Governing Body Endorsement

Under the government's new Points Based Managed Migration system, cricket clubs will now need to obtain a sponsor licence from the UK Borders Agency in order to bring cricketers and coaches from outside the EU into the country.

As part of this process, clubs must obtain from the ECB a Governing Body Endorsement BOTH for their sponsor licence and for individual players and coaches.

Following UKBA's approval of ECB's Governing Body Endorsement requirement process, the guidance document, together with application forms to be used when applying for these endorsements, are found at the foot of this page.

For non first class cricket clubs, who will be operating under Tier 5 of the Points Based System, ECB will accept applications for sponsor licence endorsements from Monday November 24 and applications for endorsement of individual migrants (player-coaches and coaches) from Monday January 5 2009.

Please note that the ECB will not accept electronic submissions and applications will not be processed until a non-refundable cheque has arrived.

For further information on the Points Based Managed Migration System, please see the UK Border Agency website.

Annexes A, C and D below are for use for Tier 2 (First Class) Endorsement applications.

Annexes B, E and F are for use for Tier 5 (Non First Class) Endorsement applications.

Annex G is for use in all relevant applications.

Annexes H and D are for use for Tier 2 (County Cricket Boards) Endorsement applications.

Governing Body Endorsement requirements for 2009, inc County Boards (95 KB)
Overseas Vetting Form 2009 (27 KB)
Annex A (21 KB)
Annex B (20 KB)
Annex C (22 KB)
Annex D (21 KB)
Annex E (22 KB)
Annex F (21 KB)
Annex G (16 KB)
Annex H (18 KB)
Review Process For Governing Body Endorsements Criteria (16 KB)

Additional Information

New Information (added Thursday 18 June 2009)

UKBA have introduced a Concession to Tier 5 of the Points Based System, where as a Sponsor can engage the services of an overseas player/coach for a maximum of 3 months without the need of the individual to gain Entry Clearance(visa).

The concession is there to help clubs if, for instance they need to source a short term replacement player to cover injury.

The concession means that the process to allow overseas player/coaches isn’t as lengthy, however, all the criteria will still need to be met. Clubs will still need to gain endorsement from the ECB and issue a Certificate of Sponsorship, but this cannot be longer than 3 months.

All the individual will need is to have the Certificate of Sponsorship number. Please do not give them a copy of the certificate.

New Information (Added Thursday 28 May 2009)

Please note that the ECB cannot provide advice or guidance on Immigration routes, processes or an individual's status. You will need to contact a registered immigration advisor who is OISC registered or by calling either of the numbers below.

Sponsor & Employer Enquiries: 0300 123 4699

Immigration Enquiry Bureau: 0870 606 7766

New Information (Added Wednesday 20 May 2009):

Responsibilities of Cricket Clubs

For cricket clubs to bring in sports people and coaches into the UK from outside the EU, they must be a licensed sponsor and agree to comply with certain duties and remain compliant at all times. To become a licensed sponsor, cricket clubs must obtain from their UKBA recognised sport governing body, the England and Wales Cricket Board, a Governing Body Endorsement.

As well as obtaining a Governing Body Endorsement for their sponsor licence, cricket clubs must also obtain a Governing Body Endorsement for individual players and coaches.

In accordance with current sponsor guidance for Tier 2 and Tier 5 Sports, when a cricket club assigns a certificate of sponsorship to a sports person, the certificate of sponsorship can only be assigned for the period covered by the Governing Body Endorsement. Certificates issued in excess of the Governing Body Endorsement will be in breach of their sponsorship duties and as a consequence their licence is liable to be revoked.

For Tier 2 Sports, Governing Body Endorsements are issued by the ECB for a maximum 12 months only for players. Governing Body Endorsements for coaches will normally be issued for the length of the contract period up to a maximum of 3 years.

For Tier 5 Sporting, Governing Body Endorsements for player-coaches and coaches are issued by the ECB for a maximum of 12 months only.

Endorsements for migrants are required for each Certificate of Sponsorship to be issued.

Further details on Governing Body Endorsement requirements for Cricket can be found in the ECB’s code of practice.

A sponsors behaviour and compliance with their duties once they have been licensed will continue to be monitored. Visits to cricket clubs on the sponsor register can be made with prior agreement or by an unannounced visit by a UKBA Visiting Officer. Where it is considered that a sponsor has not been complying with its duties and where the requirements of the ECB’s code of practice has not been adhered to, the licence may be withdrawn or the cricket club downgraded to a B-rating. In all cases, cricket clubs will be given the opportunity to explain its case before any action is taken.

New information (added Tuesday 12 May 2009)

Review Process for Governing Body Endorsements Criteria – Consultation Period - The England and Wales Cricket Board has committed to reviewing the criteria set for Governing Body Endorsements in readiness for the 2010 season. Clubs who wish to propose changes to the criteria for the review process to consider must submit those proposals to either the First Class (for Tier 2) or Non-First Class (for Tier 5) Cricket Department at the ECB no later than Friday 19 June 2009. Please forward all proposals to Emma Davis on emma.davis@ecb.co.uk
The ECB review process is limited to the cricket specific Governing Body Endorsements Requirements as the ECB has no remit to change the UKBA visa application process.

New information (added Monday 19 January 2009)

Sports Visitor Visa - ECB has received a verbal update from UKBA in relation to our questions regarding the Sports Visitor Visa (SVV) and a written confirmation is expected imminently. As soon as the written confirmation is received the ECB will publish full details on this page.

Sponsor Licence Applications - Please ensure that applications to the ECB for Governing Body Endorsement are made PRIOR to the application to the UKBA for a Sponsor Licence.

All organisations that successfully register with UKBA as sponsors will be published on UKBA website which can be found here.

Designated Professional Leagues - The ECB recommend that County Cricket Boards advise Emma Davis (in writing) via email on emma.davis@ecb.co.uk which leagues they wish, if any, to designate as 'A Designated Professional League'.