LTA immigration endorsement policy
Lawn Tennis Association Limited (the LTA) is the Home Office’s recognised governing body for setting the endorsement requirements and issuing endorsements for clubs and coaches in lawn tennis and padel tennis in the United Kingdom related to the International Sportsperson visa.
The International Sportsperson visa route is for qualified 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.
Under the Home Office’s points-based visa system, tennis venues will need to obtain a sponsor licence from the Home Office to bring coaches from outside the United Kingdom. Tennis venues must obtain a governing body endorsement from the LTA to obtain a sponsor licence.
Under the Home Office’s points-based visa system, migrants need to pass a points-based assessment before they are given permission to enter or remain in the United Kingdom. For more information on the points-based system please refer to the UKVI website. The requirements for obtaining an International Sportsperson visa include the requirement to obtain a governing body endorsement from the LTA.
The LTA issues governing body endorsements to migrant coaches in accordance with LTA’s Governing Body Endorsement Policy (a copy of which can be found below). The LTA’s Governing Body Endorsement Policy sets out the LTA’s endorsement criteria and application process. These criteria and the application process are agreed by the LTA with the Home Office. Each application for endorsement will be considered against the relevant criteria set out in the Governing Body Endorsement Policy based on the information provided to the LTA at the time of the application. Please note that the information provided to the LTA will be processed in accordance with the LTA’s privacy policy and may be disclosed to the Home Office if they investigate the LTA’s processes and procedures.
The LTA’s Governing Body Endorsement Policy is to be used for all governing body endorsement requests made on or after the 9 August 2023. The requirements will be reviewed annually.
LTA Governing Body Endorsement Policy
Visiting the UK for sport
In addition to issuing endorsements for clubs and sportspeople, the LTA may also provide a letter of invitation for players and/or agents of world-ranked players and/or business visitors. This letter may be necessary to assist with appropriate UK visa entry for the individual on a sports visitor or business visitor basis.
The LTA won't provide specific advice to visitors on immigration matters. Foreign nationals intending to visit the UK are advised to refer to the UKVI website for further information on whether they'll need to obtain a visa before travelling to the UK.
Guidance on the type of visa and documents required in support of an application for a visitor visa is available through the following links: