European Nationals - How to come to the UK for a short-term Internship post the UK leaving the EU
Everything you need to know about the Tier 5 visa and interning in the UK.
European Nationals - How to come to the UK for a short-term Internship post the UK leaving the EU
In January 2020 the UK left the European Union (EU) and on the 31st December 2020 the free movement between the UK and EU ended. This means anyone from the EU, except for Ireland, will need to apply for a visa if they want to work or study in the UK. If you are a student or recent graduate planning a short-term internship in the UK the Tier 5 GAE visa is the correct visa route.
What is a Tier 5 GAE visa?
It’s a Temporary Worker – Government Authorised Exchange Visa. It allows you to come to the UK for a short time for work experience. To do a Tier 5 you will need to go through an approved Government authorised exchange scheme, BUNAC being one of them.
Who is BUNAC and what do they sponsor?
BUNAC is a Work and Travel provider operating since 1962. They offer global work abroad opportunities for all nationalities around the world, including the Intern in Britain programme.
BUNAC is authorized by the UK Visa & Immigration to sponsor work experience opportunities (internships), enabling students and graduates to secure a UK Tier 5 visa. Upon securing an internship, BUNAC will provide sponsorship to the intern after doing all the necessary checks.
BUNAC has held its A-rated sponsorship since 2009.
What are the key requirements to come on the BUNAC Intern in Britain programme?
- 18 years or older with a valid passport
- Be a full-time degree level student or have graduated within the last 24 months at the start of your internship
- If English is not your first language, then you must have or be willing to obtain an IELTS score 6.0 or above find out more about IELTS here
- Be able to show a minimum proof of funds of £1270
- Have insurance coverage (including a minimum of $100,000 USD medical coverage)
Alumni & reviews
The Intern in Britain team have helped thousands of people to intern in the UK. Here is what some of them have to say.
Kalyn
BUNAC provides the perfect opportunity for anyone wanting to experience living and interning in the UK, and once I found them, it wasn't too long before I was back on UK soil.
Although you have to find your own internship, BUNAC offers plenty of advice and can point you to resources to help. Once I had found mine, they were incredibly quick about turning my paperwork around and giving me the tools to apply for my visa.... While I was with BUNAC, I was informed regularly about events and outings for BUNAC interns. They give you plenty of freedom: you find your internship, decide where you want to live, etc, but I also found they were always responsive and active in your experience if you needed guidance.
I would recommend BUNAC: Intern in Britain to anyone wanting a more immersive experience in the UK than just a few weeks as a tourist, or for those who have studied abroad in the UK and are looking for a way to return and intern.
Alican
I am very familiar with British culture and I believe London is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It has a magnificent architecture, a splendid history but it is also a modern city and one of the most important trade and financial centers in the world. Therefore, I wanted to gain professional experience in that multi-cultural capital. I believe that it has contributed to my CV, my language skills and most importantly to my world vision. I experienced the professional work environment of London due to BUNAC.
Applying
You can find further information via our website on the different programme aspects.
- Eligibility and visa
- Internship requirements
- How to apply
- Costs
- Finding an internship
For more information or to start your application visit here.
Resources:
https://www.gov.uk/government-authorised-exchange
