA, UK and Europe.

We understand that navigating the complex world of sports visas can be an overwhelming process. Our team of experienced lawyers are here to provide you with the guidance, support and expertise you need to obtain the right visa to work, train or compete.

We are legally qualified professionals who understand that immigration involves people’s lives.  We take your matter seriously and provide a much more personalised service, with our diligence strongly supported by our efficient processes and cutting-edge practice management technology.

Australian Sports Visas

Subclass 408 Temporary Activity
(Sporting Activities)

Purpose

This visa allows elite athletes, coaches, adjudicators, trainers, and other members of sports teams to enter Australia to compete in sporting events, undertake high-level sports training with a sporting organization, or coach/play for an Australian team.

Stay-period

  • 3 months; or
  • Up to 2 years (must be sponsored by a Temporary Activities Sponsor)

What you can do on this visa

  • Compete in a sporting event;
  • Take part in a structured sports training program at the national or international level
  • Play for, coach, instruct or adjudicate for an Australian sporting team or sporting organization for a season
  • Travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while your visa is valid
  • You may include family members/dependents in your application
  • You may study part-time in Australia.

What you can’t do on this visa

  • You must not do any work other than the approved sporting activity
  • If you stop competing, you may have to leave Australia or apply for a new visa appropriate to your circumstances

Subclass 858 Global Talent visa program
(Distinguished Talent stream)

Purpose

The Global Talent visa program is a permanent visa for the brightest and best global talent. The Distinguished Talent pathway is for extremely talented athletes and coaches who have an internationally recognized record of exceptional and outstanding achievements working in their sport.  This would include world-class athletes and coaches.

Stay-period

  • Indefinite

What you can do on this visa

  • You can stay in Australia permanently
  • You may work and study in Australia
  • You may enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare
  • You may sponsor your relatives to come to Australia
  • You may travel to and from Australia for up to 5 years
  • You may, if eligible, apply for Australian Citizenship after 4 years lawful residence

United States Sports Visas

P-1A (Athlete) Visa

Purpose

The P-1A visa is a specialty visa for individual professional athletes or sportspersons part of a team at an internationally recognized level of performance and coaches/essential support personnel to enter the United States, solely for the purpose of performing at a specific competition/tournament/exhibition.

Stay-period

  • The time needed to complete the event, competition, or performance. This period cannot exceed 5 years.
  • Essential support personnel can only be granted entry for a maximum of 1 year.

What can you do on this visa

  • Enter the US for the purpose of performing at a specific competition/tournament/exhibition
  • Study part-time
  • Bring your family/dependents to the US by applying for the P-4 Visa
  • Extend your stay in the US for up to 5 years, for a maximum total stay of 10 years.

What you can’t do on this visa

  • You must not work for multiple employers unless a separate petition has been lodged for each business
  • Your dependents must not work

O-1A (Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement) Visa

Purpose

This visa is for individuals who possess extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, or athletics and have been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements.

Stay-period

  • The time needed to complete the event, competition, or performance. This period cannot exceed 3 years.

What you can do on this visa

  • Take part in the athletic/sports event specified as part of the visa process
  • Bring family/dependents to the United States through the O-3 nonimmigrant visa

What you can’t do on this visa

  • You must not change employers without filing an amended petition
  • You must submit an amended petition if there has been a material change in the terms and conditions of employment, or if you will be undergoing additional events/engagements as part of your expertise.

European Sports Visas

Schengen Sports Visa (Schengen Countries)

Purpose

The Sports Schengen Visa is for people travelling primarily for sports purposes to participate in athletic events, including as a member of a team.

The Schengen Visa allows access to the following 26 Schengen countries:

  • Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Stay-period

  • Up to 90 days within a 180-day period

What you can do on this visa

  • You may take part in tourism or other related activities
  • You may visit any other Schengen countries (unless you hold a Limited Territory Visa)
  • You may take part in the athletic/sports event specified as part of the visa process

What you can’t do on this visa

  • You must not extend your stay beyond 90 days within a 180-day period
  • You must not work and receive income from a Schengen-based company

International Sportsperson Visa - UK

Purpose

The International Sportsperson Visa replaced the Sportsperson (T2) visa and permits elite athletes or qualified coaches who have been recognized by your sport’s governing body as being at the highest level of your profession internationally, to temporarily enter the United Kingdom.

Stay-period

  • Up to 3 years

What you can do on this visa

  • work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship
  • perform 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 your competition
  • travel abroad and return to the UK
  • bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependents’ (if eligible)

What you can’t do on this visa

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