Visa and immigration at the Olympics

The 2024 Paris Olympic Games has gripped the world’s attention. We’ve seen stunning performances from superstar athletes such as Simone Biles, Stephen Nedoroscik, Keely Hodgkinson, Zheng Qinwen, Kellie Harrington, Rebeca Andrade, and more, to team victories such as the Irish rowing team and the US figure skating team, plus many yet to come. Safe to say, this year’s games have had viewers glued to the edge of their seats.

Every four years, qualifying for and travelling to the Olympic Games is the aim of the world’s elite athletes. However, athletes at this level frequently travel internationally for other competitions and training opportunities. With the 2028 Olympic Games set to be held in Los Angeles, California, and many international competitions coming up in between, it is vital for athletes to have their visa and immigration requirements fulfilled ahead of time.

What are the key visa and immigration considerations for athletes travelling abroad?

The practicalities

Visa types

If you are travelling to a country where a visa is required, and there is no exemption in place for those participating in the event, you need to be aware of what type of visa to apply for. Athletes may require a specific type of visa to enter the country with the intention of competing in a competition.

The type of visa may also depend on whether the event you intend to participate in is amateur or professional. If you are being paid or may potentially win monetary prizes at the event, then you may require a work permit in addition to the visa.

Supporting materials

When applying for a visa, you may need to submit documentation proving your level, intentions within the country (such as documentation supporting your participation in the event), and/or further information. You may need to show evidence of certain vaccinations or other medical clearances.

Time frames

Visa waiting times need to be taken into consideration, as these can occasionally cause issues. For example, in 2022, due to the backlog of applications in the wake of the pandemic, the World Athletics Championships, held in Oregon, U.S., saw a number of participants delayed or unable to attend due to visa issues.

Reuters reported that Kenyan athlete Ferdinand Omanyala was granted a visa fewer than 24 hours ahead of his race. Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported that 375 athletes were affected by delays.

Mauve GBE and Immigration Manager, Emma Prodromou notes:

“Passports and their expiry dates are often the first thing I notice that will cause a potential issue [for those travelling to work abroad]. This can include if the passport has insufficient validity to travel or support a work visa or permit duration, or it doesn’t have enough back-to-back blank pages to support immigration stamps.

“Often, documents used to augment an application are time-sensitive or won’t meet the immigration authorities' requirements. It is important to consult with an expert who knows if an abridged birth certificate would be accepted, or if a police clearance must be submitted within 90 days of issuance. It is important to consider what language the document needs to be in, if certified translations are required, and who has the authority to provide those services.”

Where are you travelling to and from?

If, for example, you are a citizen of the country or a country which has a free travel agreement with the host country, then you will not need a visa to enter the country and work there for a sporting event. However, if you are travelling to a country where individuals of your nationality typically require a visa, you will need to arrange this ahead of time.

Athletes from certain countries may struggle to obtain visas to compete abroad. Last year, Nigerian athletes struggled to obtain visas to attend the World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas – a qualifying event for the 2024 Olympics. And Nigerian runner Ese Brume was denied a visa for China, to compete in another Olympic qualifier: the Shanghai Diamond League.

It is also important for participants to be aware of their immigration status within their home country. To attend the Tokyo Olympics, Guatemalan-born runner Luis Grijalva had to engage in a complicated visa process to be allowed to leave and re-enter the United States, where he has lived since he was one year old.

A recipient of DACA – the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programme, the USA’s immigration programme which protects child immigrants, Grijalva has now solidified his status within the US and has been able to comfortably travel to Paris for this year’s Olympics.

How long are you planning to stay?

If you are travelling to a country where you would typically require a visa and are staying for up to 90 days, the host country may implement a 90-day work permit exemption, as is the case with the Paris Olympics. This exemption applies to the athletes themselves, as well as accompanying staff and those affiliated with the event.

If you are planning to stay beyond 90 days, it is crucial to plan accordingly. For example, anyone participating in the Paris Olympics who requires a long-stay visa, or a short-stay visa outside of the assigned dates must follow the standard application process .

What are the local immigration regulations for athletes?

While Paris has implemented the 90-day work permit exemption for those competing at the Olympics, other countries will implement different rules for events held there. As with the Kenyan and Nigerian athletes previously mentioned, athletes travelling abroad to compete may need to submit visa applications well in advance in order to travel.

Mauve Director of Legal and Compliance Lorna Ferrie, warns that it is key to be aware of the local regulations in the country holding the event.

“Take the case of [tennis champion] Novak Djockovic, who was denied entry to Australia over his vaccination status [in 2022] and risked missing the Australian Open because of this. While he was able to get the decision overturned and return to Australia, athletes with less access to strong legal support may struggle in a similar situation. It’s key to be fully aware of all local regulations when travelling to compete, so that you don’t run into difficulties at the last minute.”

How Mauve Group can help

Most elite athletes travelling abroad can access permit exemptions or will be applying as individuals. But many athletes who are travelling to compete in world championships, may require support with visa and immigration.

Mauve Group is here to support sporting organisations with global employment. With over 28 years of experience supporting organisations of all sizes across 70+ sectors, and a flourishing partnership with Team Wales, Mauve Group offers a range of global employment solutions and services including Employer of Record, Global Visa & Immigration services, Consultancy Services, Global Payroll, and more. Contact our team, today.