Tier 5 Government Authorised Exchange

The Tier 5 Government Authorised Exchange is designed for individuals who are looking come into the UK on approved schemes, the aim of which, is normally to share knowledge and best practices. It may also be for experience and cultural exploration in the UK. It is not designed or intended to fill employment vacancies or to hire unskilled labour to the United Kingdom. The sponsor in this category is normally an overarching institution that manages the country's exchange scheme. It is very important that the overacting body has the support of the UK government. It is also important to note that private employers are not allowed to sponsor migrants in this immigration category notwithstanding their sponsor license.

Exceptions

Exceptions to private sponsorship include :-

If the applicant is coming to the UK as a sponsored researcher. In this case, you can either be sponsored by a higher educational institutions or a government body.
Every job or employment under this category must be ok or above NVQ or SVQ level 3. The exception to this is where he applicant is taking part in a scheme set designed as part of the EU's lifelong learning programme.

The length of stay under this visa is usually 1 or 2 years. This largely depends on your current scheme as well as the duration of your employment as stated on your COS.

Switching Into Tier 5 Government Authorised Exchange

Work permit holders are permitted to switch into the Tier 5 Government Authorised Exchange as long as their last grant of leave was as a sponsored researcher and have been had their COS granted to carry on in that employment. Tier 4 General student visa holders including students re-sitting exams, student union sabbatical officers, student union sabbatical officers, persons writing up a thesis, Post grad doctors and dentists are able to switch into this sub category if:-

They have lawfully obtained their academic qualification
They have lawfully undergone at least 12. Months research as a PhD student and are undertaking training and/or professional experience which is related to their academic field of study or their research.
Can demonstrate an intention to pursue an overseas career after completing their research, training or work experience.
have lawfully:obtained a UK bachelors, masters degree, PGCE, PGDE; or completed at least 12 months study in the UK towards a UK PhD
and - are undertaking a period of postgraduate professional training or work experience which is directly relevant to their qualification described above; and intend to pursue a career overseas at the end of the period of work experience or training.

Tier 5 Government Authorised Exchange Visa Extension

Tier 5 Government Authorised Exchange Visa Extension If your current leave to remain in the UK is under the Tier 5 Government Authorised Exchange, you can apply to extend your leave to remain in the acme category during your qualifying period. You may be allowed to extend your visa for 12 or 24 months depending on the scheme you are on. Which means that your extension is dependent upon when you were granted visa under the government authorised exchanged category and the scheme in use. You may also be able to stay for the duration on your certificate of sponsorship with additional 14 days.

What Qualifies You?

If you want to a visa extension on this category, you are required to have the following:

A certificate of sponsorship reference number from your UK sponsor
Your 'A-rated sponsor who states on your certificate of sponsorship that they are responsible for your maintenance and will not claim benefits during your stay. Otherwise, you must have £945 in savings - which proves that you can comfortably support yourself and this amount must have been in your account for 90 days before your application commences.

You are also required to provide your biometric data which includes your fingerprint and photo.

How Long Does It Take?

Once you have been validated of meeting the immigration requirement under the government authorised exchange category, you will to proceed with your application which can take up to 8 weeks for online or postal applications. You may also be able to get a same day premium service if you get in touch with us. Although you will be contacted if your application encounters some complications which requires us to adequately verify. You may also be required to attend an interview to prove that the information on your supporting documents are true as well as to explain any previous personal circumstances you may have encountered such as a criminal conviction. After you have submitted your application, you will be able to remain in the UK a decision is reached, regarding your visa extension application. This also depends on when you applied for the extension. In other words, you will need to apply for an extension before your visa expires.