Visa sponsorship for international interns

GTI can sponsor UK visa applications for international students looking to join internship programmes in the UK.

GTI holds an ‘A rated’ Government Authorised Exchange Sponsor Licence which permits us to assign Certificates of Sponsorship on behalf of UK employers and provide ongoing visa sponsorship management during the internship.

Formerly known as the ‘Tier 5 Intern Scheme’, we have operated this Government Authorised Exchange scheme since 2010.

What is involved?

Employers need to be approved by GTI and agree to meet the rules of the scheme before sponsorship can be agreed.

Get in touch

  • 1. Employer approval

    Employers need to be approved by GTI and agree to meet the rules of the scheme before sponsorship can be agreed.

  • 2. Initial setup

    During an initial set-up phase, employers complete an application form and participate in a meeting with GTI to discuss requirements. They will be expected to supply details of their organisational structure, internship programme, HR policies and procedures and submit to background checks before accepting terms & conditions and being approved to join the scheme.

  • 3. Certificates of sponsorship

    Once approved to join the scheme, employers can request Certificates of Sponsorship for their interns as and when they run their internships.

  • 4. Intern application

    Interns will need to make their Government Authorised Exchange visa applications directly to the Home Office before they can start work in the UK.

  • 5. Record-keeping and reporting

    During the internship, employers will be expected to meet set record-keeping and reporting duties in order to maintain their intern’s continued UK work permission.

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Timeframes

Initial assessment

The initial employer assessment and set up with GTI can typically be completed within 1-2 weeks and is contingent on availability for the registration meeting.

Certificate requests

Requests for Certificates of Sponsorship can typically be returned within 3 working days of receipt of the completed request form and all supporting documents required.

Intern application

Interns can submit visa applications to the Home Office within 3 months of the internship start date. The Home Office target a turnaround of 15 working days for applications made overseas and 8 weeks for applications made within the UK.

What does it cost?

The cost of the initial employer assessment and set up plus sponsorship of the first intern would be £750 +VAT. Thereafter, we charge £750+VAT per Certificate of Sponsorship issued

Visa application fees will be payable by the Intern to the Home Office when they submit their visa application

What do I do next?

In order to join the scheme, employers should register via the application form.

Register now
£750+VAT
Initial employer assessment
Set-up
Sponsorship of first intern

Thereafter, we charge £750+VAT per Certificate of Sponsorship issued

Get in touch

London

Mon to Fri from 9am to 5.30pm

admin@internvisa.com
+44 (0)20 7654 7224