Important Updates
Important Updates
October 3, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Supreme Court Again Permits DHS to Terminate 2023 TPS Designation for Venezuela While Litigation Continues
October 3, 2025 | ArgentinaArgentina: Provisional Certificate Policy Change Extends In-Country Work Authorization Timelines
October 3, 2025 | KazakhstanKazakhstan: New Work Permit Process Rules, Including Labor Market Test and New Online Portal
October 3, 2025 | United StatesThe American Lawyer: Proposed H-1B Changes Make Foreign Lawyers More Expensive, but Also More Accessible
October 3, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Lawsuit Filed Challenging New H-1B Restrictions and $100,000 Fee
October 3, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Supreme Court Again Permits DHS to Terminate 2023 TPS Designation for Venezuela While Litigation Continues
October 3, 2025 | ArgentinaArgentina: Provisional Certificate Policy Change Extends In-Country Work Authorization Timelines
October 3, 2025 | KazakhstanKazakhstan: New Work Permit Process Rules, Including Labor Market Test and New Online Portal
October 3, 2025 | United StatesThe American Lawyer: Proposed H-1B Changes Make Foreign Lawyers More Expensive, but Also More Accessible
October 3, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Lawsuit Filed Challenging New H-1B Restrictions and $100,000 Fee
October 3, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Supreme Court Again Permits DHS to Terminate 2023 TPS Designation for Venezuela While Litigation Continues
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapCenter for Strategy and Applied InsightsVietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Center for Strategy and Applied Insights
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

What is the UK’s Temporary Worker - Government Authorised Exchange Scheme?

May 12, 2022

Country / Territory

  • United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Related contacts

Pina Mistry - web porthole

Pina Mistry

Senior Manager

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 207 090 9170

Related offices

  • London

Related content

  • Fragomen International Internship Scheme – Temporary Worker Government Authorised Exchange (formerly Tier 5)

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Pina Mistry - web porthole

Pina Mistry

Senior Manager

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 207 090 9170

Related offices

  • London

Related content

  • Fragomen International Internship Scheme – Temporary Worker Government Authorised Exchange (formerly Tier 5)

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Pina Mistry - web porthole

Pina Mistry

Senior Manager

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 207 090 9170

Related offices

  • London

Related content

  • Fragomen International Internship Scheme – Temporary Worker Government Authorised Exchange (formerly Tier 5)

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

By: Pina Mistry, Jonathan Cunningham

The Temporary Worker - Government Authorised Exchange Scheme is intended for those who want to come to the UK:

  • For a temporary period of time for work experience, job shadowing or training;
  • To take part in an Overseas Government Language Programme
  • To undertake research or a fellowship through an approved exchange scheme.

Typically, this route would be applicable to those seeking an internship as part of degree level studies overseas or for internships/work placements for new graduates wanting to take their first career steps in their chosen field. Due to the rapid growth of the global technology sector and a clear desire by international governments to attract more investment in this area, internships within the industry are very much ‘in-vogue’ at the moment as people look to gain experience to kick start their career in this sector.

The tech industry relies on internships to source talent and provide valuable work experience to those they seek to attract. Talent is sourced on a global basis, which can present challenges when looking to obtain immigration permission.

Immigration permission for internships

Internships, by nature, should be additional to normal staffing requirements, but they do require ‘hands-on work’ and, therefore, neither the Skilled Worker route nor the Business Visitor route are appropriate where you find a candidate who requires immigration permission. The only UK visa category suitable for an  internship would be the Temporary Worker Government Authorised Exchange (TW GAE) route.

How can Fragomen assist

Rather than sponsoring an intern via a company-held sponsor licence, which is how the skilled worker route operates, the sponsor under the TW GAE scheme must be a separate overarching body approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to ‘sponsor’ such individuals to undertake the internship. Fragomen LLP have been approved by UKVI to hold such a sponsor licence, the Fragomen International Internship Scheme, which we have had in place for over ten years.

We are the only immigration services provider to have been granted this licence and can help tech companies to manage the immigration aspects of the end to end internship process, including the full visa application. As part of our service, we can fully assess whether the applicant will be able to meet the criteria of our scheme as well as the underlying rules set by UKVI. We can also provide full legal representation for the business and the applicant throughout the application process.

Under our International Internship Scheme, we can sponsor individuals to undertake an internship for up to 12 months. If the internship is six months or less, it will be exempt from paying the health surcharge, which is normally set at £624 per year. The internship role must be additional to normal staffing requirements and must be at a sufficient skill level. In this case, ‘RQF level 3,’ which is essentially the same skill level that needs to be met under the Skilled Worker category.

What are the benefits to the business?

As the tech sector is a very competitive and a somewhat niche industry, getting ahead of the game to secure the brightest and most innovative talent is key. These individuals are often at the start of their careers or still in education, representing untapped talent with the potential to add high value to your organisation and the sector.

Using our scheme, you can get a feel for the candidate’s skill set and suitability for your business, with the option of offering a full-time role in the future through sponsorship as a Skilled Worker (if your business is licensed and authorised to do so by UKVI). Utilising the internship scheme, therefore, allows you to secure talent for your organisation that may otherwise be missed under more conventional hiring practices.

We believe that this scheme presents a win-win situation for candidates and the business. Candidates get the benefit of learning about the tech industry, as well as gaining crucial experience and insight into the sector. The business benefits from the input of the intern and their early recruitment into the business. This gives the business a competitive advantage when it comes to recruiting for longer-term roles, as they are well positioned to retain the strongest candidates after the internship and place them into permanent positions within the organisation.  

Need to know more?

For further information, please contact [email protected]. This blog was published Friday, 13 May 2022. The UK Immigration Rules change frequently. To keep up-to-date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please visit our dedicated COVID-19 site, subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. 

Country / Territory

  • United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Related contacts

Pina Mistry - web porthole

Pina Mistry

Senior Manager

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 207 090 9170

Related offices

  • London

Related content

  • Fragomen International Internship Scheme – Temporary Worker Government Authorised Exchange (formerly Tier 5)

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Pina Mistry - web porthole

Pina Mistry

Senior Manager

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 207 090 9170

Related offices

  • London

Related content

  • Fragomen International Internship Scheme – Temporary Worker Government Authorised Exchange (formerly Tier 5)

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Pina Mistry - web porthole

Pina Mistry

Senior Manager

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 207 090 9170

Related offices

  • London

Related content

  • Fragomen International Internship Scheme – Temporary Worker Government Authorised Exchange (formerly Tier 5)

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Video

Bangladesh: Security Clearances and Challenges

Senior Manager Corrine Tan and Assistant Business Immigration Manager Joycelyn Ang discuss Bangladesh’s work permit security clearance process.

Learn more

Media mentions

The American Lawyer: Proposed H-1B Changes Make Foreign Lawyers More Expensive, but Also More Accessible

Partner Bo Cooper outlines how the proposed H-1B changes could affect Big Law hiring for foreign lawyers.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年9月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Computer Weekly: How UK Immigration Must Evolve to Attract the Best Global Talent

Senior Manager Kinka Tonchev highlights how UK immigration must adapt to attract, retain and support the world’s top talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration Compliance: Is Your Firm Violating Visa Rules?

Manager Kirsty Moore and Trainee Solicitor Amanda Ong highlight rising UK construction sponsor licence risks and how businesses can stay compliant.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Abeer Al Husseini Recognised at the Gulf Business Awards 2025

Partner Abeer Al Husseini is recognised on the shortlist for "Women Leader of the Year" at the Gulf Business Awards 2025.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Washington Post: How Companies Might Avoid Trump’s New $100K Visa

Co-Chair Enrique Gonzalez highlights approaches for companies navigating changes to the H-1B visa process.

Learn more

Video

How to Get Your French Work Visa After Graduation: Job Seeker / Company Creation Permit

Learn how international graduates can stay in France for one year to find work or start a business. Discover eligibility requirements, application steps and transition options for the Job Seeker/New Business Creator permit. 

Learn more

Awards

Partner Priscilla Muhlenkamp Named 2025 National Law Journal Awards Finalist for "DC Managing Partner of the Year"

Partner Priscilla Muhlenkamp is a finalist for the 2025 National Law Journal Awards category, "DC Managing Partner of the Year."

Learn more

Media mentions

Post Bulletin: Trump’s New $100K Fee on Certain Work Visas Could Impact Rochester’s Medical Staff

Partner Bo Cooper highlights that new $100K H-1B fees could affect US employers, with possible exemptions for critical roles.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Caterer: Businesses Need to Be Ready for Government Crackdown on Sponsor Licences

Partner Louise Senior highlights the impact of record-breaking UK sponsor licence revocations and the steps hospitality businesses can take to manage compliance.

Learn more

Media mentions

Folha de São Paulo: Taxa de US$ 100 mil para visto dos EUA muda planosde brasileiros; veja opções

Partner Bo Cooper explores the impact of H-1B visa changes on companies and their talent strategies.

Learn more

Video

Bangladesh: Security Clearances and Challenges

Senior Manager Corrine Tan and Assistant Business Immigration Manager Joycelyn Ang discuss Bangladesh’s work permit security clearance process.

Learn more

Media mentions

The American Lawyer: Proposed H-1B Changes Make Foreign Lawyers More Expensive, but Also More Accessible

Partner Bo Cooper outlines how the proposed H-1B changes could affect Big Law hiring for foreign lawyers.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年9月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Computer Weekly: How UK Immigration Must Evolve to Attract the Best Global Talent

Senior Manager Kinka Tonchev highlights how UK immigration must adapt to attract, retain and support the world’s top talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration Compliance: Is Your Firm Violating Visa Rules?

Manager Kirsty Moore and Trainee Solicitor Amanda Ong highlight rising UK construction sponsor licence risks and how businesses can stay compliant.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Abeer Al Husseini Recognised at the Gulf Business Awards 2025

Partner Abeer Al Husseini is recognised on the shortlist for "Women Leader of the Year" at the Gulf Business Awards 2025.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Washington Post: How Companies Might Avoid Trump’s New $100K Visa

Co-Chair Enrique Gonzalez highlights approaches for companies navigating changes to the H-1B visa process.

Learn more

Video

How to Get Your French Work Visa After Graduation: Job Seeker / Company Creation Permit

Learn how international graduates can stay in France for one year to find work or start a business. Discover eligibility requirements, application steps and transition options for the Job Seeker/New Business Creator permit. 

Learn more

Awards

Partner Priscilla Muhlenkamp Named 2025 National Law Journal Awards Finalist for "DC Managing Partner of the Year"

Partner Priscilla Muhlenkamp is a finalist for the 2025 National Law Journal Awards category, "DC Managing Partner of the Year."

Learn more

Media mentions

Post Bulletin: Trump’s New $100K Fee on Certain Work Visas Could Impact Rochester’s Medical Staff

Partner Bo Cooper highlights that new $100K H-1B fees could affect US employers, with possible exemptions for critical roles.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Caterer: Businesses Need to Be Ready for Government Crackdown on Sponsor Licences

Partner Louise Senior highlights the impact of record-breaking UK sponsor licence revocations and the steps hospitality businesses can take to manage compliance.

Learn more

Media mentions

Folha de São Paulo: Taxa de US$ 100 mil para visto dos EUA muda planosde brasileiros; veja opções

Partner Bo Cooper explores the impact of H-1B visa changes on companies and their talent strategies.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.