UK Government Authorised Exchange Visa

The UK Government Authorised Exchange Visa allows you to immigrate to UK for a short time to gain work experience, training, or research experience. This visa has replaced the Temporary Worker - Government Authorised Exchange visa (T5).

The UK Government Authorised Exchange Visa is ideal for individuals looking to develop skills or complete specific projects in the UK. Sponsored by approved government or non-government organizations, it helps participants improve their career prospects. The visa is typically valid for up to 12 or 24 months, depending on the scheme.

Apply for UK Government Authorised Exchange Visa

UK Government Authorised Exchange Visa Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the UK Government Authorised Exchange Visa, you must:

• Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer: Your employer (sponsor), will issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which outlines the job you will be undertaking in the UK. The CoS is an electronic record, not a physical document. You will need the reference number from your CoS when applying for your visa. Make sure that you apply for UK Government Authorised Exchange Visa within 3 months of receiving the CoS.

• Do a job that is on the UK eligible occupation list: Your job must be on the UK eligible occupations list. If you are not sure of the 4-digit occupation code that is used for your case, you can use the CASCOT occupation coding tool to find your job.

• Have enough money to support yourself: You need to have at least £1,270 in your bank account to demonstrate your financial ability to support yourself (and your dependents) in the UK.

UK Government Authorised Exchange Visa Documents Required

When applying for the UK Government Authorised Exchange Visa, you will need to provide:

• Your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number.
• A valid passport and other identity documents.
• Your job title and annual salary.
• Your job’s 4-digit occupation code.
• Your employer’s name and their sponsor licence number.
• Evidence of funds to support yourself in the UK.
• Proof of relationship with your dependents (partner & children) if they are applying with you.
• Your tuberculosis test results report.

Other documents you might need

Depending on your case, you might also be asked to provide:

• Proof that you have worked for your employer outside the UK.
• A police background check certificate.
• An Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if your job involves researching a sensitive subject at PhD level or higher.

If your documents are in any other language apart from English or Welsh, you must provide a certified translation.

How to apply for UK Government Authorised Exchange Visa?

You must apply for UK Government Authorised Exchange Visa online. How you apply depends on whether you are currently living:

• Outside the UK.
• Inside the UK and extending your current visa.
• Inside the UK and switching from a different visa.

Your partner and children can also apply for this visa alongside you to stay in the UK as your ‘dependents’ if they are eligible.

Note: The application process for UK Government Authorised Exchange Visa can get a bit complex, especially for first-timers. Seek guidance from the best UK Immigration Consultants in India at Nationwide Visas if you are having trouble.

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UK Government Authorised Exchange Visa Costs

Application costs

The standard application fee for UK Government Authorised Exchange Visa is £298.

Money to support yourself

You need to maintain at least £1,270 in your bank account to demonstrate your financial ability to support yourself in the UK throughout your stay. These funds must be available in your account for a minimum of 28 consecutive days, with the final day falling within 31 days of your visa application. Additionally, your partner and children must also show that they have sufficient funds to support themselves while in the UK. You, your partner, or your child - will need:

• £285 for your partner
• £315 for one child
• £200 for each additional child

Healthcare surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay in the UK - this is usually £1,035 per year.

UK Government Authorised Exchange Visa Processing Time

If you are outside the UK, the latest UK Visa processing time to apply for the Government Authorised Exchange Visa is 3 weeks - and 8 weeks if you are applying from inside the UK. You may be able to pay to get faster processing of your visa.

You are allowed to apply for this visa up to 3 months before starting to work in the UK. The date of your joining is listed on your CoS.

UK Government Authorised Exchange Visa Validity

You can stay in the UK with a Government Authorised Exchange Visa for 12 - 24 months. The amount of time you can stay depends on the length of your visa and the start & end date of your job.

• You cannot enter the UK before the date of your visa and must leave by the end date of your visa.
• You can enter the UK 14 days before the date your job starts and stay for up to 14 days after your job ends.

If you want to stay longer in the UK, you can apply to extend your visa.

UK Government Authorised Exchange Visa Extension

You can usually apply for UK Government Authorised Exchange Visa extension and stay in the UK for up to a maximum of:

• 12 months if you are doing work experience.
• 24 months if you are doing research, training, or an overseas government language program.

You must be inside the UK to apply for an extension. Your partner and children will need to submit a separate application if they want to extend their visa.

Need help?

Get quick solutions with Nationwide Visas, one of the best UK Immigration Consultants in India. Our team will go heads down on your case, offering the best solutions to immigrate to UK under the UK Government Authorised Exchange Visa. Whether you need help with your visa application, documentation, or finding jobs - we’ve got you covered. Get a free consultation session and determine the best option to apply for the visa.