High Potential Individual Visa

What is the High Potential Individual Visa?

The High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa, introduced by the Home Office on 30 May 2022, is designed to attract recent graduates from top global universities to the UK, offering them the opportunity to work, be self-employed, and engage in voluntary work. This visa does not require employer sponsorship, making it a flexible option for graduates and UK employers. The HPI visa is open to those who graduate within the last five years with a qualification equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree, postgraduate degree, or a PhD from an eligible university.

This route aims to bring highly skilled and innovative graduates to the UK, enhancing the country's status as a global innovation hub.

HPI Visa Duration

The HPI Visa allows a stay of up to two years, extending to three years for doctoral students. During this period, visa holders can work in various capacities, including self-employment and business setup, but cannot work as professional sportspersons or coaches.

HPI Visa Pathway

This visa does not directly lead to settlement in the UK, but holders may switch to other visa routes, such as the Skilled Worker visa or Global Talent Visa before your HPI visa expires. Applicants who have previously held an HPI or Graduate visa or have stayed in the UK under the Doctorate Extension Scheme are not eligible for the HPI Visa.

High Potential Individual Visa Dependents

If you hold a High Potential Individual visa, you can bring your dependents, including your partner and children, to the UK. Eligible dependents include:

• Your husband, wife, civil partner, or unmarried partner (unmarried partners must have been in a relationship with you for at least 2 years).
• Your child is under 18.
• If your child is over 18 and still dependent on you (living with and financially supported by you), this includes children attending boarding school or living away at college or university.

Each dependent must apply separately, pay an application fee, and provide biometric information (fingerprints and photo). They must also meet all the requirements and pay the relevant application fee:

• £285 for your partner.
• £315 for one child.
• £200 for each additional child.

Your partner or children cannot apply as dependents if they are in the UK under certain visas, including:

• Visitor visa
• Short-term student visa
• Parent of a child student visa
• Seasonal worker visa
• Domestic worker in a private household visa
• Outside the immigration rules.

Eligibility & Requirements

To apply for the High Potential Individual Visa, you need to meet several essential requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you understand these requirements:

Age Requirement

• You must be aged 18 or over at the time of your application.

Educational Qualifications

• You must have been awarded an overseas degree-level academic qualification in the last 5 years. This qualification must come from an institution listed in the Home Office's Global Universities List for the year your degree was awarded.
• The accepted qualifications include a bachelor's, postgraduate degree, or doctorate equivalent to UK standards.

You must gain confirmation from Ecctis that you have been awarded an overseas degree level academic qualification which meets, or exceeds, the recognised standard of a UK bachelor’s or UK postgraduate degree.

This HPI Visa is only for those who graduated from qualifying universities outside the UK. If you are graduating from a UK institution, apply for the Graduate Visa instead.

English Language Proficiency

• You must demonstrate English language proficiency at CEFR Level B1 or higher. This can be proven by:
  • Passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider.
  • Holding a degree taught in English.
  • Being a national of a majority English-speaking country.
  • Having achieved a relevant English qualification (GCSE, A Level, or Scottish Highers) in the UK.
  • Proving English proficiency in a previously successful UK visa application.

Financial Requirements

• You must show sufficient funds to support yourself upon arrival in the UK, without recourse to public funds. This means having at least £1,270 in your bank account, held for at least 28 consecutive days, ending no more than 31 days before your visa application.
• This financial requirement is waived if you have legally resided in the UK for 12 months or more before applying for the visa.

Additional Health

• You may need to provide a Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate if you are from a country where TB testing is mandatory for UK visa applicants.

Biometric Information

Applicants must provide proof of their identity as part of their application. This involves submitting biometric information, such as fingerprints and photographs, at a visa application centre or scanning identity documents using the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app.

Suitability Requirement

• You must meet the suitability requirements to avoid falling under the general grounds of refusal. This normally includes passing security checks and having a positive immigration history. This means you should not have any past criminal convictions, immigration violations, or other factors that would make your presence in the UK not conducive to the public good.

Prior Visa Conditions

• You cannot apply for the High Potential Individual Visa if you have previously been granted permission under this visa route, the Graduate Visa route, or the Student Doctorate Extension Scheme.

Verification and Documentation

• Your qualifications must be verified through Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC), a global service that assesses international educational credentials to ensure they meet UK standards.
• The Home Office uses the Global Universities List to verify eligible institutions, and this list may change annually. Ensure your degree was awarded during a year when your university was on the list.

Points Attribution System:

• HPI operates on a points-based system, where applicants must score at least 70 points. Points are awarded for having a degree from a listed global university (50 points), meeting the English language requirement (10 points), and satisfying the financial requirement (10 points).

Documentation

To apply for the High Potential Individual visa, applicants must submit specific documents with their application to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). The required documentation includes:

To apply for the High Potential Individual visa, applicants must submit specific documents with their application to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). The required documentation includes:

1. Identification Documents:
   • A valid passport or other travel document to prove identity and nationality.
   • A Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or other proof of immigration status, if you are in the UK.
2. Academic Qualification Verification:
   • A statement from Ecctis confirming that your qualification is eligible for the HPI visa scheme. This includes an Academic Qualification Level Statement and, if applicable, an English Language Proficiency Statement if the qualification was taught in English.
3. Proof of English Language Proficiency:
   • Evidence such as a Secure English Language Test (SELT) certificate at CEFR Level B1 or higher or proof of a degree taught in English.
4. Financial Evidence:
   • If applicable, a bank statement showing a minimum of £1,270 in savings held for at least 28 days before applying.
5. Additional Supporting Documents:
   • Provide proof of your relationship with your dependent partner or children if they are applying with you. Test results for tuberculosis (TB) if required by your country of residence.
6. Certified Translations:
   • A certified translation must accompany any documents not in English or Welsh.

Application Fees

When applying for the High Potential Individual visa, you'll need to consider several costs:

1. Application Fee: The standard fee for the HPI visa application is £822.
2. Ecctis Qualification Verification Fee: £210 if applying from outside the UK, or £252 if applying from within the UK
3. Immigration Health Surcharge: This is an annual fee of £1,035 per year for the duration for your stay in the UK.

Processing Time

Once your application is complete, you can expect to hear from the Home Office within 3 weeks if you are outside the UK, or 8 weeks if you are in the UK. However, processing time can extend beyond these periods if additional verification of your supporting documents is needed, if an interview is required, or due to personal circumstances such as a prior criminal conviction.

How to Apply for a High Potential Individual Visa

All High Potential Individual (HPI) visa applications must be made online through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website, whether you are applying abroad or switching from another visa within the UK. Applicants need to create or log into their UKVI account to complete the application.

• Check Your Eligibility:
  • Make sure you're eligible for the HPI visa. Some visa types, like the Visit visa or Graduate visa, don't allow you to switch to the HPI visa while in the UK. If you're unsure, consider consulting an immigration advisor.
• Prepare Documentation:
  • Gather the required documents, including a valid passport, proof from Ecctis that your degree is equivalent to a UK degree, proof of English language ability (if applicable), evidence of sufficient funds, and a tuberculosis test certificate, if required.
• Complete the Online Application Form:
  • Fill out the HPI visa application form on the Home Office website and pay the application fee.
• Upload Documentation:
  • Upload all the necessary documents as part of your application.
• Schedule a Biometric Appointment:
  • Book an appointment to provide your biometric information, which includes fingerprinting and a photograph. This can be done at a UKVCAS service point, a visa application centre, or the UK Immigration ID Check app.

Conditions of Stay

After processing your application, you will receive an email or letter with the decision. If your application is approved, you will either receive a sticker (vignette) in your passport or an eVisa specifying your Visa duration and conditions, with the relevant right to live and work in the UK.

Work and Study Permissions

As a High Potential Individual visa holder, you can work, including being self-employed or doing voluntary work, and study, except for courses covered by the Student Visa route. However, you cannot work as a professional sportsperson.

Public Funds

HPI visa holders are not eligible for most public benefits or the State Pension.

Dependents

Your dependents (partner and children) can join you in the UK if they meet the eligibility criteria. They can work and study but are restricted from accessing most public funds.

While High Potential Individual Visa holders are granted a wide range of work and study permissions, they are imposed with limitations on accessing public funds. Understanding these conditions is crucial for successful integration and planning during their stay in the UK.

No Extension Policy

The High Potential Individual Visa does not allow extensions, and applicants must adhere to the stipulated duration. This means visa holders cannot extend their stay beyond the initial period granted. However, they can apply for other types of visas, such as the Skilled Worker Visa or Global Talent Visa, to continue their stay in the UK.

Get Support Applying for a High Potential Individual Visa

The High Potential Individual Visa offers a unique opportunity for highly skilled graduates to live and work in the UK without employer sponsorship. This visa provides employment and study options flexibility, though it does not directly lead to settlement or Indefinite Leave to Remain.

While it may be a potential option, QC Immigration understands that whether the HPI visa is the correct route for you depends on individual circumstances. We recommend discussing your situation with our highly experienced immigration lawyers before proceeding with your application. We can help you explore alternative visa routes to help you find the best fit for your career and personal goals.

We ensure your HPI application is correctly submitted with all the required documentation, presenting a clear and concise case for your eligibility. This increases the likelihood of approval from the Home Office.

We aim to save you time and money and make the application process as stress-free as possible.