Temporary Worker - Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) Visas

The Temporary Worker (GAE) visa is for individuals who want to come to the United Kingdom to undertake research programmes and fellowships on a scientific, academic, medical or government research project at a UK Higher Education Provider.

As a Higher Education Institution, we are able to sponsor individuals under the Government Authorised Exchange ‘Sponsored Researchers’ Scheme.

A Sponsored Researcher includes academics, researchers, scientists, research engineers or other skilled research technology specialists.

A Sponsored Researcher may give lectures (which does not amount to a formal teaching post), act as an examiner, undertake skill development/knowledge transfer, undertake a period of work-based training/work experience/internship/placement or work on research collaborations.

The manner in which we can engage with an individual is governed by a strict set of parameters:

• The work or activities undertaken must never amount to a ‘genuine vacancy’ – the role must be over and above our normal staffing requirements and not be automatically refilled once the individual leaves
• Any funding/salary received must meet national minimum wage requirements
• The individual cannot be self-funded
• The individual may be funded by their overseas employer, or an independent UK or non-UK funding body
• The work must be skilled to at least Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 3 – A level and above
• The visa is valid for a maximum period of 2 years and cannot be extended

Individuals must be sponsored by the University and hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) before applying for a visa. 

Overseas PhD Students

Overseas PhD students who are coming to the UK to undertake research may be eligible for a Temporary Worker (GAE) visa, however, there are certain situations where this visa route is not suitable.  Please refer to the Overseas PhD Students flowchart to determine which is the most appropriate visa route.

Alternative Routes

Standard Visitor Visa

Academic visitors to the UK may be able to apply for the Standard Visitor visa route instead of a Temporary Worker GAE visa.  

Please refer to our Visitor Visa Types and Permitted Activities document to help you to determine the correct route for your visit to the University of Huddersfield.   

Visitors must check that they meet the eligibility criteria and requirements for the route they choose.

Further information on the Standard Visitor Visa route can be found within the box below.

Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visa

If you are coming to the University of Huddersfield for a brief visit to undertake external examining duties, a Permitted Paid Engagement visa may be more appropriate. 

Further information on the PPE Visa route can be found within the box below.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

Researchers must apply for an ATAS certificate if they are engaged in an ATAS categorised sensitive subject as part of the visa application process. 

Further information on the ATAS requirement can be found within the box below.

 

Student Visa Holders

From 17 July 2023, Student visa holders applying for this visa route must meet one of the following conditions on the date they make their application to be allowed to switch:

• they must have completed the course of study for which they were being sponsored as a Student
• they must be studying a full-time course of study at degree level or above with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance, and the start date on their CoS must be no earlier than the course completion date
• they must be studying a full-time course of study leading to the award of a PhD with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance, and the start date on their CoS must be no earlier than 24 months after the start date of their PhD