Government Authorised Exchange visa (Temporary Work)
Eligibility
You must:
- have a certificate of sponsorship or sponsorship reference number from your UK sponsor
- have enough money to support yourself in the UK - you’ll usually need to have at least £1,270 available (unless you’re exempt)
Your employer must make sure your job pays at least the minimum wage and follows the UK rules for how many hours a week you work. If your employer does not do this, your application will be refused.
What you need from your sponsor
Your sponsor will give you either a certificate of sponsorship reference number or sponsorship reference number. You’ll need to add this to your application form.
You’ll also need to confirm some information from your sponsor such as:
- the job you’re being sponsored for
- the date you start work
- your working hours
- if your sponsor is financially supporting you
- how long you can stay
If you have a certificate of sponsorship, it is valid for 3 months from the date it is assigned to you. If you have a sponsorship reference number, it is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued to your sponsor.
Money to support yourself
You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK.
You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.
You’ll usually need to show proof of this when you apply, unless either:
- you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months
- your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK, up to £1,270
Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they’re in the UK. Check how much they’ll need.
Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.
If your employer can support you instead
Your employer must confirm they can support you when they assign a certificate of sponsorship to you or make a sponsorship submission for you.