A guide to the new immigration rules for players coming to the Premier League and EFL: Stephen O’Flaherty writes for LawInSport

04 December 2020

With the opening of the transfer window on 2 January 2021, UK football clubs will be in uncharted territory. Not only will they face the prospect of signing European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals for the first time following the end of freedom of movement, but they will also have to navigate the UK’s new immigration system (applicable to all immigrants) and The Football Association’s new Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) criteria (relating specifically to work permits for overseas footballers wanting to play in England & Wales).