Argentinian Footballer Awaiting Decision on Tier 2 Sportsperson Visa

It has been reported that the new Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo, has been left in limbo as he is still awaiting a decision for his Tier 2 visa to play for the football club in the UK. The Argentinian national who has been signed by United for 2 weeks is currently in Spain trying to obtain a Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa to finalize his switch to Manchester. The reason for the delay is reportedly a police case opened against Rojo in Argentina, despite the fact he has never actually been charged for the alleged incident.

Louis Van Gaal: Marcos Rojo is Working on his Permit

Rojo, had an immigration interview at the Argentinian Embassy in Madrid last week and is still awaiting the outcome in Spain. The delay is reportedly due to an altercation the 24 year old professional footballer had with his neighbor in 2010. Although he was never charged, immigration officials wanted to interview him about the incident, which could be grounds for refusing him a visa.

At the public introduction of Angel Di Maria, another Argentinian national joining Manchester United football club, the teams manager Louis Van Gaal commented on the differences in the player’s  visa process:

“Marcos Rojo is working on his permit. He must go abroad for it.  He is abroad in the [Argentine] embassy in Madrid but it’s taking more time than expected. The difference with Di Maria is that he has an Italian passport and Rojo does not.”

Football Players Applying under Tier 2 Sportsperson

If you are a football player sponsored by a club in the UK, you will not need to make a new application if you move on loan to another club in the UK. However, if you are permanently transferred to another football club in the UK, then you must submit a new visa application and for this you will be required to have a new Certificate of Sponsorship and a new endorsement from a governing body.

The Football Association chairman, Greg Dyke stated last year in September the complexity of the Immigration rules regarding work permits:

“We should also examine how the current work permit system operates — and it is worth pointing out that roughly 30 per cent [including Football League players] of the players who received work permits this summer did not meet the standard criteria — and we should review the loan system to see if it can be made more effective in terms of developing players.”

Tier 2 (Sportsperson) Visa Overview

The Tier 2 Sportsperson route of the Points Based System is for elite sports people and coaches who are internationally established at the highest level. Applicants under this route would be expected to make a significant contribution to the development of their chosen sport in the UK. The company sponsoring you will need to issue you with a certificate of sponsorship and will need to ensure that the salary on offer and your qualifications will enable you to satisfy the immigration rules. You will be granted temporary residence in the UK and will be permitted to live and work for the duration of your employment or the time given in your certificate of sponsorship.

Legal Advice & Successful Tier 2 Sportsperson Applications

Our team of experienced and professionally qualified immigration solicitors and barristers will be able to guide you through the process of making a visa application to the UK step by step and limit the possibility of failure by complying with the strict letter of law.

Contact us so that we can review your case and provide you with an assessment.

Call Now Button search previous next tag category expand menu location phone mail time cart zoom edit close