The Home Office operates a points-based system (PBS) so that those we need from abroad can work in the UK. The Home Office recognises the RFL as the governing body in the UK for setting the endorsement requirements and issuing endorsements for clubs and players and coaches in Rugby League.

There are two categories in which sports people and coaches can enter the UK and work in a professional capacity for a club in the Super League, Championship or League 1 or for the RFL, Scotland Rugby League or Wales Rugby League.  The two categories are known as the Tier 2 (Sportsperson) and Tier 5 Temporary Worker (Creative and Sporting).

The Tier 2 (Sportsperson) category is for elite sportspeople and coaches who are internationally established at the highest level and whose employment will make a significant contribution to the development of their sport at the highest level in the UK, and who will base themselves in the UK.

The Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Creative and Sporting category is for sportspeople (and their entourage where appropriate) and coaches who are internationally established at the highest level in their sport, and/or will make a significant contribution to the development of their sport in the UK. This category is for temporary workers who come to the UK for up to 12 months.

Under the Home Office PBS, Super League, Championship and League 1 clubs need to obtain a ‘Sponsor Licence’ from UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) in order to bring into the country migrant workers as either players or coaches from outside the EU.  As part of obtaining a licence, a club requires a sponsor governing body endorsement.

Once a club has a sponsor licence they then apply to the RFL for a separate governing body endorsement in relation to each migrant they wish to sponsor (employ).

The attached document sets out the requirements and process that clubs must fulfil to get either a governing body endorsement for either their sponsor licence or to sponsor an individual player or coach.