Applying under the Government Authorised Exchange route

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis
Produced in partnership with Gillian Gibbons of Fragomen LLP
Practice notes

Applying under the Government Authorised Exchange route

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis

Produced in partnership with Gillian Gibbons of Fragomen LLP

Practice notes
imgtext

The Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) route provides individuals with the opportunity to come to the UK on a temporary basis on Home Office-approved exchange schemes, which fall into four types of programme:

  1. •

    work experience—this also includes volunteering, job shadowing and internships

  2. •

    training—in the fields of science and/or medicine, or training delivered by HM Armed Forces or UK emergency services

  3. •

    research and fellowships—for those on a scientific, academic, medical, or government research project at a UK Higher Education Provider or another research institution operating under the approval of a relevant government department, or

  4. •

    taking part in an overseas government language programme

Where the scheme is a work experience programme, the maximum period of stay in the route is 12 months. For other types of scheme, it is 24 months.

The GAE route is a Temporary Worker route. Prior to 1 December 2020, under the pre-Brexit Points-Based System, the route was called Tier 5 (Government Authorised Exchange). From 1 December 2020 to 11 October 2021, it was known as T5

Gillian Gibbons
Gillian Gibbons

Manager – Heads up Fragomen’s Tier 5 International Internship Programme, Fragomen LLP

A Manager in Fragomen’s Sheffield office with more than 12 years of corporate immigration experience.

Currently heads up Fragomen’s Tier 5 International Internship Programme, which helps global companies to deliver large structured annual UK internship programmes, as well as support small-medium sized businesses with small off-cycle programmes.

Previously worked for two of the Big Four professional services firms on a broad range of applications covered by the UK’s Points Based System (PBS) and European legislation. Also worked as an in-house Global Immigration Manager, overseeing global immigration compliance.

Read moreRead more
Powered by Lexis+®
Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
Related legal acts:
Key definition:
Programme definition
What does Programme mean?

The programme, usually presented as a timeline/chart, is the document recording the contractor’s sequencing and timing for carrying out the works. It is usually prepared by the contractor at the start of the works, presenting the timeline that the contractor proposes to build to, showing activities occurring between particular dates.

Read more readmore

Popular documents

When a skilled worker is about to go on maternity leave, does the employer have an obligation to top up

When a skilled worker is about to go on maternity leave, does the employer have an obligation to top up any statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance in respect of— a) the employee’s continued employment as a sponsored worker, in order for the employer to meet its sponsor obligations b) the

Late payment penalties—inheritance tax

Late payment penalties—inheritance taxWhile interest often accrues on overdue tax, the late payment of certain taxes may also attract a penalty. For information on the interest accruing on overdue tax, see Practice Notes: IHT—payment deadlines on death—Interest on IHT and Interest on late paid

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal fees, will that count as a PET against their estate?A disclaimer is the refusal of a gift prior to acceptance. The refusal of the gift must take place before the beneficiary accepts any benefit

Can shares in a limited company that have not been paid-up at all be cancelled?

Can shares in a limited company that have not been paid-up at all be cancelled?A limited company having a share capital may not alter that share capital, except in the ways listed in section 617 of the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006). Shares in a company cannot simply be cancelled without following an