The Tier 5 Government Authorised Exchange are for individuals who would like to come into the UK on approved schemes. For expert assistance with your immigration matter, contact Reiss Edwards, immigration lawyers and solicitors in London, on 020 3744 2797 or by email at info@reissedwards.co.uk
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 to private sponsorship include :-
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.
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:-
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.
If you want to a visa extension on this category, you are required to have the following:
You are also required to provide your biometric data which includes your fingerprint and photo.
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.
If you would like professional advice and more information on the government authorised exchange visa, our immigration solicitors can help.