Fri 11th Sep 2015Non-EEA Players and Grooms immigration talks The HPA and Polopermits in discussion with the Home Office
The Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) and Polopermits have been in talks with the Home Office about potential changes to immigration which may impact on South American grooms, horse trainers and players employed within the UK All migrant applications and Certificates of Sponsorship assigned in the sporting sector must be endorsed by the sport’s Governing Body and the Home Office is in the process of conducting routine meetings with each sport’s Governing Body. As part of that process, Home Office representatives met with the HPA in August to discuss the revised criteria, which the HPA had put forward for their consideration and comments. The current HPA endorsement criteria for polo players and grooms were agreed with the Home Office in 2008 when the Points Based System replaced the Work Permit system. At the meeting, the Home Office emphasised to the HPA that the published purpose of the Tier 5 Sporting route is, “For players and coaches internationally established at the highest level and/or whose employment will make a significant contribution to the development of the sport at the highest level in the UK, and that the post cannot be filled by a suitable settled worker.” The Home Office have put forward that the HPA should consider raising the endorsement criteria to fall more closely in line with the above, as have other equestrian sports. Specifically, they have suggested the HPA consider restricting the criteria to players of 5 goals and above, playing at the highest level, and to the grooms travelling with them. The HPA have put their case to the Home Office, defending the strength of the sport under the current criteria, and are awaiting a response. The HPA hope that a sensible, and workable, criteria can be agreed for the benefit of the sport. In any event, sponsors seeking endorsements for players will be required to confirm that the employment is the player’s primary employment and that any supplementary employment meets the immigration rules. Polo Times spoke to David Morley at Polopermits, who said, “The HPA and Polopermits are continuing to discuss any potential changes with the Home Office. We believe that we will be able to come to a sensible agreement going forward that won’t cause disruption to the 2016 summer polo season. We will keep everyone up-to-date with any developments”. For further information about immigration, click here to visit the Polopermits website. Photograph: The HPA are in discussions with the Home Office about immigration changes
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