Government Authorised Exchange Visa UK

This UK immigration route is designed for overseas nationals coming to the UK for a short-term, structured work experience, training, research, or fellowship programme through an authorised scheme approved by the UK Government. It is governed by the Immigration Rules under Appendix Temporary Work – Government Authorised Exchange.

The visa aims to promote knowledge exchange, skills development, and international collaboration without leading directly to permanent settlement in the UK. It allows individuals to engage in valuable professional or academic activities while ensuring compliance with UK immigration controls and sponsor oversight.

What this article is about
This guide explains the Government Authorised Exchange visa in detail, with a focus on the legal requirements for applicants, the sponsorship obligations for scheme operators, and the compliance responsibilities for any participating employers. It covers eligibility, application procedures, costs, visa conditions, and the limits of the route, helping both applicants and employers understand how to meet the Home Office’s rules and avoid compliance breaches.

Section A: Understanding the Government Authorised Exchange Visa

1. Legal framework and purpose of the visa under UK Immigration Rules Appendix Temporary Work – Government Authorised Exchange

The Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) visa is a temporary work route intended to facilitate short-term stays for non-UK nationals undertaking approved professional or academic activities. It sits within Appendix Temporary Work – Government Authorised Exchange and ensures these activities are conducted under the oversight of a licensed scheme sponsor, maintaining the integrity of UK immigration controls.

The GAE route supports the UK’s international partnerships in training, research, and skills development. Programmes approved under this route are run by licensed scheme operators, such as government departments, public bodies, and certain non-profit organisations. The Immigration Rules set out who may apply, the permissible activities, and the compliance obligations of sponsors.

This visa does not permit general employment in the UK. All activities must fall within the scope of the applicant’s Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and the approved scheme’s objectives. The Home Office monitors compliance through sponsor licence duties, ensuring that neither applicants nor sponsors misuse the route for unapproved work.

2. Types of activities permitted – work experience, training, research, fellowship

Applicants may only undertake activities directly related to their approved scheme. These include:

• Work experience programmes — designed to develop professional skills and knowledge in a specific sector, often for students or recent graduates.
• Training programmes — offering structured professional or specialist training that is not readily available in the applicant’s home country.
• Research programmes — usually undertaken in collaboration with a UK academic or research institution, enabling knowledge transfer and joint project work.
• Overseas Government Language Programmes — participants are sponsored to come to the UK to teach or enhance foreign language skills as part of an official programme.
• Fellowship programmes — specialist placements, often for senior professionals, to share expertise or undertake specific research or training projects.

Teaching outside the above categories is only permitted where it is expressly included within the sponsored role under the approved scheme. The visa holder must not fill a permanent vacancy in the UK labour market. All work must be incidental to the scheme’s objectives and pre-approved by the sponsor.

3. Difference from other temporary work visas, including Skilled Worker and Youth Mobility Scheme

The GAE visa is distinct from other Temporary Work routes such as the Charity Worker or Creative Worker visas, which are designed to fill roles in specific sectors. It also differs from the Youth Mobility Scheme, which permits broader work options for eligible young people. Unlike the Skilled Worker visa, the GAE route does not lead to settlement and is not intended to address ongoing labour shortages. Instead, it enables temporary, non-commercial exchanges that benefit both the UK and the applicant’s home country.

Section Summary
The GAE visa is a targeted route for structured, short-term exchanges in training, research, and professional development. Strict sponsorship rules ensure activities align with approved schemes and do not substitute for permanent UK jobs.

Section B: Eligibility Criteria

1. Sponsorship by an approved Government Authorised Exchange scheme sponsor

Applicants must hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by an organisation authorised to operate a GAE scheme. Only sponsors on the Home Office register for the GAE route can assign a CoS, including government departments, public sector bodies, educational institutions, and certain non-profit organisations.

The CoS confirms:

• Applicant details and role within the scheme
• Programme start and end dates
• The nature of activities to be undertaken
• The scheme’s reference number and sponsor licence number

The CoS must confirm the placement is temporary, within the GAE route, and does not constitute a permanent job offer.

2. Suitability and general grounds for refusal (immigration history, character requirements)

Applicants must satisfy suitability requirements under Part 9 of the Immigration Rules. Grounds for refusal can include prior breaches (e.g., overstaying, illegal working), criminality, false representations, or failure to provide required information. A clean immigration history and full disclosure assist decision-making.

3. Financial maintenance requirements and English language rules (if applicable)

Financial maintenance. Applicants must usually show at least £1,270 in personal savings held for 28 consecutive days within the 31 days before application, unless the sponsor certifies maintenance on the CoS. Dependants must meet separate maintenance thresholds under the Rules (unless maintenance is certified for them), and funds must be lawfully held and immediately available.

English language. There is no formal English language requirement under the GAE route. However, participants must be able to undertake their programme effectively. Sponsors may impose their own language standards for entry to the scheme.

Section Summary
Eligibility rests on holding a valid CoS from an approved scheme operator, meeting suitability rules, and satisfying maintenance. While no Home Office English test is mandated, sponsors can set language criteria to ensure programme participation.

Section C: Application Process

1. Applying from outside the UK vs switching in-country

Outside the UK. Most applicants apply from overseas. Steps include obtaining a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), completing the online application for the Temporary Work – Government Authorised Exchange visa, paying the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), and enrolling biometrics at a visa application centre (or using the UK Immigration: ID Check app where eligible).

Switching in-country. Switching into the GAE route is permitted from certain categories, provided the applicant is not in an excluded category (for example, Visitor, Seasonal Worker, Short-term Student, Parent of a Child Student, Domestic Worker in a Private Household, or anyone on immigration bail). A fresh CoS and a new application must be submitted before existing leave expires.

2. Online application, required documentation, and biometric enrolment

Applicants complete the online Temporary Work – Government Authorised Exchange form and submit supporting evidence. Typical documents include:

• Valid passport or travel document
• Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
• Evidence of financial maintenance (unless certified by the sponsor)
• Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate, if required for the applicant’s country of residence
• Any additional evidence the Home Office requests to verify eligibility and suitability

Biometrics are provided by attending a visa application centre or, if eligible, via the UK Immigration: ID Check app. Applicants should ensure details on the CoS precisely match their proposed activities and programme dates.

3. Application fees, Immigration Health Surcharge, and processing times

Fees. As at August 2025, the application fee is £298 whether applying from inside or outside the UK.

IHS. The Immigration Health Surcharge is charged at the applicable annual rate (currently £1,035 per year for most applicants, with a reduced rate for under-18 dependants). This must be paid in full at the time of application to cover the intended stay period.

Processing times. Standard processing is generally three weeks from biometric enrolment for applications outside the UK and eight weeks for applications made inside the UK. Priority and super-priority processing may be available in some locations for an additional fee.

Section Summary
The GAE application process requires sponsorship, an accurate online application, payment of fees, and submission of biometrics. Applicants should prepare all required documents in advance and apply before any current immigration permission expires.

Section D: Conditions, Compliance, and Extensions

1. Visa length, extension rules, and maximum stay limits

The permitted length of stay depends on the programme type:

• Work experience programmes – up to 12 months
• Research, training, or fellowship programmes – up to 24 months

Applicants may apply to extend their visa if they remain within the maximum time limit for their programme type and continue to meet all eligibility requirements, including holding a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from an approved scheme sponsor. Extension applications must be made before the existing visa expires. It is not possible to remain in the UK beyond the maximum permitted stay for the relevant programme type under this visa route.

2. Right to work restrictions

The GAE visa permits employment only in the role and activities specified on the Certificate of Sponsorship, which must directly relate to the approved scheme. Visa holders cannot:

• Fill a permanent job in the UK labour market
• Work outside the scope of their sponsored role
• Engage in self-employment or run a business
• Work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach

Supplementary work of up to 20 hours per week is allowed, but only if it is in the same profession and skill level as the sponsored role or is in a role on the Shortage Occupation List. Any additional work must not interfere with the sponsored programme, and overtime in the main role does not count towards the 20-hour supplementary limit.

3. Employer compliance and record-keeping duties for sponsors

Sponsors must comply with all licence duties, including:

• Reporting relevant changes in the visa holder’s circumstances to the Home Office via the Sponsorship Management System (SMS)
• Keeping accurate records of the visa holder’s attendance and programme participation
• Ensuring the visa holder only undertakes permitted activities under the scheme
• Cooperating with any Home Office compliance visits or audits

Failure to comply can result in the sponsor licence being downgraded, suspended, or revoked, and the visa holder’s leave being curtailed.

4. Settlement and switching

The GAE visa does not lead directly to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). However, visa holders may be able to switch into another visa category from within the UK if they meet the relevant switching requirements. Long-term immigration plans should be considered well before the GAE visa expires.

Section Summary
The GAE visa allows short-term participation in structured programmes under strict conditions. Visa holders must remain within their approved role and programme scope, while sponsors have extensive compliance obligations. Extensions are possible within the route’s maximum stay limits, but it is not a settlement route.

FAQs

How long can I stay on a Government Authorised Exchange visa?

The maximum stay is up to 12 months for work experience schemes and up to 24 months for research, training, or fellowship schemes.

Can I switch to another visa from this route?

Switching is possible from the GAE visa to certain other visa types, such as Skilled Worker, provided you meet the relevant eligibility and switching requirements. Switching is prohibited into some categories, and any application must be made before the GAE visa expires.

Does this visa lead to settlement in the UK?

No, the GAE visa does not lead directly to settlement. Time spent on this visa does not count towards the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain, although switching into a settlement route later may be possible.

Can family members join me on this visa?

Yes, eligible dependants (partner and children under 18) can accompany or join you in the UK. They must apply separately and pay the relevant fees and Immigration Health Surcharge. Dependants may work, except as a professional sportsperson or coach, and may study without needing a separate student visa.

Do I need an English language qualification for this visa?

No, there is no mandatory English language requirement for the GAE visa. However, sponsors may set their own language criteria to ensure participants can engage effectively in the programme.

Can I take on additional work?

Supplementary work of up to 20 hours per week is allowed, provided it is in the same profession and skill level as your sponsored role or is in a role on the Shortage Occupation List. Additional work must not breach your visa conditions or interfere with your sponsored programme.

Conclusion

The Government Authorised Exchange visa offers a structured route for overseas nationals to take part in temporary work experience, training, research, or fellowship programmes in the UK. It is a targeted category designed to support international collaboration and professional development while maintaining strict immigration controls.

For applicants, success relies on securing sponsorship from an approved scheme, meeting all eligibility and maintenance requirements, and understanding the permitted activities and restrictions. For sponsors and participating employers, compliance with sponsor licence duties is essential to retain authorisation and safeguard the visa holder’s lawful status.

While this visa does not lead to settlement, it provides valuable UK-based experience that can enhance professional and academic growth. Careful preparation, adherence to the Immigration Rules, and compliance with visa conditions are key to maximising the opportunities offered by this route.

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