GovWire

class="gem-c-govspeak govuk-govspeak gem-c-govspeak--direction-ltr js-disable-youtube govuk-!-margin-bottom-0">

You can apply for a Temporary Work Government Authorised Exchange visa if you:

• want to come to the UK for a short time for work experience or to do training, an Overseas Government Language Programme, research or a fellowship through an approved government authorised exchange scheme
• have a sponsor
• meet the other eligibility requirements

This visa has replaced the Temporary Worker - Government Authorised Exchange visa (T5).

Sponsorship

You need to have a reference number from a licensed sponsor before you can apply to come to the UK to work.

Your sponsor will give you a reference number before you apply. You can apply with either:

• the reference number on your certificate of sponsorship - this is an electronic document that confirms your job and personal details
• your sponsorship reference number

Your work, training or research in the UK must relate to the work of your sponsor organisation.

Your sponsor can be any of the following:

• an organisation running an approved exchange scheme
• a higher education institution (if you are a sponsored researcher, visiting academic or examiner)
• a government department or agency

How long it takes

You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK.

As part of your application, youll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. Youll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once youve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, youll usually get a decision on your visa within:

• 3 weeks, if youre outside the UK
• 8 weeks, if youre inside the UK

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

How much it costs

You, your partner or children will each need to:

• pay the application fee
• pay the healthcare surcharge, which is usually 1,035 per year - you can check how much youll have to pay
• prove you have enough personal savings - check how much in the eligibility requirements

Application fee

The application fee for each person applying is 298.

The fee is the same whether youre applying from inside or outside the UK.

How long you can stay in the UK

The amount of time you can stay depends on the length of your visa and the start and end dates of your job.

Depending on the scheme you apply for, youll get a visa for a maximum of 12 months or 24 months.

You can enter the UK up to 14 days before the date your job starts, as long as you do not arrive before the start date on your visa.

You can stay in the UK for up to 14 days after the date your job ends, as long as you do not stay past the end date on your visa.

What you can and cannot do

You can:

• study (for some courses youll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate)
• work in the job you have a certificate of sponsorship or sponsorship reference number for
• do a second job for up to 20 hours per week
• do a job on the Skilled Worker immigration salary list for up to 20 hours per week as well as your main job
• bring your partner and children with you as your dependants, if theyre eligible

You cannot:

• take a permanent job
• get public funds