The Government Authorised Exchange Visa allows eligible applicants to come to the UK for temporary work experience, training, research or a fellowship through an approved scheme.
For an American applicant considering a UK internship, the first question is whether the placement qualifies under an approved scheme and has suitable sponsorship. An internship offer alone does not establish eligibility.
This guide explains how the route works, what to check with your sponsor and how to prepare your application.
The Government Authorised Exchange Visa is a sponsored temporary work route. You need an approved exchange arrangement, a valid sponsorship reference and sufficient financial support.
Depending on the scheme, the maximum stay is 12 or 24 months. The route does not permit you to take a permanent job.
A UK internship or training placement can offer valuable experience, but you need immigration permission that fits the activity.
Before paying programme fees or arranging accommodation, establish who will sponsor you, which approved scheme covers the placement and what activities it permits.
These checks also help you understand whether the route matches your plans. A temporary exchange programme and a permanent employment opportunity involve different immigration considerations.
The route supports specific temporary activities through approved schemes, including:
The activity must fit the approved scheme and relate to the sponsor organisation’s work.
For example, someone offered a structured internship should ask which scheme covers it and who provides sponsorship. Calling a role an “internship” does not automatically make it suitable.
Read the programme’s eligibility criteria as well as the visa requirements. The scheme may have its own conditions concerning qualifications, experience or the purpose of the placement.
Start by identifying eligible visa sponsors for the proposed activity.
Depending on the arrangement, the sponsor may be an organisation operating an approved exchange scheme, a qualifying higher education institution, or a government department or agency.
Ask the programme organiser:
Do not assume that the organisation hosting you also handles sponsorship. Confirm each organisation’s role before applying.
Your sponsor supplies a certificate of sponsorship reference number or a sponsorship reference number for your application.
Check the details carefully, particularly your personal information, activity, working hours and dates.
A certificate of sponsorship remains valid for three months after assignment. A sponsorship reference number remains valid for 90 days after issue to the sponsor.
Unless an exemption applies, you need £1,270 available to support yourself.
You must hold the funds for at least 28 consecutive days, with the final day falling within 31 days before your application. Check your proof of funds before choosing a submission date.
You may not need to provide personal savings evidence if you have held valid UK permission for at least 12 months, or your sponsor formally confirms qualifying financial support.
A casual promise to help with expenses is not enough. Ask whether the sponsor will record the required maintenance commitment in the sponsorship process.
The maintenance amount is also separate from your application costs. Budget for travel, accommodation and everyday expenses rather than treating £1,270 as the total cost of moving.
The current published application fee is £340 per applicant, whether applying inside or outside the UK.
You will usually also pay the immigration health surcharge, generally £1,035 per year for an adult on this route. The actual charge depends on the period of permission and applicable rules.
| Cost or financial requirement | What to budget for |
|---|---|
| Visa application fee | £340 per applicant |
| Immigration health surcharge | Usually £1,035 per year for an adult |
| Maintenance funds | Usually £1,270, unless exempt |
| Other expenses | Travel, accommodation, translations and any programme charges |
Maintenance funds are money you demonstrate access to, rather than a fee paid to the Home Office.
Ask the scheme organiser for a written breakdown of any separate programme or sponsorship administration charges.
Your document checklist will depend on your circumstances. Common items include:
Documents in a language other than English or Welsh require certified translations.
For a research placement, discuss any ATAS requirement with the institution early. Do not assume that every applicant needs the same documents.
Check that the placement information, sponsorship details and application answers agree with each other.
For an application from outside the UK:
The application service will tell you whether to use the identity-check app or attend a visa application centre.
You can apply up to three months before the intended work start date. The published usual decision time is three weeks for applications outside the UK, after completing the application, identity checks and document submission.
Applications inside the UK usually take eight weeks. These are usual processing times, so allow room for additional checks.
You can undertake the sponsored activity and study, subject to any relevant conditions. Eligible partners and children may apply as dependants.
You cannot take a permanent job or claim public funds.
Follow the activities and dates covered by your permission. Discuss changes to the placement or sponsor before making them.
An extension may be possible if you still qualify, but it does not remove the route’s maximum time limits. Work experience normally has a 12-month maximum; research, training and Overseas Government Language Programmes can allow up to 24 months.
Switching into the Government Authorised Exchange Visa is restricted. You cannot assume that holding any UK visa allows you to change into this route.
The published switching guidance covers specified student categories. It requires completion of a UK bachelor’s or master’s degree during the last grant of permission and qualifying training or an internship related to that degree.
Check the switching rules before arranging a placement. If you do not qualify to switch, you may need to apply from outside the UK.
The Government Authorised Exchange Visa is not a direct settlement route. If your longer-term aim is permanent residence, assess the requirements of an appropriate future route separately.
Requirements such as the Life in the UK test belong to relevant settlement or citizenship applications, rather than this temporary exchange application.
Similarly, British citizenship referees serve a different purpose from visa sponsors. A temporary placement does not establish eligibility for naturalisation.
For related guidance, explore:
Yes, provided they qualify for an approved scheme, obtain suitable sponsorship and meet the remaining requirements. An internship offer alone is insufficient.
The maximum depends on the scheme. Work experience normally allows up to 12 months, while qualifying research, training and language programmes can allow up to 24 months. Your actual permission may be shorter.
You usually need £1,270 held for the required period, unless you qualify for an exemption or certified sponsor support.
Eligible partners and children can apply as dependants. Each must meet the relevant requirements, and additional fees and financial evidence may apply.
An extension may be possible while you remain eligible, but your stay must remain within the applicable maximum. Apply before your current permission expires.
The Government Authorised Exchange Visa offers a temporary route for eligible work experience, training, research and other approved exchange activities. Suitable sponsorship and an approved scheme are central to the application.
Before applying, confirm your placement’s eligibility, check the sponsorship dates and prepare your financial evidence. Understand the costs, time limits and restrictions so that the route matches your plans.
If you are considering a Government Authorised Exchange Visa and want help understanding the requirements, book a consultation with UKGIC. Our immigration advisers can review your proposed placement and circumstances and help you prepare the appropriate UK visa application.
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