Temporary Worker:
Government Authorized Exchange Visa (TW GAE)
INSTRUCTIONS
You are required to apply and receive a Government Authorised Exchange Visa (Temporary Work) before your departure from the United States. Visas are granted by the UK Home Office and serve as evidence of your right to enter the UK. Without the correct visa, you risk the possibility of deportation.
Once you have accepted an internship offer, please keep an eye on your email inbox as API will send additional instructions and reminders throughout the visa process. It’s important to stay on top of the visa process, as delays could result in not being able to participate in the program.
Obtaining your GAE Temporary Work Visa
As an intern, you will be applying for the Government Authorised Exchange Visa (Temporary Work). To apply for a visa, you must have a passport that is valid for at least 180 days beyond the end of your internship program. It is your responsibility, with API’s assistance, to obtain the visa and to verify the requirements with the British Consulate before submitting your application. API will assist you by supplying the necessary documentation, but API and Fragomen cannot guarantee the outcome of the visa application.
In order to apply for a work visa for the UK you need the following:
- A valid passport*
- An internship offer
- A certificate of sponsorship
- A biometrics visa appointment
If you are not a US Citizen please email [email protected] in order to confirm what you will need in order to complete visa requirements.
*If you do not already have a valid passport, you should apply for or renew your passport immediately. The passport must be valid at least 180 days beyond the end of your program. You will be required to submit your passport to the British Consulate with the visa application.
Once you have accepted an internship position, API will work with Fragomen to supply the required documentation needed to receive your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This document is required to submit your visa application. Please note, you are responsible for a fee of ($1,150) to obtain the CoS. This fee is in addition to the visa processing fees (paid directly to UKVI).
Once you have received your CoS, you will schedule a biometrics appointment to apply independently for the GAE visa, or opt in to apply for the GAE visa with the support of Fragomen for an additional fee.
The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
A Certificate of Sponsorship is a unique reference number that holds information about you and the internship you will be doing while in London. Your CoS will be issued through Fragomen who partners with API and is authorized by the UK Home Office as a sponsoring agency to issue the CoS on behalf of your employer in order to obtain your visa. Because the CoS requires information about your employer, the CoS cannot be processed until you have a confirmed internship position.
Obtaining your CoS
From start to finish, it can take up to 3-4 weeks to process your CoS, so it is important to begin this process as soon as you have signed your internship offer with API. Once you have accepted your internship API will submit your case to Fragomen directly on your behalf in order to process your CoS. API will share the following documentation with Fragomen, as is required for the CoS: CV/Resume, Transcript, Passport, and information about your internship position. Please note: You will be responsible for all fees related to acquisition of the certificate of sponsorship and visa. Obtaining the certificate of sponsorship has a fee of $1,150, paid through APIConnect.
Next Step: Apply for a UK Government Authorised Exchange Visa (Temporary Work)
Once your CoS has been obtained, you must apply for your Government Authorised Exchange Visa (Temporary Work) directly through the British Government website with all other relevant documentation. Visa fees are updated regularly by the UKVI, please review the website for an updated list of fees, paid directly to UKVI.
Fragomen also provides full visa support services for an additional fee. This includes reviewing your visa documentation and booking your biometrics appointment. If you wish to add on this additional service, please notify API when beginning the visa process.
Visa Processing Times:
On average, straight forward applications are processed within 15-20 business days (3-4 weeks) from receipt of application, however the process could take longer depending on individual circumstances. Participants are advised to submit their visa application and schedule their biometrics appointment at least 6 weeks in advance of their planned departure. You can review current processing times here.
Before attending your biometrics appointment you should decide if you want to register for priority processing of your visa for an extra fee. If you pay for ‘Priority Service’ the visa is generally issued within 3-7 business days. PLEASE let us know if you choose to have your visa processed using Priority Service!
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
- Chat with us using the chat feature on our website, https://apiabroad.com
- Email your Program Coordinator, or if you don’t have one yet, email [email protected]
- Call the API main line at (512) 600-8900
DISCLAIMER:
Consulates may change their rules, fees, and regulations at any time. Be advised that API does not have any control over consular procedures, and requirements vary greatly between consulates. For this reason, your primary source of information regarding visas should be your local consulate. API can offer advice based upon our past experiences working with participants, but please be aware that each situation is unique and immigration rules are constantly evolving. The ultimate authority on the visa process will be representatives of the consulate for your jurisdiction.
The information outlined here pertains specifically to participants who are U.S. citizens. Participants who are not U.S. citizens are advised to consult with their local consulate for requirements. API can only offer limited advice for students who are not U.S. citizens, but in many cases, non-U.S. citizens will have additional requirements for visas in terms of required documentation and locations where they are eligible to apply for their visa. Additionally, students who plan on traveling outside of the UK during their intern abroad session may require additional documentation beyond the Government Authorised Exchange visa for that travel.