Government Authorised Exchange Visa Solicitors in London
The Temporary Work – Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) visa lets you come to the UK for up to 12 or 24 months for work experience, training, research, a fellowship or an Overseas Government Language Programme through an approved exchange scheme.
call 0207 100 2525 to speak to a specialist today. Available 24/7
It is one of the UK’s Temporary Worker visa routes, and the scheme operator, rather than the host employer, usually acts as your sponsor.
Our solicitors advise interns, researchers, universities and host organisations on GAE sponsorship.
Call 0207 100 2525 or book a free consultation.
Who Can Apply for a GAE Visa?
You can apply if you have a sponsorship reference from an approved GAE scheme, a UK higher education institution or a government department, for work experience, training, research or a fellowship. The approved schemes are listed in the Immigration Rules Appendix Government Authorised Exchange schemes.
Eligibility requirements on GOV.UK include:
- a valid Certificate of Sponsorship(valid for 3 months) or a sponsorship reference number (valid for 90 days)
- £1,270 in savings held for 28 consecutive days, unless you have held UK permission for 12 months or your sponsor certifies maintenance
How Long Can You Stay?
You can stay for up to 12 or 24 months, depending on the type of exchange scheme. Your sponsor will confirm the length of your scheme on your certificate.
GAE Visa Fees (2026)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application fee | £340 per person |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | Usually £1,035 per year |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (paid by the sponsor) | £55 |
Decisions usually take 3 weeks from outside the UK and 8 weeks from inside the UK. Source: GOV.UK – Government Authorised Exchange visa.
What You Can and Cannot Do
You can: do the work set out on your certificate, study (subject to the usual rules), take secondary work of up to 20 hours a week, and bring eligible dependants.
You cannot: take a permanent job or claim public funds.
GAE vs Other Routes
- Recent UK graduates who want to work freely should look at the Graduate visa.
- Employees moving within a corporate group should look at the Global Business Mobility
- Young people from participating countries can work freely for 2 years on the Youth Mobility Scheme visa.
- Treaty-based work for overseas governments falls under the International Agreement visa.
How We Help
- Identifying an approved scheme that fits the placement
- Advising host organisations on their obligations
- Preparing applications and dependant applications
- Help after a refusal
Call 0207 100 2525 (24/7) or book a free consultation
FAQs
What is a Government Authorised Exchange visa?
Who sponsors a GAE visa?
How long is the GAE visa?
Can I switch to a Skilled Worker visa from GAE?
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