The UKBA has recognised the Rugby Football Union (RFU) as the governing body in England for setting the endorsement requirements and issuing endorsements. In Ireland, Ulster Rugby is the UKBA recognised body, while in Wales the UKBA recognised body responsible for setting endorsement requirements and issuing endorsements in the Welsh Rugby Union.
UK Rugby Visa Requirements for any non-UK Born Person
It is the responsibility of the UK club to ensure a player has the appropriate visa in order to be registered and, where applicable, contracted.
Player Registration
Player registration is paramount to the integrity of England RFU competitions and is administered in accordance with the Adult Player Registration Regulations. More information regarding player registration can be found here.
Employing a Sportsperson in Rugby Union
A club which is seeking to employ a player or coach must gain a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) to act as a Sponsor and another GBE to confirm that the player or coach meets the set requirements.
Governing Body Endorsements will be issued for a period appropriate to the period of approval for sponsorship or the tier under which the application is being made, that is:
- As a Sponsor (the club) - Tier 2 or Tier 5 - for 4 years
- Migrant (the player) Tier 2 Sport - 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 (the player) Tier 5 sporting - length of contract or up to 12 months, whichever is the shorter period.
The salary is usually agreed as part of the contract between the individual and the employer. This should be at least equal to those normally given to a 'resident worker' for this work. Where the salary quoted appears to be lower than expected we will discuss with the players' representatives.
Endorsement Requirements
To be a sponsor
The Rugby Football Union may act as a sponsor in its own right, or issue a Governing Body Endorsement for a club to become a Sponsor if the club is participating in one of the following leagues:
- i. English Premiership
- ii. English Championship
For a player
In order for a migrant endorsement to be awarded, the player must meet one of the requirements listed below:
- i. A player must have played in at least one World Rugby ranking international test match (15-a-side), during the 24 months immediately prior to the date of application for one of the following World Rugby High Performance Tier 1 countries:
Tier 1 countries: Argentina; Australia; England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, New Zealand; South Africa, Wales
- ii. A player must have played in at least three World Rugby ranking international test matches (15-a-side), during the 24 months immediately prior to the date of application for one of the following World Rugby High Performance Tier 2 countries:
Tier 2 countries: Canada; Fiji; Georgia, Japan; Namibia, Romania; Samoa; Tonga; United States of America, Uruguay
- iii. A player must have played in at least one World Rugby ranking international match (15-a-side), during the 24 months immediately prior to the date of application from one of the World Rugby Tier 2 countries listed in ii. above and have played at least 50% of games, during the 24 months immediately prior to the application in one of the leagues listed in v. below.
- iv. A player must have played in at least three World Rugby ranking international test matches (15-a-side), during the 24 months immediately prior to the date of application for a World Rugby Performance Tier 3 country and have played in a minimum of 10 full international test matches (15-a-side), during their playing career.
- v. A player must have played in at least 75% of matches, during the 24 months immediately prior to the date of application in the following leagues: Pro 12 and European Competitions, Super Rugby, Top 14 and European Competitions, English Premiership and European Competitions, English Championship, Welsh Premiership, Scottish Premiership.
Exclusions from selection due to injury will be a factor that is taken into account when applying the requirements. Clubs should submit supporting medical evidence in such cases stipulating the number of games the player has missed.
For a Director of Rugby/Head Coach
In order for a migrant endorsement to be awarded to a Director of Rugby/Head Coach, a migrant must meet one of the requirements listed below:
- A migrant must have been contracted in a Director of Rugby or Head Coach role to a senior 15-a-side full international team that is currently ranked in the top 12 of the World Rugby rankings for a minimum of 12 months, during the 48 months immediately prior to the date of application.
OR
- A migrant must have been contracted in a Director of Rugby or Head Coach role for a minimum of 12 months, during the 48 months immediately prior to the date of application for a team that is currently competing in one of the following leagues:
- English Championship
- English Premiership
- Pro12
- Scottish Premiership
- Super Rugby
- Top 14
- Welsh Premier Division
It should be noted that a club/union may have only one migrant endorsement for a Director of Rugby and one for a Head Coach. In addition, no endorsements are available for player/coaches. Applications will only be considered as a player or as a Director of Rugby or Head Coach.
For an Assistant Coach / Skills Coach
In order for a migrant endorsement to be awarded to an Assistant Coach / Skills Coach, a migrant must meet one of the requirements listed below:
- A migrant must have been contracted in an Assistant Coach / Skills Coach role to a senior 15-a-side full international team that is currently ranked in the top 12 of the World Rugby rankings for a minimum of 12 months, during the 48 months immediately prior to the date of application.
OR
- A migrant must have been contracted in an Assistant Coach / Skills Coach role for a minimum of 12 months, during the 48 months immediately prior to the date of application for a team that is currently competing in one of the following leagues:
- English Championship
- English Premiership
- Pro 12
- Scottish Premiership
- Welsh Premier Division
It should be noted that no endorsements are available for player/coaches. Applications will only be considered as a player or as an Assistant Coach / Skills Coach.
For a Head of Performance
In order for a migrant endorsement to be awarded to a Head of Performance, a migrant must meet one of the requirements listed below:
- A migrant must have been contracted in a Head of Performance role to a senior 15-a-side full international team that is currently ranked in the top 12 of the World Rugby rankings for a minimum of 24 months, during the 48 months immediately prior to the date of application.
OR
- A migrant must have been contracted in a Head of Performance role for a minimum of 24 months, during the 48 months immediately prior to the date of application for a team that is currently competing in one of the following leagues:
- English Championship
- English Premiership
- Pro 12
- Scottish Premiership
- Super Rugby
- Top 14
- Welsh Premier Division
In addition, the migrant must hold a degree in Sports and Exercise Science or Performance Analysis or a related discipline.It should be noted that a club/union may have only one migrant endorsement for a Head of Performance role.
The Rugby Players' Association (RPA)
Founded in 1988, the Rugby Players' Association is the representative body and collective voice of elite rugby players in England.
Visalogic is proud to have a strong relationship with the RPA and provide a service to its members.