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Written question asked by Alex Barros-Curtis (Labour) on Thursday, 10 September 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 September 2026. It was answered by Jo White (Labour) on Monday, 21 September 2026 on behalf of the Home Office.

Sports: Visas

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to introduce (a) a broader fast-track visa waiver programme for major sporting events and (b) an extension to the eligibility requirements for a Paid Permitted Engagement visa.

Answer

The Standard Visitor route already has generous provisions for fans, sportspeople, and the personal and technical staff of sportspeople, coming to the UK to attend a sporting event. Non-visa nationals (such as visitors from the EU/EEA or the United States) do not require a visa to visit the UK and can travel on an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

For those that do require a visa, the UK’s service standards for processing a visa are already among the fastest in the world and paid-for priority services are available for those who require an even faster decision.

The Standard Visitor route Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) rules are also generous. These rules exceptionally permit professional sportspersons to be paid for carrying out an activity directly relating to their profession for the first 30 days of their visit, provided they have been invited by a sports organisation, agent, or broadcaster based in the UK.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
28939
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Visas Sports
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk