What is the Government Authorised Exchange visa?

Those travelling to the UK to engage in work experience, training, take part in an overseas government language programme, conduct research, or complete a fellowship through one of the approved schemes may be able to apply for the Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) visa, which is a temporary worker visa category.

The applicant must have the money to support themselves and a certificate of sponsorship from an authorised sponsor in order to be accepted. An organisation running one of the approved schemes, a college or university, or a government body can be the licenced sponsor. 

As long as they are sponsored, applicants who are currently in the country under a Student visa may submit an application to switch into this category. The applicant can stay in the UK for up to 12 or 24 months (depending on the length of the scheme they are applying for).

Since Brexit, when citizens of the EU started to be subject to UK domestic immigration laws, the GAE route has become a significant avenue for businesses to bring interns into the country for temporary work placements, frequently prior to being offered positions on graduate schemes. If the migrant secures a permanent position while residing in the UK, they will need to apply for the necessary visa in order to start working there.

The GAE visa holder is allowed to study, work the job for which they are sponsored, work a second job for up to 20 hours per week, and bring family members with them.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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