Government Authorised Exchange visa (Temporary Work)
Extend your visa
You can apply to extend your Temporary Work – Government Authorised Exchange visa.
You should apply before your current visa expires.
Eligibility
You might be able to extend your stay. You must still meet the eligibility requirements.
You must apply while you’re still in the UK.
How long you can stay
You can apply to stay in the UK for up to a maximum of:
- 12 months, if you’re doing work experience
- 24 months, if you’re doing research, training or an Overseas Government Language Programme
You can also stay for the length of time on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.
Apply to extend your Government Authorised Exchange visa
You must apply online before your current visa expires.
Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.
Continue your application
Find out how to sign in to your account.
Your partner and children
Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically extend if you extend yours. If they do not extend their visa, it will be valid until its original end date. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
Providing biometric information and supporting documents
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.
You’ll either:
- give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) - this is to get a biometric residence permit
- use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
How long it takes
A decision will be made within 8 weeks of your application date if you use the standard service.
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.
Once you’ve got your decision letter, your biometric residence permit will take up to 10 working days to arrive.
You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example because:
- if your supporting documents need to be verified
- if you need to attend an interview
- because of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction
Changing your sponsor
You must apply again and meet all the eligibility rules if you want to change your sponsor within the same organisation or move to a new organisation.