UK Government Authorised Exchange Visa Checklist
The UK Government Authorised Exchange visa (Temporary Work) covers work experience, training, an Overseas Government Language Programme, research or a fellowship through an approved exchange scheme. This checklist sets out the documents, the fee and savings rules, and what you can and cannot do. Based on the official GOV.UK pages.
Three quick facts
- Fee £340 per person — the same whether you apply from inside or outside the UK, plus the healthcare surcharge, usually £1,035 per year.
- You need a sponsor and a certificate of sponsorship — a licensed sponsor running an approved government authorised exchange scheme.
- You must show £1,270 in savings — held for at least 28 days in a row, with day 28 within 31 days of applying (unless exempt).
The checklist — documents you must provide
| Certificate of sponsorship | Your certificate of sponsorship reference number, from your licensed sponsor. |
| Passport | A valid passport or other document showing your identity and nationality. |
| Savings evidence | Evidence you have enough personal savings, e.g. bank statements — unless your employer can support you. |
| Dependants | Proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they are applying with you. |
| TB test results | If you are from a country where a tuberculosis test is required. |
| ATAS certificate | If your employer tells you that you need one — for some PhD-level and above research in sensitive subjects. |
| Scholarship consent letter | Your government or international scholarship agency’s written consent, where it funds your course or research. |
| Certified translation | Any document not in English or Welsh needs a certified translation. |
What the visa is for
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. It has replaced the Temporary Worker – Government Authorised Exchange visa (T5). Your sponsor can be an organisation running an approved exchange scheme, a higher education institution (for a sponsored researcher, visiting academic or examiner), or a government department or agency.
What you can and cannot do
| Can | Study (some courses need an ATAS certificate); do the job on your certificate of sponsorship; take a second job for up to 20 hours a week; work on the immigration salary list for up to 20 hours a week; bring your partner and children as dependants. |
| Cannot | Take a permanent job; get public funds. |
How long you can stay, and the savings rule
Depending on the scheme, you can stay for up to 12 months or 24 months. You can arrive up to 14 days early (not before your visa start date) and stay up to 14 days after your job ends. A decision usually takes 3 weeks from outside the UK or 8 weeks from inside (you may be able to pay for a faster decision). For the savings evidence, you need at least £1,270 in your bank account held for 28 days in a row, with day 28 within 31 days of applying. Your certificate of sponsorship is valid for 3 months from when it is assigned, and the sponsor reference number is valid for 90 days from when the sponsor issues it.
For the wider UK picture see the UK visa documents checklist, and check the photo with the UK passport photo page and the passport photo checker.
What is not published
The official pages do not list, on the visa pages themselves, the sponsoring organisations for each individual exchange scheme (they point to a separate Immigration Rules appendix), and they do not give biometric enrolment locations or the exact priority-service fee here. Because none is published on the page, none is asserted here.
Common reasons an application fails
- No valid certificate of sponsorship — or one that has expired (they last 3 months from assignment).
- Savings shortfall — under £1,270, or not held for 28 days in a row with day 28 within 31 days of applying.
- Wrong scheme or sponsor type — the exchange must be an approved government authorised scheme.
- Missing ATAS certificate where your employer says one is required.
- Missing TB test (where required) or missing certified translations.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the visa cost?
The application fee is GBP340 for each person applying, the same inside or outside the UK. You also pay the healthcare surcharge, usually GBP1,035 per year.
How much money do I need in savings?
Usually at least GBP1,270, held for at least 28 days in a row, with day 28 within 31 days of applying - unless you are exempt.
How long can I stay?
Depending on the scheme, up to 12 months or 24 months. You can arrive up to 14 days early and stay up to 14 days after your job ends.
Can I work a second job?
Yes - a second job for up to 20 hours a week, and work on the immigration salary list for up to 20 hours a week. You cannot take a permanent job.
Can I bring my family?
Yes - you can bring your partner and children as dependants, with proof of your relationship.
How long does a decision take?
Usually 3 weeks if you apply from outside the UK, or 8 weeks from inside; you may be able to pay for a faster decision.
Sources: GOV.UK — Government Authorised Exchange visa: overview, eligibility and documents-you-must-provide pages (gov.uk/government-authorised-exchange), retrieved 2026-09-28. Rules and fees change, so confirm the current position before you apply.