Eligibility Criteria

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In order to apply for a GAE visa, the individual must apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). We will be able to offer sponsorship if the role, the candidate, and the employer meet the following criteria.

 

Eligibility Criteria

+ The Intern

  • Must be above 18 years of age
  • Must have a degree awarded within the last three years or be currently enrolled on a degree-level course (this should be a Bachelor, Master, or PhD. Qualifications and educational institutions must be recognised by UK ECCTIS.

+ The Role

  • Must be full time (at least 35 hours per week) and meet the National Minimum Wage. Interns must be employed by a UK company directly and on their payroll, paid in GBP.
  • Must be temporary (Maximum 12 months, minimum 4 weeks)
  • Must be training-based and supernumerary (outside of the organisation's regular staffing requirements)
  • Must be a skilled position (NVQ Level 3 or above)
  • There may be a limit to how many interns a company can recruit depending on the size of the company.

+ The employer

  • Must be a UK registered company, charity or government department
  • Must be able to provide evidence of VAT, PAYE registration, Employer's Liability Insurance, and 3 months' company bank statements (if not a Skilled Worker sponsor)
  • Must have the financial and personnel resources to support and supervise the Intern throughout the period of their internship
  • We cannot sponsor for sole traders or for the following industries: hospitality, care, agriculture, or law sectors.
  • There may be a limit to how many interns a company can recruit depending on the size of the company.

+ In most cases the visa must be applied for from outside the UK. There are a few exceptions for those who meet extra criteria

  • Those wishing to switch from a Student Visa to the GAE within the UK must have completed a UK bachelor’s or master’s degree during their last grant of leave
  • Student visa to GAE switches must be offered a role that is directly related to the degree awarded during their most recent grant of leave as a student.
  • Those wishing to apply for an extension to their current GAE must be offered a role that shows clear progression from their previous position.
  • Those wishing to apply for an extension to their current GAE must apply from outside the UK if exceeding a 12 month period.
  • All other eligibilty criteria applies.