This visa route was formerly known as Tier 5 (GAE).
The Government Authorised Exchange (Temporary Work) (GAE) visa category “is for individuals coming to the United Kingdom through approved schemes that aim to share knowledge, experience and best practice” and is open to all non-UK/Irish nationals. This is normally for visitors to the University, but can be used for employees if the role is not a 'geuine vacancy' and the other criteria below are met.
In practice, as a Higher Education Institution, we are permitted to use the GAE visa route to sponsor 'researchers' (which includes academics, researchers, scientists, research engineers or other skilled research technology specialists) for a maximum duration of 2 years to undertake the following activities:
- A formal research project or collaboration*;
- A period of work-based training/work experience/internship/placement;
- Skill development/knowledge transfer;
- A series of lectures, which doesn’t amount to a formal teaching post*;
- External examinations*.
* Visits of 6 months or less which involve these activities can now be accommodated under the Standard Visitor (business category) visa route.
The full criteria for the Higher Education GAE visa scheme can be downloaded here.
GAE visa eligibility
The manner in which we can engage with an individual through one of the above activities is governed by a strict set of parameters, set out below.
The activities/work:
- must never amount to ‘a genuine vacancy’ (in other words, the work/activity must be over and above the department/institution's normal staffing requirements, and the role would not be automatically refilled once the individual leaves); and
- must conform to UK employment legislation and any funding/salary received must meet UK National Minimum Wage (NMW) requirements (see notes below); and
- must be skilled to at least level 3 on the National Qualification Framework (which is broadly defined as ‘A level and above').
Notes:
- If you are unsure how many hours per week a GAE visa holder can 'work', please use our calculator.
- Individuals undertaking work shadowing, work experience or internships may not be entitled to the National Minimum Wage due to specific legislative exemptions. Further guidance is available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-minimum-wage-work-experience-and-internships.
- Individuals funded by Erasmus+ are likewise exempt from the requirement to meet UK NMW.
The sponsored person:
- may be funded by the University, their overseas employer, or an independent UK or non-UK funding body; and
- can be our employee, if necessary; and
- does not have to be employed overseas to be eligible for sponsorship under this scheme; and
- is permitted to receive funding on a weekly, monthly or annual basis, or in one lump sum; but cannot be self-funded (i.e. funds from savings/loans, a pension, money borrowed from family/friends); and
- is permitted to undertake supplementary work (see below), but cannot undertake volunteering.
Other requirements
Finance/Maintenance
For GAE applicants, the department can certify that, should it become necessary, you will 'maintain and accommodate' the visitor (and their dependants if you wish) up to the end of the first month of each of their grants of permission.
What does it mean in practice?
This is not a commitment to provide financial support; it simply means that the applicant will not need to submit bank statements with their application. However, you should bear in mind that, if you agree and for some reason it is necessary, you would need to provide the funds up to the amounts below.
If you do not wish to certify the ‘Financial Requirement’, then for visa purposes the individual and each of their dependants must meet these requirements:
- The following minimum funds must be held, and evidenced, by the applicant in a bank/savings account for at least 28 days:
- Main applicant - funds of £1,270
- Spouse/Partner - funds of £285
- First child - funds of £315
- Each additional child - funds of £200
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) requirement
International researchers who are applying for a GAE visa and who meet the eligibility criteria* must have obtained an ATAS certificate before submitting their visa application. The ATAS requirement only applies to certain nationalities, and in certain roles and research fields.
As part of the ATAS application process, the individual will be required to submit information about their programme of research including the relevant 'CAH3' code. This must be arranged by the recruiting department/institution, via an HR58 form.
* For further guidance on the ATAS scheme and making an application, please see:
Applying for a GAE visa
The University provides a list of FAQs to all GAE visa CoS recipients regarding the processes and procedures to obtain a visa. These are provided by e-mail to the applicant alongside the CoS.
Anyone applying inside the UK must apply for their new visa before their existing visa expires. Failure to do so will jeopardise their ability to continue their visit at the University.
Family members
A GAE visa holder’s family members are allowed to work if they are accompanying or joining them in the UK provided they have the correct visa to do so. Please see our dependant visas webpage for guidance. Family members who come to the UK on a Standard Visitor visa are not permitted to work.
Supplementary work
GAE visa holders are permitted, in certain circumstances, to undertake other work in addition to that for which they are sponsored.
The activities/work:
- must be in an occupation code on the Immigration Salary List or in the higher education sector at the same level (in other words, in the same occupation code) as the sponsored role; and
- must not be for more than 20 hours per week; and
- must be carried out in addition to the normal working hours for which you are sponsored; and
- can be undertaken with any employer and they do not have to be a licensed sponsor.
The sponsored person:
- must remain hosted/employed by their current sponsor; and
- does not have to inform UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) that they are undertaking supplementary work.
The sponsor is not required to undertake any reporting or record keeping duties whilst the sponsored individual is completing supplementary work.
However, if supplementary work is to be carried out at the University of Cambridge by someone who is not already sponsored by the University, a right to work check must be taken. The person must also provide a letter or other evidence from their sponsor confirming:
- That they are employed by their sponsor; and
- Their job title; and
- The SOC code under which they are sponsored; and
- Their contractual working hours.
If you have any queries about supplementary work, please contact the HR Compliance Team.
Voluntary work
Unpaid voluntary work is permitted as long as it falls within the above conditions, and is for one of the following:
- a registered charity; or
- a voluntary organisation; or
- an associated fundraising body (an organisation that raises money for a charity or voluntary organisation); or
- a statutory body (a government-appointed body, for example Historic England).
Last updated: March 2026
Owner: HR Compliance Team