Visa for Your Internship in the UK:
Sponsorship with VisaNerd

Since Brexit, an internship in the United Kingdom has become bureaucratically more demanding for EU citizens. The solution is the Temporary Work GAE Visa (Government Authorised Exchange). Since this visa strictly requires an official sponsor, we work with an authorized UK program partner. We guide you through the entire sponsorship process for your adventure in the UK.

Who is your official UK program partner?

The responsible program partner is officially recognized by the Home Office and enables students and graduates to gain work experience in British companies for up to 12 months. While the program partner handles the legal sponsorship (Certificate of Sponsorship), we guide you, check your documents, and prepare you for the visa application.

Who can go? (Eligibility Check)

The program in the UK is designed for young talents. Here are the key facts:

Requirements:
  • Minimum age: 18 years.
  • Status: Student or graduate (graduation within the last 24 months).
  • Duration: 1 to 12 months.
  • Industries: All except Healthcare and Hospitality (Gastronomy/Hotel industry).
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Criteria for the Host Company

Not every company can be a sponsor in the UK. The authorities set clear requirements for the Host Organization:

  • Ratio 3:1: There must be at least 3 full-time employees per intern working at the location.
  • Working Hours: At least 25 hours per week.
  • No Regular Position: The role must be “supernumerary” – meaning a pure learning position, not a replacement for a full-time employee.
Site Visit Rule: The responsible program partner conducts an on-site check (£115) if the company has fewer than 20 employees, generates less than £3M turnover, or has been on the market for less than 2 years.

Required Documents

For the application in the UK, you must have the following documents ready:

  • Passport copy & CV.
  • Transcript of Records or Degree Certificate.
  • Proof of Funds: At least £1,270 on a bank account.
  • Proof of Insurance: Min. $100,000 coverage & repatriation.

Common Questions about UK Sponsorship

It can be paid or voluntary. But note: All internships in the UK lasting longer than 6 months must strictly be remunerated according to the British minimum wage.
Pure remote work is not sponsored. In hybrid models, at least 30% of the time must be spent in the registered office.

At VisaNerd we sponsor strictly within the US Department of State exchange visitor regulations (22 CFR 62.22) and current BridgeUSA policy. What you read here is how we actually sponsor and what we require, not a general overview of other sponsors. It is practical guidance from our team, not legal advice; your eligibility is confirmed through us as your sponsor contact, and the final visa decision is made by the US consular officer.