Unlock Flexible Recruitment and UK Entry for Medium-Skilled Talent (As per Official Home Office Guidance)
Is your business looking for effective ways to hire international professionals for short-term projects or internships? Following the Home Office’s July 2025 changes to the Skilled Worker route, many UK companies are discovering the Temporary Work – Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) route as an alternative for talent acquisition and professional development.
What is the GAE Route? Who Is Eligible?
Temporary Work – Government Authorised Exchange is a UK Home Office-approved route designed for short-term placements, internships, research, exchanges, and training via official sponsoring bodies.
Applicants must be sponsored under a specific Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) scheme approved by the Home Office. The complete list of qualifying schemes is published in the official document.
These schemes cover:
- Internships and professional placements (e.g., AIESEC, BUNAC, GTI, Mountbatten).
- Academic and research fellowships (Chevening, Fulbright, Chatham House, UKRI, Sponsored Researchers, Medical Training Initiative).
- Cultural and government exchanges (British Council Foreign Language Assistants, China–UK Mandarin Teachers Scheme, Finance Ministries and Central Banks Programme).
Key Advantages of the GAE Route
- Access to 134 SOC codes: Includes many roles excluded from the Skilled Worker route, subject to scheme terms.
- Competitive salary requirements: Meeting UK Minimum Wage, not subject to Skilled Worker salary bands.
- Easy process: No need for Immigration Salary List or Shortage Occupation List eligibility.
- Up to 12 months of flexibility: Perfect for internships, project roles, and skill-sharing programmes.
- No Immigration Skills Charge: Lower recruitment costs.
Employer Sponsorship Requirements for GAE Route
Employers must be registered as an official sponsor for the relevant GAE scheme and have the Government Authorised Exchange route in their Sponsor Licence.
Who Can Benefit?
- Employers: Technology firms, healthcare providers, creative agencies, and businesses needing short-term or project-based talent, through approved exchange schemes.
- Graduates & Early-career specialists: Candidates seeking experience in the UK, provided they are applying via a Home Office-approved scheme.
GAE Route vs Skilled Worker Route
| Criteria | Skilled Worker | Temporary Work – GAE |
| Qualification Level | RQF 6 (graduate) | RQF 3–5 (medium) |
| Salary Requirement | £41,700+ | UK Minimum Wage (£12.2 per hour for those aged 21 and over) |
| Visa Duration | Up to 5 years | Depending on the scheme, you will be granted a visa for a maximum of 12 or 24 months |
| Skills Charge | Yes | No |
| Health Surcharge | Yes | Yes |
| Application Process | Moderate | Simple & fast |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | You must pay IHS | You must pay IHS |
Sterling Law — Trusted UK Immigration Specialists
As a Legal 500 firm, Sterling Law delivers:
- Personalised consultation for employers and candidates.
- Expert advice on GAE scheme selection and compliance.
- Document preparation and verification.
- End-to-end legal guidance up to visa approval.
Ready to benefit from the GAE route? Our immigration lawyers guarantee effective, compliant results for your business or career.
Book your free consultation now for expert guidance on UK Temporary Work – Government Authorised Exchange visa applications and workforce planning.
