The type of entry visa required if you are participating in the London Marathon

The London Marathon, which will require some participants to obtain a visa in order to enter the UK, is due to take place on 21 April 2024.

If you are looking to enter the UK to participate in the London Marathon, you may need to obtain a visa before you are able to visit the UK. As a visa national, you will be required to apply for and be granted a Standard UK Visitor visa prior to entering the UK.

The UK Visitor visa allows holders to undertake certain permitted activities during their stay in the UK. As a sports person, you are permitted to take part in a sports tournament or sports event, such as the London Marathon, as an individual or part of a team.

Depending on the type of activities you plan to undertake during your stay in the UK, you are also permitted to take part in trials, provided they are not in front of a paying audience, and participate in short periods of training, provided they are not being paid by a UK sporting body.

Please note that the UK Visitor rules require careful consideration, as the permitted activities are narrowly defined and need to be adhered to in order to avoid breaching the Immigration Rules.

For international entries, please seek information on applying to enter the London Marathon via the TCS London Marathon website, as you may be required to apply through one of the approved international tour operators.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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