This visa is for migrants who want to come to the UK to work in schemes approved by the British Government. There are various such schemes, comprising work experience programmes, research programmes, overseas government language programmes and various training programmes.

Some of these schemes provide a relatively easy way for a migrant to acquire experience of living and working in the UK. Migrants can remain in the UK on these types of visa for either 12 or 24 months, depending on the type of programme.

There is no English language requirement for Tier 5 Government Authorised Exchange visa applicants.