A1.39 Government Authorised Exchange Visa¶
Government Authorised Exchange Visa (Temporary Work) – September 2025 Update
Official link: https://www.gov.uk/government-authorised-exchange
Overview
For approved exchange schemes including:
Work experience
Training
Overseas government language programmes
Research
Fellowships
Replaces former T5 Government Authorised Exchange visa
Sponsorship Requirements
Sponsor types:
Approved exchange scheme operators
Higher education institutions (researchers/visiting academics/examiners)
Government departments/agencies
Must provide reference number (Certificate of Sponsorship or sponsorship reference)
Work/training/research must relate to sponsor's activities
Application Timeline
Earliest application: 3 months before UK start date
Processing times:
Outside UK: Usually 3 weeks
Inside UK: Usually 8 weeks
Priority services available
Costs & Financial Requirements
Application fee: £319 (inside/outside UK)
Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035/year
Maintenance funds: £1,270 personal savings
Held 28 consecutive days
28-day period ends within 31 days of application
Exempt if:
UK resident with valid visa for 12+ months
Employer certifies support for first month (up to £1,270)
Visa Validity, Rights & Restrictions
Stay Duration:
Work experience: 12 months maximum
Research/training/language programmes: 24 months maximum
Travel Windows:
Arrive up to 14 days before work starts (not before visa start date)
Depart up to 14 days after work ends (not after visa expiry date)
Permitted:
✓ Work specified in Certificate of Sponsorship
✓ Study (ATAS required for some courses)
✓ Second job (≤20 hours/week)
✓ Skilled Worker Immigration Salary List job as second employment (≤20 hours/week)
✓ Bring eligible spouse/children
Not Permitted:
✗ Permanent employment
✗ Public funds
Eligibility Requirements
Valid sponsorship reference number
Sufficient funds (unless exempt)
Employer must pay at least National Minimum Wage
Reference Validity:
Certificate of Sponsorship: 3 months from issue
Sponsorship reference: 90 days from issue to sponsor
Required Documents
Sponsorship reference number
Valid passport
Financial evidence (unless employer supported)
Relationship evidence for dependants
TB test results (if required)
ATAS certificate (PhD+ sensitive subjects)
Government/scholarship body consent letter (if applicable)
Certified translations for non-English/Welsh documents
Application Process
Apply online
Verify identity via:
UK Immigration: ID Check app OR
Biometric appointment (fingerprints/photo)
Inside UK applications only for extending/switching to this visa
Dependants
Eligible: Spouse/civil partner/unmarried partner (2+ years cohabitation)/children under 18
Additional funds required:
Partner: £285
First child: £315
Each additional child: £200
Apply separately using main applicant's reference number
Rights: Work (except professional sport)/study/travel freely
UK-born children: Not automatically British - require dependant visa + UK birth certificate
Extending Your Visa
Must meet all eligibility requirements
Apply before current visa expires
Maximum stay limits apply (12/24 months depending on scheme)
Processing: Usually 8 weeks
Switching to This Visa
Eligible if holding:
Student visa (including Tier 4)
Student union sabbatical officer
Postgraduate doctor/dentist etc.
Key Requirements:
Completed UK undergraduate or postgraduate degree
Exchange work/training/research must relate to completed degree
Examples: Professional qualification training or degree-related placement (≤12 months)
Processing: Usually 8 weeks (super priority available)
Important Notes
Sponsorship essential: Must have authorised sponsor reference number
Strict financial evidence: Meet amount and duration requirements precisely
Dependant advantage: Can bring family (unlike Seasonal Worker visa)
Limited supplementary work: ≤20 hours/week second job permitted
Student switching conditions: Must have completed UK degree + relevant work content
Stay limits: Observe maximum durations and 14-day grace periods