Government Authorised Exchange Temporary Visas

Temporary Worker - Government Authorised Exchange Visa (Tier 5)

You can apply for a Tier 5 Temporary Worker - Government Authorised Exchange visa if you: 

Sponsorship 

You need to have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed sponsor before you can apply to come to the UK to work. 

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 will take

The earliest you can apply for a visa is 3 months before the date you’re due to start work. This date is on your certificate of sponsorship. 

You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK.  

Fees 

How much you pay for your visa depends on where you are. 

Who you are applying for - You 
Apply (outside the UK) - £244 
Extend or switch (in the UK) - £244 
 
Who you are applying for - If you are a citizen of Turkey or Macedonia 
Apply (outside the UK) - £189 
Extend or switch (in the UK) - £189 
 
Who you are applying for - All dependants 
Apply (outside the UK) - £244 each 
Extend or switch (in the UK) - £244 each  

Healthcare Surcharge

You will also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. Check how much you will have to pay before you apply. 

If you are applying to extend or switch in the UK  

You will need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken. 

Get a faster decision on your application 

If you are applying to extend or switch in the UK you can pay an extra £500 for the priority service to get a decision within 5 working days. 

You can pay an extra £800 for the super priority service to get a decision: 

  • by the end of the next working day after providing your biometric information if your appointment is on a weekday 

  • 2 working days after providing your biometric information if your appointment is at the weekend 

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.  

Once you have got your decision letter, your biometric residence permit will take up to 10 working days to arrive. 

How long you can stay 

You can stay in the UK for up to 12 or 24 months (depending on the scheme you are applying for) or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 28 days, whichever is shorter. 

You can enter the UK up to 14 days before the start date of your job. 

What you can and cannot do 

You can:  

  • study (for some courses you will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate

  • work in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship 

  • do a second job for up to 20 hours per week 

  • do a job on the Tier 2 shortage occupation list for up to 20 hours per week as well as your main job 

  • apply to change (‘switch’) into a Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa if you are in the government authorised exchange scheme for sponsored researchers 

  • bring family members with you 

You cannot: 

See Also:  

For Further Information on Government Authorised Exchange Temporary Visas, see GOV.UK's website.