Depending on the specific programme you’re participating in, you may apply to extend your stay for either 12 or 24 months.
Internship visa under the Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) route is a temporary work route for people who want to come to the UK for a short period of time to share skills, experience, and best practices through temporary placements.
The Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) category, mentioned in the UK’s Immigration Rules under Appendix Temporary Work – Government Authorised Exchange, is one of the less recognised UK visa options. This is also coined as ‘Internships’ by many as it allows short periods of work experience.
The provision is set for temporary workers whose presence in the UK aligns with cultural, charitable, religious, or international objectives, including volunteering, job shadowing, internships and meeting seasonal employment needs. This route had been the most popular post-study work experience option available to International Graduates prior to the UK government’s re-introduction of the post-study graduate visa route.
Key aspects of the GAE scheme include:
This route is designed for individuals coming to the UK through approved schemes. The goal of these schemes is to foster the exchange of knowledge, experience, and best practices. The eligibility criteria for the GAE route are set to ensure that only genuine exchanges take place. Potential participants must:
The circumstances may alter depending on the individual’s exact requirements. Consulting with an immigration lawyer for personalised advice is advisable.
To discuss Internship Visa under the GAE route with one of our immigration solicitors, contact us at 020 8175 4000 or email us at enquiries@citylegalsolicitors.co.uk.
If the Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) application is approved, the applicant will be permitted to enter and remain in the UK for the duration specified on their Certificate of Sponsorship. This duration includes an additional 14 days before and after the period stated in the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). The end date of the Certificate can extend up to the maximum duration one is permitted to remain in the UK, as outlined by the specific scheme on which the individual has come to the UK.
If an applicant under the Government Authorised Exchange Programme wants to extend their stay, they can do so by extending it to either 12 or 24 months, as allowed by the specific scheme they are on.
It must be noted that the Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) Visa does not serve as a direct route to permanent settlement. The time spent on the GAE (Tier 5) route can only be counted for 10-year residence settlements, as applicants are normally expected to leave the UK at the end of their GAE visa.
However, the possibility exists for applicants to seek a change in their immigration status from within the UK to another route if they are eligible, for example, the Skilled Worker route, which could potentially lead to indefinite leave to remain.
The Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) Route is an excellent opportunity for international individuals to experience life in the UK whilst contributing their valuable skills and knowledge. This route can also be used for candidates looking to undertake internships in the UK. Each year, countless individuals take advantage of this programme to broaden their horizons and enhance their careers.
The application process for the Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) Route can be done online. Applicants must:
Our Immigration team at City Legal have immense experience in assisting international candidates and their employers in registering for the GAE programme. At City Legal, we work with numerous overarching sponsors and can ensure a smooth, fast and efficient process. Our Immigration team maintains a high reputation and is committed to providing clear, transparent and reliable advice to our clients.
Depending on the specific programme you’re participating in, you may apply to extend your stay for either 12 or 24 months.
If the applicant has applied from outside the UK, then it will take 3 weeks to get the decision. If the applicant has applied from within the UK, then it will take 8 weeks to get the decision on the GAE visa application.
No, this visa type does not directly lead to permanent residency or settlement in the UK. However, the applicant can switch to other immigration routes, which can lead to settlement.
Yes, it may be possible to apply from within the UK to switch to another immigration route, which can lead to indefinite leave to remain.
GAE visa holders are permitted to study, work in the job described in the CoS, do a supplementary job of up to 20 hours in the same profession and bring family members. However, access to public funds or taking a permanent job within the UK is prohibited.
The UK Home Office has set out the approved Government Authorised Exchange schemes. Each of those schemes are managed by an overarching sponsor. Under the GAE, a sponsor could be an organisation running an approved exchange scheme, a higher education institution (for sponsored researcher, visiting academic or examiner) or a government department or agency. As such, it is not always the employer that may be the sponsor and this is permitted under the rules.
