ENDORSEMENT REQUIREMENTS

This guidance is to be used for all Tier 2 and Tier 5 governing body endorsement requests made on or after the 6 June 2016.

Section 1: overview of governing body endorsements for Tier 2 (Sportsperson) and Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Creative and Sporting categories of the points-based system

This page provides a brief explanation of the endorsement requirements a sport governing body has agreed UK sponsors of Tier 2 (Sportsperson) and/or Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Creative and Sporting categories of the points-based system must show.

The Tier 2 (Sportsperson) category is for elite sportspeople and coaches who are internationally established at the highest level and whose employment will make a significant contribution to the development of their sport at the highest level in the UK, and who will base themselves in the UK.

The Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Creative and Sporting category is for sportspeople (and their entourage where appropriate) and coaches who are internationally established at the highest level in their sport, and/or will make a significant contribution to the development of their sport in the UK.

Sport governing body is one recognised by one of the home country sports councils for example Sport England. Every governing body must be approved by the Home Office before they are included in Appendix M of the Immigration Rules.

The application process explained: migrants applying to come to the UK under either of the sporting categories above need to be sponsored by an organisation that has a sponsor licence under Tier 2 (Sportsperson) or Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Creative and Sporting.

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 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 leave to enter or remain in the UK. Each individual must also have a personal endorsement from the governing body for their sport before you assign the certificate of sponsorship.

The list of governing bodies and the tiers for which they are currently approved by the Home Office is in Appendix M of the Immigration Rules.

Approved governing bodies will work within the Home Office 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 of approval for sponsorship or the tier under which the migrant’s application is being made, that is:

Type of application	Tier	Length of endorsement
Sponsor	Tier 2 (Sportsperson) and/or Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Creative and Sporting)	4 years from date of issue
Migrant	Tier 2 (Sportsperson)	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.
Migrant	Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Creative and Sporting	For the length of the contract or up to a maximum of 12 months, whichever is the shorter period.

 

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 category, 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 leave to remain. Leave to remain 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. The salary must meet the current requirements of the national minimum wage.

Supplementary Employment

Migrants are eligible to undertake supplementary employment under the Home Office supplementary employment regulations. The ‘Supplementary employment’ section of the Tiers 2 & 5: guidance for sponsors has more information on this.

Section 2: requirements

This page explains Ice Hockey UK (IHUK) requirements under the Tier 2 (Sportsperson) and Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Creative and Sporting categories for the 2016 to 2017 season and will be effective from 6 June 2016. The endorsements apply to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Consultation

The following requirements have been agreed by the Home Office following consultation between Ice Hockey UK and the Elite Ice Hockey League.

Review

The requirements will be reviewed annually in February.

Length of season

The season for ice hockey tends to run from August to April.

Requirements

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

Category	Requirement
Sponsor Tier 2 (Sportsperson) and/or Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Creative and Sporting	Governing body endorsements will only be issued to teams competing in the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL). None are permitted to be issued for any development leagues operating in the UK or Northern Ireland.
Migrant Tier 2 (Sportsperson) and/or Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Creative and Sporting                                                                                               Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Creative and Sporting only                                                                                     Tier 2 (Sportsperson) and/or Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Creative and Sporting                       Tier 2 (Sportsperson) and/or Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Creative and Sporting               Tier 2 (Sportsperson) and/or Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Creative and Sporting	PlayerPlayers coming to the UK should have played in at least 75% of competitive games where they were available for selection from either of the following leagues or any of those listed in Table 1 below, in the last complete season prior to the start date of the relevant current domestic season: · National Hockey League (NHL) · American Hockey League (AHL) Table 1 Country 1st Division 2nd Division   Sweden   SHL HockeyAllsvensken Finland   Liiga Mestis Russia   KHL VHL Czech Republic   Extraliga 1.Liga Switzerland   NLA NLB Slovakia   Extraliga 1.Liga Latvia   Latvia 1 Norway   Get Ligaen 1.Divisjon Belarus   Extraliga France   Ligue Magnus Division 1 Germany   DEL DEL2 Slovenia   Slovenia 1 Denmark   Metal Ligaen 1.Division Kazakhstan   Karaqunda Liga   Italy Serie A Olympic/World Championship players Players who have represented their country in the Olympics or the World Championships should have played in at least 75% of competition games for an IIHF World Championship ranked above Great Britain’s (seniors) national side within the 12 months prior to the entry clearance or leave to enter application.           Player Players coming to the UK should have played in at least 75% of competitive games where they were available for selection from either of the following leagues or any of those listed in Table 2 below, in the last complete season prior to the start date of the relevant current domestic season: · East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) · National Collegiate Athletic Association Div 1 (NCAA); consisting of Atlantic Hockey, Big Ten, ECAC Hockey, Hockey East, National CHC and Western CHC · Canadian Hockey League (OHL, QMJHL, WHL) · Canadian Interuniversity Sports League (AUS, CWUAA, OUA and RSEQ) Table 2 Country   1st Division Austria   Erste Bank Liga Netherlands   Eredivisie League Hungary   Borsodi Ukraine   PHL Japan   Asian League Statistics for initial endorsement The UK Club should provide copies of any press reviews relating to the player and statistics or the previous season to demonstrate that the player meets the above criteria. Wherever possible, statistics from overseas club for whom the player played the previous season must be provided. This must be on the clubs letter headed paper. The use of statistics from ‘Hockey News’ or official websites such as: EliteProspects.com, NHL.com, DHL.com and ECHL.com can be accepted where information from clubs is difficult to obtain. Renewal of endorsement: player’s returning or extending Where an overseas player is returning for another season (after playing in the UK during the previous season) they must have played 75% of games subject to a minimum of 20 fixtures. Where an overseas player is extending their leave they must have played at least 75% of their previous UK teams competitive games subject to a minimum of 20 fixtures. Statistics for renewal of endorsement The club is to provide a copy of the player’s previous season’s statistics. Transfers from other EIHL Clubs Applications for player’s to transfer to another club during a season will be treated as a change of employment application. They will be assessed against the criteria for the initial endorsement i.e. the player’s will continue to qualify on the basis of 75% competitive games played subject to a minimum of 20 fixtures in the previous season in the qualifying league overseas. Goal Tenders A goaltender must have been dressed in at least of 75% games in the qualifying leagues and have started in 50% of those games, subject to a minimum of 20 games in the previous season.   For renewal, extension and change of employment applications, a goaltender must have been dressed in at least 75% of games and have started in 50% of games, subject to a minimum of 20 games.. Injuries and suspensions If a player or goaltender was not available for selection for a match or series of matches due to injury and provided that written independent medical evidence is submitted stipulating which games the player missed through injury, those games will be excluded from the total when calculating the player’s appearance percentage. Games in which players or goaltenders were suspended will be discounted when calculating the player’s appearance percentage provided that the club can supply written evidence on official letter headed paper of the League. Coach Coaches should possess a Level 2 IIHF qualification or equivalent or above to coach players in Elite Ice Hockey League, English Premier League, English National Leagues and Scottish National League. Where the team’s sessions is being run by a qualified coach, other players may be allowed to assist with the coaching where the information is disclosed in the player’s contract. No player or coach may run learn to play programmes, Hockey schools, or any other on ice activity outside the remit of his working application to coach or play for his team/ sponsor whom has employed him. Player/Coach The player/coach must meet the appropriate 75% playing criteria and must have a minimum of a Level 2 IIHF coaching certificate or equivalent or above to coach players in Elite Ice Hockey League, English Premier League, English National Leagues and Scottish National League.

Further information

This information is available on the Ice Hockey UK website.

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

 

Andy French

CEO

Ice Hockey UK

Regus House

Malthouse Avenue

Cardiff CF23 8RU

 

Telephone: +44771 359 0506

Email: andy.french@icehockeyuk.co.uk

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

Dispute handling procedures

All disputed applications need to be directed to Ice Hockey UK in the first instance.

 

 

Section 3: process for applying for an endorsement

How to apply for governing body endorsements for Tier 2 (Sportsperson) and Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Creative and Sporting sponsor licence applications

A team competing in the EIHL can apply to UKIH for a governing body endorsement using the form in Annex 1.

If an application is successful, IHUK will issue an endorsement in the format attached at Annex 2.

How to apply for governing body endorsements for Tier 2 (Sportsperson) and Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Creative and Sporting migrant applications

If a team competing in the EIHL holds a Tier 2 (Sportsperson) and/or Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Creative and Sporting sponsor licence and wishes to apply for IHUK’s governing body endorsement to employ a sportsperson, they must apply to IHUK using the form in Annex 3.

If the application is successful, IHUK will issue an endorsement in the format attached at Annex 4.

Annex 1: Tier 2 and/or Tier 5 governing body endorsement application – sponsor licence

This form should be used to apply to Ice Hockey UK (IHUK) for a governing body endorsement in support of an application for a licence to sponsor migrants under the Tier 2 (Sportsperson) and/or Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Creative and Sporting categories.

Please complete all sections below:

Name of club:
Address:
Telephone number
Fax number
Contact name & job title
Contact email address
Signature
Date of application

Please tick the applicable boxes below:

• we are a team competing in the EIHL
• we wish to apply to UKVI for a licence to sponsor migrants under the Tier 2 (Sportsperson) category
• we wish to apply to UKVI for a licence to sponsor migrants under the Tier 5 (Temporary worker) Creative and Sporting category

Please forward the original form to:

Andy French

Ice Hockey UK

Regus House, Malthouse Avenue, Cardiff CF23 8RU

The information on this form may be disclosed to UKVI in the event that they investigate IHUK’s processes and procedures.

Annex 2: Ice Hockey UK (INUK) governing body endorsement – sponsor licence

Tier
Type	IHUK sponsor licence endorsement
Endorsement reference number
Endorsement issue to (Club full name)
Club address
Start date of endorsement
End date of endorsement
IHUK endorsement issued by	IHUK Andy French CEO Ice Hockey UK General Secretary
Signed	(on behalf of IHUK)
Date endorsement issued

 

The issue of this IHUK (governing body for ice hockey) endorsement does not guarantee that subsequent endorsements will be issued, each endorsement will be considered against the requirements and the information provided to IHUK at the time of the request.

The information on this form may be disclosed to UKVI in the event that they investigate IHUK’s processes and procedures.

 

Annex 3: Tier 2 and/or Tier 5 governing body endorsement application – sportsperson

This form should be used to apply to Ice Hockey UK (IHUK) for a governing body endorsement of an application for a sportsperson under the Tier 2 (Sportsperson) and/or Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Creative and Sporting categories.

Please complete all sections of the form unless otherwise indicated:

Full name of migrant sportsperson
Address
Nationality
Job title of sportsperson
Period of employment the endorsement is issued for
Proposed salary
Supplementary employment section
Club address
Sponsor licence number (SLN)
Telephone number
Club contact name & job title
Club contact email address
Signature
Date of application

 

Please tick the applicable boxes below:

• we hold a licence to sponsor migrants under the Tier 2 (Sportsperson) category and we wish to apply to UKVI to sponsor the above migrant under the Tier 2 (Sportsperson) category
• we hold licence to sponsor migrants under the Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Creative and Sporting category and we wish to apply to UKVI to sponsor the above migrant under Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Creative and Sporting

Please forward the original form to:

Andy French

Ice Hockey UK

Regus House, Malthouse Avenue, Cardiff CF23 8RU

 

The information on this form may be disclosed to UKVI in the event that they investigate IHUK’s processes and procedures.

 

Annex 4: Ice Hockey UK (IHUK) endorsement – Tier 2 (Sportsperson) and/or Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Creative and Sporting migrant

A copy of this document must be sent to the individual so that they can print a copy which must be included in their application for leave to enter or remain in the UK. IHUK also advise that the individual carries a copy when travelling to or from the UK.

Tier endorsement issued under
Type (i.e. player, net minder or coach)
Endorsement reference number
Endorsement issue to (Club full name)
Club address
Endorsement issued for (Migrant full name)
Address of migrant
Job title
Proposed Salary
Period of employment the endorsement is issued for
IHUK endorsement issued by	IHUK Andy French CEO Ice Hockey UK General Secretary
Signed	(on behalf of IHUK)
Date endorsement issued

 

The issue of this IHUK (governing body for ice hockey) endorsement does not guarantee that subsequent endorsements will be issued, each endorsement will be considered against requirements and the information provided to IHUK at the time of the request.

The information on this form may be disclosed to UKVI in the event that they investigate IHUK’s processes and procedures.