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Temporary Work Visas

Section 1: Purpose and Contents of this page:

This page has been created to give guidance for Temporary worker and Youth mobility routes


Section 2: Temporary Work – Government Authorised Exchange visa

This route may be a useful option for someone wanting to undertake professional training that is not possible to do under the Skilled Worker Route. It is for applicants coming to the UK through approved schemes that aim to share knowledge, experience and best practice through work placements, whilst experiencing the wider social and cultural setting of the UK. This category cannot be used to fill job vacancies or provide a way to bring unskilled labour to the UK.

You can apply for a Temporary Worker - Government Authorised Exchange visa if you:

  • want to come to the UK for a short time for work experience or to do training, an Overseas Government Language Programme, research or a fellowship through an approved government authorised exchange schemeLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window
    • if you are in the UK then you can only switch to this category if you currently hold a Student Visa
  • have a sponsor
  • meet the other eligibility requirements such as certificate of sponsorship, financial requirement (saving £1270 for 28 days or have been living in the UK for 12 months before application) etc

Your partner and children can apply to join you or to stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible. If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours.

Section 3: Youth Mobility

This is aimed at those applicants who are more than 18 years old but less than 30 years old at the time of applying, to enable them to come to the UK to work for 2 years. You can apply for a (Youth Mobility Scheme) visa if you’re from:

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Hong Kong
  • Japan
  • Monaco
  • New Zealand
  • Republic of Korea
  • San Marino
  • Taiwan

You can also apply if you’re 18 to 30 and a:

You can’t apply if you have:

  • children under the age of 18 who live with you
  • children you’re financially responsible for
  • already been in the UK under the scheme

There is no limit on the number of hours you can spend working under this category. It is also possible to undertake self-funded study on this type of visa.


Money Requirements

You must have at least £2,530 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK.

You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.

You’ll need to show proof of this when you apply.

Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.


What you can and cannot do

You can:

  • study - for some courses you’ll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate
  • work in most jobs
  • be self-employed and set up a company - as long as your premises are rented, your equipment is not worth more than £5,000 and you do not have any employees

You cannot:

  • work as a professional sportsperson (for example as a coach)
  • extend your stay
  • get public funds
  • bring in family members on your application - they must apply separately

Page Change Log:

Page Audit Review:
Previous Review Date Reviewed By Next Review Date
26 Apr 2022 ISA: YA 26 Apr 2023
Page Updates:
Section Updated Sub Section Short summary of update Updated By Updated When
All All Page Created ISA: YA 26 Apr 2022