The Football Association announced on Wednesday that English clubs will now have the opportunity to sign a specified number of players who do not meet the points requirements for work permits.
The interior ministry has approved new criteria for international player visas, known as the Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) Criteria.
Starting from the opening of the transfer window on June 14, Premier League and Championship teams will be allowed to sign up to four players who do not meet the points requirements. League One and League Two teams will have the option to sign two such players.
While the majority of players coming to England from overseas will still be subject to the existing points-based system, this new solution aims to provide additional access to international talent that falls outside the current GBE criteria.
The intention is to give English clubs more flexibility in signing players who may not meet the traditional work permit requirements but are deemed to possess the necessary qualities to contribute to the sport in the country.
"As English football's governing body, we oversee the whole football ecosystem, and we wanted to create a new model which would meet the different objectives of our football stakeholders," FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham said.
"We worked closely with the clubs and the leagues, and have designed a progressive solution which will give clubs additional access to international talent and incentivise playing opportunities for English talent."
The Premier League and the English Football League (EFL) have also committed to work with the FA on improving the pathway for talented English youngsters.
(With Reuters inputs)
