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Important Information Regarding Overseas Players

New legislation introduced in 2009 makes it much more difficult for non EU nationals and those not in possession of valid UK passports to enter the country for the purpose of playing Cricket. The UK Border Agency are threatening to take a tougher line this year (2010) and prosecutions are expected!

Latest Info (April 2010) from League Cricket Conference Secretary Neil Edwards below. Note that it has been confirmed that the 'Youth Mobility' scheme cannot be used.
Below that is some FAQs, a list of now-abolished immigration categories & a list of Coaching equivalents to UKCC2.

MANAGED MIGRATION UPDATE

The system is now in operation and as expected we have encountered a number of problems, but these are slowly being resolved.

The notes below are intended to give clubs assistance in understanding the regime that is now being introduced.

Accountability
The new system seeks to move the accountability for the movement of migrant workers and visitors from the UKBA (the United Kingdom Border Agency) to those who seek to employ the migrants, and in the case of sports people to the national governing body of the sport.
Therefore in the case of cricket, it is the clubs that seek to bring in overseas players and ECB who are the bodies accountable to the UKBA.
Clubs are in the main unincorporated bodies, and as such it is the Chairman and Club Committee who will be held accountable should they get it wrong.

Sponsorship
Clubs seeking to bring into the country a professional cricketer must first seek the permission of UKBA, and obtain a “Sponsors Licence”. The licence can be applied for on line, but will need to be accompanied by a letter of support from ECB.
Do not apply for a licence until you have the letter of support from ECB.
The online application is time limited so it is important to get the necessary paperwork together before applying.

Certificate of Sponsorship
This is the document that will enable a player to apply for a Visa. The certificate itself is not a guarantee of entry – it simply confirms that a job exists for the player, and that the player meets the necessary criteria.

Visas
Visas are issued by the Immigration Officer in the nearest British Office to the players residence, and must be obtained prior to travel. The Immigration Officer has the power to grant or deny entry. Under the new system the Visa will contain bio-metric details to ensure proper identification of the holder.

Sports Visa
After some initial confusion, the vast majority of overseas players who entered last season did so using a Sports Visa. Initially we had been told by the UKBA that Sports Visas would only be issued to players from "low risk countries". They firstly refused to define "low risk", but when pushed confirmed that Australia, New Zealand, Canada and (strangely, but not relevant to cricket) Japan. In the end however it seemed that Sports Visas became widely available with India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan certainly issuing them. The Sports Visa is issued by the British High Commission or Embassy in the persons country of origin to any amateur sportsperson wishing to enter the UK on a short-term basis to play in a "pre-dominently amateur team". The body responsible for the person is their own home government, and the decision to grant a Sports Visa is entirely down to the British Office. The Visa permits the player to receive “reasonable” expenses whilst in this country, but the holder must show that they have sufficient resources to maintain themselves, and be in possession of a return ticket.
The Visa will cost £65.
They will be obtainable from the Immigration Office in the nearest British Office to the player’s residence and must be obtained prior to travel.
Clubs should not bring in any player who does not have the legal right to be in the country or have the legal right to work.
Under the new regulations it is the club chairman and his committee who are legally and personally responsible.
Neil Edwards is available for further advice at 01704 877 103 / neil.edwards3@tesco.net

Youth Mobility Scheme
The Youth Mobility Scheme replaces the old Working Holidaymaker permit, but like the old Working Holidaymaker Permit it will not be acceptable for cricketers. It is intended for holidaymakers; persons coming to this country specifically to play sport are not considered genuine holidaymakers therefore the Scheme does not apply.

Finally
Clubs should not employ anyone who does not have the legal right to be in the country, or have the legal right to work for them. Remember under the new regulations it is the Chairman and Committee who are legally and personally responsible.

Neil Edwards [Secretary, League Cricket Conference]
20th January 2009 (updated April 2010)

FAQ's

Q1 How long will it take to get a Sponsors Licence?
A Provided your application is supported with all the necessary documentation, the process should take no longer than 10 working days, and should be quicker than getting a Work Permit. To ensure this happens please send the Sponsors License application to ECB BEFORE you send it to UKBA.

Q2 How long will it take to get a "Certificate of Sponsorship"?
A Same answer as Q1

Q3 Why do we need NGB support?
A The new system transfers accountability to clubs and NGB's therefore all actions must be supported by relevant body. In actual fact Work Permits UK used to get confirmation of the bona fides of players from ECB, so it that sense nothing has changed.

Q4 First Class counties can get Work Permits for "players only", why can't we?
A ECB believe, and I agree with the philosophy, that players in the recreational game should contribute to the development of the game. To pay a substantial amount of money to a player only misses an opportunity for the club to make a significant contribution to its, and its players, future development.

Q5 The increasing demand of One Day cricket has now created One Day specialists, why must players have played in the longer game before they get support? We are now finding that First Class teams have larger squads of players and include one day players only.
A The basic principle is that only the top players will gain "Certificate of Sponsorship", traditionally the assessment of skill level has been the ability to play cricket in the First Class game. This may well be reconsidered in the future, but as of now, only players that have played the longer game will be considered.

Q6 Do matches in ICL count as first class matches?
A No

Q7 What about previous Test players who have not played first class cricket in last 24 months?
A No

Q8 What happens with substitute professionals?
A If your player is injured or ill and cannot play, you can utilise the services of a substitute professional provided that the arrangement is made between clubs and the players remains the servant of the club to which he is contracted.

Q9 Can overseas amateur players play in a Designated Professional League?,BR> A Yes

Q10 What are reasonable expenses for amatuer overseas players entering under a Visa?
A Reasonable expenses are a grey area but to assist clubs the amount should be no more than required to live on whilst in UK having received free accommodation and used in conjunction with funds held by migrant proof of which are required to enable migrant to obtain visa.

Due to the introduction of the Points Based System for Managed Migration the following categories of immigration have been abolished:


Transitional arrangements are set out at:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/transitionalarrangements

List of Coaching Qualifications regarded as equivalent to UKCC2