Work permits
Sports and Entertainments
These pages explain what the Sports and Entertainments work permits are and if you are an employer how you can apply for one.
The sportspeople and entertainers arrangements enable employers to recruit current international performers of the highest standard, who are able to make a significant contribution to entertainment or sport in this country.
You can make a Sport and Entertainments work permit application if you are a United Kingdom based employer and you need to employ a person to work here. In the entertainment industry, the person's agent may be the employer.
We only issue work permits for sportspeople and entertainers who are recognised sportspeople, entertainers, cultural artists and some technical/support people, if you are unable to employ a resident worker.
To find out the criteria for each Sports and Entertainments category you should follow the links below.
Actors - film
Actors - theatre
Ballet
Baseball and softball coaches
Basketball
Boxing
Classical musicians
Cricket
Cultural visits
Dancers: popular teachers (who are performing) and choreographers
Field hockey
Female professional football players
Football managers and first team coaches
Football players
Ice hockey
Jockeys and trainers
Kabbadi
Lacrosse
Pantomime
Permit free festivals list 2008 - 2009 (Excel 44.5K opens in a new window)
Polo
Rugby league
Rugby union
Speedway
Technical support staff in the film, television and video industry
You must read these pages with the Sports and Entertainments guidance which you can download from the right side of this page.
For information on how to apply for a work permit under the Sports and Entertainments arrangements see the applying page.
You will need to check if the individual and any dependants need a visa. To find out more information on visas you should see the visa services website.
Application forms
Sports and Entertainments
- Form WP3 - valid for use from 1 April 2008DOC 1.9M opens in a new window
- Sports and entertainments guidePDF 189K opens in a new window
Sports and Entertainments, extension of stay
- Form WP3xDOC 1.6M opens in a new window
- Sports and entertainments guidePDF 189K opens in a new window
See also
General guides
- General information (PDF 154K opens in a new window)
- Service standards (PDF 97K opens in a new window)
- Payment guide (PDF 157K opens in a new window)
Shortage occupations
News & updates
Terms explained
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Resident worker
A person who is a national of the European Economic Area (EEA) or is legally settled in the United Kingdom with permission to work here. In some cases, an employer who wishes to employ a person who is not a permanent resident must show that no resident worker could be found to take the job.
Internet links
Contact
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Work permits customer contact centre
0114 207 4074
Customer Contact Centre, UK Border Agency, PO Box 3468, Sheffield, S3 8WA