You may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as the dependent partner of an International Sportsperson up to 28 days before completing five years in the UK under the International Sportsperson or Tier 2 General Dependant visa category. The ILR application must be submitted online using the SET (O) form and must comply with the requirements outlined in Appendix International Sportsperson of the UK Immigration Rules. Applicants can opt for the Priority or Super Priority Service to receive an expedited decision on their ILR application.

To qualify for ILR as an International Sportsperson dependant, the primary visa holder must either be applying for ILR simultaneously or must have already obtained ILR as an International Sportsperson. Dependents, including partners and children, must submit their ILR application online via the official UK government portal using the designated form, “Settle in the UK in various immigration categories: form SET(O).”

Aden & Co Solicitors is a leading UK immigration law firm renowned for delivering high-quality legal services in UK visa and immigration matters. Our team of fully qualified and experienced immigration solicitors has consistently received 5-star ratings from 99% of our clients, reflecting our exceptional service standards.

Our expert immigration solicitors offer comprehensive legal assistance and representation for ILR applications as International Sportsperson dependants on a fixed-fee basis. You can seek free initial immigration advice by submitting an online inquiry or schedule a consultation with one of our specialist dependant visa solicitors for in-depth legal guidance on your ILR application.

ILR Eligibility Criteria for Dependants of an International Sportsperson

Dependants of an International Sportsperson must meet specific eligibility requirements to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK. Below are the key conditions that must be satisfied:

• Valid Application

The applicant must submit a valid ILR application from within the UK as a dependant of an International Sportsperson.

• Sponsor’s Immigration Status

The applicant must be the partner or child of an International Sportsperson who:

• Has submitted a valid ILR application under the International Sportsperson route, which is awaiting a decision; or
• Has obtained ILR or British citizenship, provided that they previously held permission under the International Sportsperson route when applying for ILR. In this case, the applicant must have been granted permission as their dependant at that time or must be applying as a child born in the UK before the sponsor settled.

• Qualifying Period Requirement

The applicant must have legally resided in the UK as a dependant of an International Sportsperson for a continuous period of five years.

• Continuous Residence Requirement

The applicant must satisfy the continuous residence criteria as outlined in Appendix Continuous Residence throughout the qualifying period.

• Suitability Requirement

The application must not fall under refusal based on the grounds specified in Part 9 of the Immigration Rules.

• Relationship Requirement

The applicant must demonstrate a genuine and subsisting relationship with the sponsor, in accordance with Appendix International Sportsperson of the Immigration Rules.

• Age and Care Requirement for Dependant Children

• If applying as a dependant child, the applicant must be under 18 at the time of application, unless they were last granted permission as a dependant child of their parent(s).
• If under 18, there must be appropriate care and accommodation arrangements in compliance with UK laws and regulations.

• English Language Requirement

Unless exempt, the applicant must demonstrate English language proficiency at a minimum of B1 level in speaking and listening under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This requirement must be met as outlined in Appendix English Language of the Immigration Rules.

• Knowledge of Life in the UK Requirement

Applicants aged 18 or above must pass the Life in the UK Test, as per Appendix KOL UK.

• Compliance with UK Immigration Laws

The applicant must not:

• Be in breach of UK immigration laws (except where paragraph 39E applies, which allows some exceptions for overstaying); or
• Be on immigration bail at the time of application.

Eligibility Criteria for Dependents of an International Sportsperson

To qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a dependent of an International Sportsperson, the applicant must be the partner or child of the sponsoring International Sportsperson under one of the following conditions:

• The sponsoring International Sportsperson is being granted ILR at the same time under the International Sportsperson category.
• The sponsoring International Sportsperson is already settled in the UK, either by holding ILR or acquiring British citizenship, provided that they previously had leave to enter or remain under the International Sportsperson route when applying for ILR. In this case, the applicant must either:
  • Have had valid leave to enter or remain as the partner or child of the sponsoring International Sportsperson at that time, or
  • Be applying as the child of the sponsoring International Sportsperson and have been born in the UK before the sponsor was granted ILR.

Additional Requirements for Dependents

The applicant must meet one of the following conditions:

• They must have last been granted leave to enter or remain as a dependent partner or child of the sponsoring International Sportsperson.
• If born in the UK, they must be applying as the child of the sponsoring International Sportsperson.

Specific Criteria for Partners

If the applicant is applying for ILR as a partner, both the applicant and the sponsoring International Sportsperson must satisfy the relationship criteria outlined in Appendix International Sportsperson of the UK Immigration Rules. Furthermore, the relationship requirements must have been continuously met for the five years preceding the ILR application date.

Specific Criteria for Children

If the applicant is a child seeking ILR, the non-sponsoring parent (if applicable) must either:

• Be applying for ILR at the same time, or
• Already be settled in the UK or hold British citizenship.

However, exceptions apply in cases where:

• The sponsoring International Sportsperson is the child’s sole surviving parent.
• The sponsoring International Sportsperson has sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing.
• The decision-maker determines that there are serious and compelling reasons to grant ILR as a dependent child.

Eligibility Criteria for Dependent Child Visa – UK

Age and Care Requirements

To qualify as a dependent child, the applicant must be under 18 years old at the time of application, unless they were previously granted leave as a dependent child of their parent(s). If the child is 16 or older, they must not be living independently.

For applicants under 18, appropriate care and accommodation arrangements must be in place in the UK, ensuring full compliance with relevant UK laws and child welfare regulations.

Qualifying Period Requirement

The applicant must have lawfully resided in the UK for a continuous period of five years with valid leave as the dependent partner of an International Sportsperson.

Continuous Residence Requirement

The applicant must satisfy the continuous residence criteria outlined in Appendix Continuous Residence throughout the required five-year period.

English Language Requirement

Unless exempt, the applicant must demonstrate proficiency in English, meeting at least level B1 in speaking and listening on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The applicant must fulfill the English language requirement as specified in Appendix English Language.

Knowledge of Life in the UK Requirement

For applicants aged 18 or above, meeting the Knowledge of Life in the UK requirement is mandatory, as per the guidelines detailed in Appendix KOL UK.

Expedited ILR Processing for International Sportsperson Dependants

At Aden & Co Solicitors, our expert immigration team specializes in accelerating the processing of ILR applications for dependants of international sportspersons. Through the Priority Service or Super Priority Service, we ensure that your application receives an expedited decision, significantly reducing waiting times that could otherwise extend for months or even years.

Our dedicated immigration solicitors meticulously prepare and submit your application, leveraging fast-track services to facilitate a swift and efficient outcome. By choosing our expertise, you can secure your settlement status in the UK without unnecessary delays.

Aden & Co Solicitors, renowned for their expertise in immigration law, are officially registered with the Home Office, UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI), and its commercial partner, UKVCAS Sopra Steria. We facilitate Priority and Super Priority Services, ensuring expedited processing of your immigration applications. Through the Priority Service, applicants typically receive a decision within five working days, while the Super Priority Service guarantees a decision within 24 hours, usually by the end of the next business day.

How Can Aden & Co Solicitors Assist You?

At Aden & Co Solicitors, our team of expert immigration solicitors offers professional legal guidance and representation on a fixed-fee basis for your UK visa and immigration applications. Our fixed fee covers all legal work required until the Home Office UKVI reaches a decision on your application.

Comprehensive Immigration Services

Our solicitors handle every aspect of your immigration application, including:

• Legal Consultation & Eligibility Assessment – We provide expert advice on the specific legal requirements for a successful immigration application.
• Document Guidance – You will receive a detailed, tailored checklist of the required supporting documents to strengthen your case.
• Document Evaluation – We meticulously review your documents to ensure full compliance with UK immigration rules and guidelines.
• Application Form Completion – Our specialists will accurately complete your immigration application form.
• Priority & Super Priority Application Submission – Where applicable, we will submit your application via the Priority or Super Priority service to expedite the decision process.
• Biometric Appointment Booking – We will schedule your biometric enrollment appointment at the designated application center.
• Detailed Cover Letter Preparation – A professionally drafted cover letter will be included to outline the legal framework and demonstrate how your application satisfies the Home Office’s requirements.
• Document Upload & Submission – Before your biometric appointment, we will securely upload all supporting documents to the Home Office system.
• Ongoing Case Management – We will handle all necessary follow-ups with the Home Office UKVI until a final decision is made.

One-Off Immigration Legal Services

If you do not require full legal representation, Aden & Co Solicitors also offers a variety of one-off legal services for UK visa and immigration applications. These tailored services allow you to access professional legal assistance without committing to a full-service package.

Fixed Fees for Dependant Visa Applications – Aden & Co Solicitors

At Aden & Co Solicitors, we offer transparent and competitive fixed fees for dependant visa applications. Our pricing structure is outlined below:

The final fee is determined based on the complexity of the case and the level of legal work required. Please note that in addition to our fixed fees, applicants must also pay the Home Office UKVI application fees separately.