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Guidance

Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors: sponsor a Government Authorised Exchange Worker

Guidance for sponsors on sponsoring a Government Authorised Exchange Worker.

Updates to this page

From:
UK Visas and Immigration
Published:
9 December 2020
Last updated:
8 April 2026
Show all updates

  1. Updated the guidance in line with the Immigration Rules changes which came into effect on 8 April 2026. A full list of changes can be found in the guidance.

  2. Updated the guidance to reflect the closure of the Sponsor UK service and the introduction of Part Suitability of the Immigration Rules from 11 November 2025.

  3. The guidance has been updated to: reflect a minor change to the Immigration Rules coming into effect on 22 July 2025, as set out in Statement of Changes HC 997 (published on 1 July 2025); reflect some changes to functionality in the Sponsor UK service.

  4. Updated guidance in line with the Immigration Rules changes coming into effect on 9 April 2025. More detail on the changes can be found within the guidance.

  5. Guide updated to remove information relating to proof of immigration status and biometric residence permits, as this replicates information contained in Part 2: sponsor a worker (and biometric residence permits will no longer be valid beyond 31 December 2024).

  6. The guidance has been updated to reflect the initial roll-out phase of the new sponsorship service (Sponsor UK) for selected Government Authorised Exchange sponsors (‘PB1 sponsors’) and to make some other minor amendments, detailed within the guidance.

  7. Guidance updated to reflect changes to the Immigration Rules coming into effect on 4 April 2024. A list of the changes can be found in the guidance.

  8. Accessible version published.

  9. The guidance has been updated to introduce a new scheme for interns sponsored by diplomatic missions and consular posts; to reflect changes to the Immigration Rules coming into force on 12 April 2023 and to make some other minor amendments and clarifications.

  10. Updated guidance on sponsoring a Government Authorised Exchange Worker for use on or after 11 April 2022.

  11. This version of the guidance is valid from 15 February 2022. A full list of changes is in the guidance.

  12. Accessible version added.

  13. Guidance has been updated to reflect the rebranding of the T5 (Temporary Worker) Government Authorised Exchange Worker route as the 'Temporary Work - Government Authorised Exchange' route (as set out in Statement of Changes HC 617). Other minor amendments and clarifications. See page 6 of this document for a full list of the changes.

  14. Updated guidance reflects changes to the Immigration Rules as set out in the Statement of Changes (HC 1248). Including the introduction of the ATAS requirement for certain roles from 21 May 2021.

  15. First published.

Documents

Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors: sponsor a Government Authorised Exchange Worker (accessible)

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Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors: sponsor a Government Authorised Exchange Worker

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Details

This document provides information for employers on how to sponsor a worker on the Temporary Work - Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) route.

The GAE route is for individuals who want to come to the UK for a temporary period for work experience, job shadowing or training, to take part in an overseas government language programme, or undertake research or a fellowship through an approved exchange scheme.

GAE Workers can stay in the UK for a maximum of 12 months or 2 years, depending on the scheme under which they are sponsored.

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