Hamro Foundation Essex League

The Government's Points Based Managed Migration system means that cricket clubs will 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 Home Office approval of ECB's Governing Body Endorsement requirement process, the guidance document, together with application pack to be used when applying for these endorsements are found at the foot of this page.

For further information on the Points Based Managed Migration System, please see the Home Office website.

• Annexes 3, 7 and 8 are for use for Non First Class endorsement applications.

• Annex 9 is for use in all relevant applications.

The ECB cannot provide advice or guidance on immigration routes, processes or an individual’s status. You will need to contact a registered immigration adviser who is OISC registered or by calling either of the numbers listed in useful contacts.

Applications for the 2024 season can be submitted from 1st September 2023. All endorsements for players and player-coaches will be issued with an effective from date of 1st September 2023, to a maximum of 30th September 2024 or to length of contract, whichever date is sooner. ECB Core Coach Courses will be available to book via the CVENT system, when course dates are confirmed.   

For clubs going through this process for the first time please click here for a Step by Step Guide (PDF).

Current processing times for all endorsement applications are 7-10 working days from receipt of complete applications, (this includes payment)

PLEASE NOTE: UPDATE July 2023: For applicants needing to complete the Safeguarding Modules as part of the application, and/or a Health & Safety Assessment, these can now be completed online. Please contact either UK Coaching or your local County Cricket Board for more information with regards to booking on the Safeguarding and a County Cricket Board to arrange on online Health & Safety Assessment.

Certificates of Sponsorship must be issued in line with the migrant endorsement, they should not be issued for longer. Player Only and Player-Coach endorsements will only be issued until the end of the season in which the application is received. Any club found to be issuing Certificates of Sponsorship for longer than the endorsement will be in breach of Home Office process and will be reported directly to them.

Documents

• Governing body criteria document in full 2024 (PDF)

• Non UK Residents Vetting Form (PDF)

• ECB Coaches Code of Conduct (PDF)

• Application BACS payment guidance (PDF)
  

• Annex 3 (PDF)
  

• Annex 7(PDF)

• Annex 8 (PDF)

• Annex 9 (PDF)

• Coaching Plan Template (PDF)

Additional information

• Additional Information For Cricket Clubs October 2021(PDF)

• AUGST UPDATE - Additional Information - Immigration / Registration - Assessment Process

• ECB Health and Safety Pack (PDF)

• Home Office Visa Overview August 2023(PDF)

• Overseas Players Amateur v Professional Definitions (PDF)

Useful contacts

• ECB Governing Body Endorsements: managedmigration@ecb.co.uk 

• Immigration Enquiry Bureau / Sponsor & Employer Enquiries: 0300 123 4699 or BusinessHelpdesk@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.

The ECB is not registered to give advice on immigration. Information on aspects of immigration policy and law can be found on the Home Office website.

Clubs are advised to allow sufficient time for entry clearance to be granted. The time needed to obtain entry clearance may vary depending upon where the player is applying. Service standards for each post are set out on the Home Office website.

This site also contains a guide to Visa processing times for specific overseas posts.