What is a UK Internship Visa and How to Get It?

The UK internship visa provides short-term work experience, education, scholarships through the Overseas Government Language Program and the opportunity to go to the UK. For international students and graduates, the visa, previously known as the Tier 5 visa, temporary work visa or government exchange visa, is now called the UK internship visa.

To apply for a UK internship visa, you must have a sponsor, meet the eligibility criteria and have received an offer from a company to do a paid or unpaid internship in the UK.

What are the visa requirements for an internship in the UK?

Visa requirements for an internship in the UK are listed below.

You must be 18 years of age or older.
It is necessary to be a full-time undergraduate student or to have graduated within the last 24 months from the start of the internship.
An internship offer from a UK-based company is required.
Must have a sponsorship certificate and reference number from a licensed sponsor based in the UK.
Documentation must be provided to prove that you have a minimum of £1,270.

The sponsoring agency for an internship in the UK is usually a government agency or umbrella organisation for a specific profession, as opposed to the UK workplace where the internship will be held. Those looking for work experience, internship opportunities and other additional work options in the UK should contact a third-party sponsor.

The most well-known sponsorship organisations in the UK are listed below.

Bar Council
BAE Systems
British Council
British National Space Centre
BUNAC
Cabinet Office
Ofgem
The Law Society
Serious Fraud Office
UK Research and Innovation

Are There Language Requirements for Internships in the UK?

The language requirement for a visa for an internship in the UK is not among the common requirements, but it may be among the special conditions of some sponsored institutions.

How to Get a UK Internship Visa?

People who want to get an internship visa in the UK must first find a job where they can do an internship and get a job offer from the organization. A COS document (Certificate of Sponsorship) must be obtained for the UK internship application from a licensed inclusive sponsorship agency.

People who have obtained the COS certificate to do an internship in the UK must apply for a visa online via the Gov.uk website within 3 months, then complete their visa application after the biometric procedures at the intermediary institution application centre.

For UK internship visa applications made through rsscanadaimmigration.com, online form filling, appointment making and online document uploading processes are completed within the scope of the consultancy service received.

What are the Required Documents for the UK Internship Visa?

The documents required for an internship visa in the UK are listed below.

UK COS document: The reference number of the sponsorship document is needed to complete the UK internship visa application form. Those who do not have a sponsorship document should ask their employer for a copy of the sponsorship document.
Passport: Passport with 1 blank page, valid for at least 3 months after travel, photo pages and photocopies of past visas must be attached.
UK internship visa application form: When filling out the visa application form online via the Gov.uk website, complete and accurate statements must be made in English and truthful statements must be made.
Biometric photo: 2 biometric photos, measuring 3.5 x 4.5 mm and taken within the last 6 months, are required.
Evidence of financial means: If there is no provision in the sponsorship document that the employer can support the employee, evidence must be provided that the applicant has sufficient personal funds to support themselves in the UK, such as bank statements.
UK internship visa application fee: Must be paid during online application.

In addition to the documents listed above, additional documents may be requested depending on the applicant’s job in the UK and whether they will be traveling to the UK with family members. For a UK internship visa, all documents must be prepared in English, contain complete, accurate information and be up to date.

How Much is the Visa Application Fee for an Internship in the UK?

The visa application fee for an internship in the UK is £259 per person. In addition to the visa application fee, a UK immigration health surcharge of £624 per year must be paid in order to benefit from healthcare services in the UK.

The UK internship visa application fee and the UK immigration health service fee are paid directly to the UK Visa and Immigration Department by credit card during the online application.

How Long Does a UK Internship Visa Last?

A UK internship visa allows you to stay in the UK for up to 12 or 24 months, or up to 14 days in addition to the period stated on the certificate of sponsorship (whichever is shorter), depending on the programme applied for. You are allowed to enter the UK up to 14 days before the start date of the job.

Can the Internship Visa in the UK Be Extended?

Yes, it is possible to extend your internship visa in the UK. To extend your internship visa in the UK, you must have the reference number on your sponsorship certificate and have savings of £1,270 or more in your bank account that have been active for at least 28 days (the 28th day must be within 31 days of your visa application).

The UK internship visa can be extended for 12 months for work experience, or 24 months for research, education or a State Language Programme Abroad. For international students and graduates, the UK internship visa, previously known as the Tier 5 visa, allows you to extend your stay in the UK for the duration of your sponsorship plus 14 days (whichever is shorter).

What is the UK Graduate Intern Visa?

A UK graduate trainee visa is a type of visa that allows you to come to or stay in the UK to work for an employer’s branch; the work must be suitable for a managerial or specialist role and be part of a postgraduate training programme.

The UK graduate trainee visa replaces the Intra-Company Graduate Trainee visa, which was previously the Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) Graduate Trainee visa. The UK graduate trainee visa is applied for online from outside the UK. The UK graduate trainee visa is granted for the period specified on the sponsorship document plus 14 days or for a period of 12 months.

Does the UK Grant Erasmus Internship Visas?

No, the UK does not provide Erasmus internship visas. As of Brexit, which came into effect on 31 December 2020, the UK will not participate in Erasmus.

From September 2021, the UK government will allow university students who have an agreement with a UK higher education institution to apply under the Turing programme instead of UK Erasmus.

What are the Paid Internship Opportunities in the UK?

Paid internships in the UK vary in length from one week to a year, depending on the sector and employer. Student internships in the UK tend to be shorter than postgraduate internships. The average salary for an internship in the UK is £22,291 per year. Internships in London or other major cities tend to pay more than similar programs in other parts of the UK, due to the higher cost of living.

What are the Most Popular UK Internship Programs?

The most popular companies offering UK internship programs include Citi, Capitalone, Herbert Smith Freehills, Bloomberg, JP Morgan, Credit Suisse, Bank of America, American Express.

The best part about summer internships in the UK is that they offer internship types across a wide range of specializations. London is a popular city among UK internship programs with its wide range of fields including finance, music, business, fashion, medicine and tourism. The Intern Group stands out among the most popular internship programs in London.