International Player Clearance

International clearance is a World Rugby requirement: a player or team is not eligible to play rugby in another country at any level until they have a valid international clearance from their home governing rugby union. The clearance confirms that the player has no outstanding financial or disciplinary issues with their home union, club, or competitions.

Clubs and players traveling from a foreign country (even exhibition matches) to the United States should expect to be asked for their letters of approval from their home union. It is up to the visiting club or player to obtain the international clearance from their national union.

The requirement applies to all players: male and female, senior and junior, amateur and professional. There are no exceptions. USA Rugby does not have discretion to allow players to play without a clearance. It is the player’s responsibility to ensure they have an international clearance before they play.

You should apply at least two weeks before you intend to play rugby in another National Union. All USA players must complete the Individual Outbound form and return to USA Rugby: tours@usa.rugby.

Steps may differ depending on the home National Union, but generally the process is as follows:

1. The player must complete, in full, and sign the appropriate international clearance form used by the National Union the player is coming from. Player may need to request the form from their home club.
2. The player must send this to their overseas club to approve.
3. The overseas club will forward this on to its National Union, who will approve and sign the clearance and forward it to USA Rugby.
4. USA Rugby will finalize the clearance and inform the club and player that the player has been cleared.

NOTE: If the correct process was not followed the international clearance may take longer to complete.

Outstanding financial obligations under the player's contract with their previous club or National Union, or a current suspension on disciplinary grounds are reasons the clearance may be declined or withheld.

Failing to complete the clearance process properly, including not signing the clearance form, or failing to obtain approval from the Provincial Union or National Union.

ONLY send clearance forms to USA Rugby when all required fields of the form have been completed correctly. If the correct process has not been followed, your clearance will not be processed.

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All players leaving or entering the USA must complete a form in order to be eligible to play in the USA or the destination country.

*Forms must be submitted at least four weeks before departure date.

Applying for Approval to Play Internationally

When registered clubs and players plan to play rugby in another country, it is mandatory that they receive "approval" from their governing rugby union. The union researches the applicants background and determines the applicants "standing" (registration, behavior, contractual obligations, etc.). The applicants standing will determine whether approval is granted or denied, ie individuals (player registration) and clubs (Club registration) must be registered and in good standing. Once an applicants standing is determined, a letter is sent to the applicant, and the foreign union involved.

Receiving approval to play in a foreign union is mandatory worldwide. Clubs and players traveling from the USA to play in a foreign country (even exhibition matches) should expect to be asked for their letters of approval from USA Rugby. Likewise, U.S. clubs planning to host foreign clubs or players should also request the appropriate approval letters obtained by the visiting club or player. In each case, it is up to the visiting club or player to obtain approval from their national union. A club wishing to host an incoming team must be currently registered with USA Rugby and in good standing.

Please note that international tour applications (clubs inbound and outbound) must be submitted at least four weeks prior to the date of departure. International transfers (individual inbound and outbound) must be submitted at least three weeks prior to date of departure. Please plan accordingly.

*USA Rugby is unable to consider or approve tour requests from individuals and clubs that are not current members of USA Rugby (registered within the membership system).

All USA players must complete the Individual Outbound form and return it to USA Rugby email tours@usa.rugby.

Teams leaving the USA to play in another country must complete the form in Rugby Xplorer at least four weeks before leaving the United States. The club requesting the tour application must be currently registered with USA Rugby, all players and coaches must be registered to the traveling club. The Club Admin should log in to their Rugby Xplorer account > Admin Portal > Administration > Tour Application > Submit Tour Application Form.

Please check with your local home union in your country as to their process. There will be a form that needs to be filled out and submitted to them.

Please check with your local home union in your country as to their process. There will be a form that needs to be filled out and submitted to them.