Hamro Foundation Essex League - Overseas Players

Registration of Players Definitions
Category 1:

A Player may be registered as a “Category 1 Player” if they:
(a) are either (i) a British or Irish citizen; or (ii) an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme; or
(b) have been resident in England and Wales for a minimum of 210 days between 1 April and 31 March in the year preceding their participation in the relevant premier League; and
(c) have not played cricket played as a local/domestic player in any ICC Full Member Country (except England) in the 12-month period up to and including 31 March before the season in question, or at any time subsequently before or after applying to be and being registered as a Category 1 Player.

Point c above is only in relation to those players covered by point b.

It is the responsibility of the player to ensure they provide the League with the necessary paperwork (such as bank statements and/or utility bills) to evidence their residency for the purpose of (b) above.

The Premier League Registration Secretary or Premier League Executive Committee will be responsible for determining whether a player has met the necessary requirements and shall have full discretion in the matter.

Category 3: Players not eligible to be registered as a Category 1 Player must be registered as a “Category 3 Player” if they wish to take part in the League. Teams may register more than one Category 3 Player as part of their club (subject to League rules) but must not field more than one (1) Category 3 Player in the 1st XI at any one time. Clubs must fill in this form to register a Cat 3 player - before then registering them on Play Cricket.
Information on Overseas Players For Clubs

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 2, 5 and 6 are for use for County Cricket Boards endorsement applications.
  • Annexes 1,4,5 and 6 are used for First Class endorsement applications.
  • 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 2023 season can be submitted from 1 September 2022. All endorsements for players and player-coaches will be issued with an effective from date of 1 September 2022, to a maximum of 30 September 2023 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 January 2023: For applicants needing to complete a Safeguarding Module as part of the application, these can now be completed online. Please contact either UK Coaching or your local County Cricket Board for more information on booking a course

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

Additional information

Useful contacts

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.