UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) can endorse eligible research and innovation organisations and businesses for a Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) visa sponsor licence.
The sponsor licence enables organisations to sponsor a visa for individuals to come to the UK.
Individuals can come to the UK on a temporary basis for up to two years on a research and training programme, and up to one year on a work experience programme. This enables the transfer of skills and knowledge, increases collaboration, and builds global connections.
We operate two GAE visa schemes. Eligible individuals and activities are the same for both schemes.
A full list of all government authorised exchange schemes is available on GOV.UK.
Eligibility criteria for a temporary visa
An organisation holding a GAE visa sponsor licence is able to sponsor the following individuals and activities.
Eligible individuals include:
- academics
- researchers
- scientists
- interns, including master’s or PhD students
- other skilled research technology specialists
Check if your organisation is already on the list of approved organisations.
All individuals must receive National Minimum Wage and have a supernumerary role. A supernumerary role is a role is in addition to the standard number of staff in an organisation. It must not fill a permanent position or ongoing vacancy in a workforce.
Funding can come from the sponsoring organisation, an individual’s overseas employer, or a research and innovation funding body.
Eligible activities include:
- a research or innovation project or collaboration
- a period of work-based training, work experience, an internship or placement
Future Technology Research and Innovation (FTRI) scheme for businesses
This scheme is for UK businesses to sponsor eligible individuals for a temporary visa.
To do this you must be endorsed for a sponsor licence by UKRI.
To be eligible for UKRI endorsement under the FTRI scheme your business must be undertaking research or innovation in one of the critical technologies in the UK’s Science and Technology Framework. The critical technologies are:
- advanced connectivity technologies
- artificial intelligence
- engineering biology
- quantum technologies
- semiconductors
Your business must also have received research and innovation funding in the last five years from one of the following:
- a part of UKRI (for example, a research council or Innovate UK)
- a UK government department (minimum of £40,000)
- a programme backed by a UK university or public body to form a spin-out (minimum of £40,000)
- a UK-based innovation centre, accelerator, early-stage funder, scale-up programme, or venture capital fund, including charitable and philanthropic funders (minimum of £40,000)
- the EU’s Horizon Europe Framework Programmes (minimum of £40,000)
How to apply for a sponsor licence from UKRI
If you think your business is eligible, find out further details and register your interest on UKRI’s Engagement Hub.
Ask a question about this scheme
Email: ukrigae@ukri.org
Science, Research and Academia scheme
You can apply to UKRI for a sponsor licence if your organisation is one of the following:
- independent research organisations
- public sector research establishments
Organisations applying for sponsor under this scheme must:
- hold an A rated Skilled Worker licence
- be an independent research organisation or public sector research establishment eligible for UKRI funding
How to apply for sponsor licence from UKRI
If your organisation is not already approved and you think it should be eligible then email ukrigae@ukri.org
Visa applications for individuals
UKRI does not issue visas. All visa applications must be made on GOV.UK.
Use GOV.UK to apply for:
- an individual visa for temporary work
- visitor visas for visiting the UK as a standard visitor
Last updated: 26 October 2026