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.