Running an internship programme in the UK involves several steps, particularly when it comes to ensuring compliance with UK visa regulations. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Determine the type of internship
- Paid: If you are conducting a paid internship, then these are generally treated like normal employment and so would normally require a UK work visa.
- Unpaid: If it is unpaid internship, then the intern will need to obtain a Temporary Work visa (i.e. the Government Authorised Exchange visa "GAE").
- Identify the Relevant Visa category
- The Skilled Worker category is more appropriate for individuals looking to obtain a permanent role.
- The Tier 5 GAE visa is for internships that are part of a UK government approved exchange scheme. The sponsor must be licensed for Tier 5 visas.
- Student visa: if the student is already in the UK and holds the Student visa, they may be able to intern as part of their course, but this is dependent on each individual's particular circumstances.
- Become a Licensed Sponsor
- If your organisation intends on applying for a sponsor licence, we suggest seeking advice on this process as it varies according to each individual organisation.
- If your organisation does not want to become a sponsor, you can engage a third-party entity that holds a sponsor licence for this scheme. The entity will facilitate the sponsorship itself, but you will be responsible for the visa application stage. You can find the approved sponsors via this link.
- We can establish a seamless collaboration with the sponsor, your organisation and the intern and will take care of each stage of the process from start to finish.
Following these steps ensures your internship programme complies with UK visa regulations and provides a smooth experience for both your organisation and your interns.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
