Change of Allegiance
In order to be eligible to represent a country, an athlete must be a citizen of that country or a permanent resident of that country for at least 3 years.
Summary
If an athlete has previously competed for one country and wishes to compete for a different country, they must meet the applicable eligibility rules for representing the new country and have change-of-allegiance paperwork on file with WMA at least 30 days prior to the registration deadline for the applicable championship.
Due to the time it takes for each step of the application process to be completed (including a signature from the current country, then a signature from the new country, then finally a signature from the WMA Secretary), it is recommended that athletes begin this process well in advance of the 30-day deadline. In order for the change-of-allegiance to be valid, the application must have reached the final step of the process, and the approved paperwork must be on file with WMA at least 30 days prior to the registration deadline for the applicable championship.
Process
- Download and complete the WMA Change-of-Allegiance Application Form (PDF)
- Make copies of the required documents specified on the form and include them with your application
- Send the completed form and required documents to the Masters governing body of your current country (the country you wish to change FROM)
- Your current country will review your application and forward it to your new country (the country you wish to change TO)
- Your new country will review your application and forward it to the WMA Secretary
Applicable WMA Rules
8. Designation for Competition
8.1 A Masters Athlete shall compete in WMA or Regional championships only for the Country of which he is a citizen or permanent resident
unless otherwise permitted in these By-Laws. For purposes of these By-Laws the term “permanent resident” shall mean a Masters Athlete
residing in a Country for at least three (3) years.
8.2 A Masters Athlete who is a citizen of two (2) Countries or who is a permanent resident of a Country of which such Masters Athlete is not a
citizen, and who has not previously competed as a Master Athlete, may first compete for one (1) of the Countries and shall thereafter compete
only for that Country unless otherwise permitted in these By-Laws.
8.3 A Masters Athlete who is a citizen or permanent resident of two (2) Countries and who has competed for one (1) of those Countries may
thereafter compete for the other Country, only when changing citizenship or upon reaching permanent resident status in the new Country, and an
official written request from the Masters Athlete to the two (2) Members has been agreed and confirmed in writing by the Secretary General.
(i) The request from the Masters Athlete shall be forwarded by the Master Athlete’s present Member to the new Member, the Secretaries of
the Regions of both Members, and the Secretary General for WMA. A written agreement by both Members must be sent to the Secretary General,
who shall confirm or deny the request and notify the Members and the Regional Secretaries accordingly. A term of non-eligibility as per the
WA rules may apply to any request and shall be communicated by the Secretary General to the affected Members and the Secretaries of the
affected Regions.
(ii) A Masters Athlete granted a change in affiliation under this By-Law may subsequently request another change in affiliation, following the
process set forth above. Such subsequent request shall be considered by the Council, on request from the Masters Athlete’s present Member
stating all reasons therefor, together with evidence from the proposed Member. If approved by the Council, a term of non-eligibility as per the
WA rules may apply to any such request and shall be communicated by the Secretary General to the affected Members and the Secretaries of the
affected Regions. Absent extenuating circumstances, e.g., war, the Council shall not consider more than two (2) change of affiliation
requests per Masters Athlete.
8.4 If a Masters Athlete lives or works temporarily in a Country that is not the Masters Athlete’s Country of citizenship or permanent residency
and has registered with a Member association for the purpose of competing in that Country, that Masters Athlete shall not be deemed to
be registered with that Member or having changed citizenship for purposes of entry into WMA or Regional Championships. In such cases,
such Masters Athlete must compete for the Country of which they are a citizen or permanent resident.
