If you are looking to apply for a High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa, QC Immigration can help with all aspects of your application and increase your chances of success. With decades of experience in the immigration law sector, both in the private client and Home Office sides, our London-based experts can assist no matter which country you are applying from and we will provide tailored advice and guidance. Click on the link below to contact a member of our team.
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The Home Office has announced the opening of the High Potential Individual route on 30 May 2022. The High Potential Individual Visa will allow graduates of top global universities who wish to work in the UK obtain the right to live here. This includes those wanting to do self-employment and voluntary work (apart from a professional sportsperson or coach) and to study, except for a course for which they would need to meet the requirements of a Student Visa.
The Home Office hopes that the High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa will attract global talent to the UK and will make it easier for UK employers to hire overseas talent as it will not require sponsorship.
High Potential Individual Visa Eligibility
To be eligible to apply under the High Potential Individual Visa route, applicants will mainly need to satisfy the following requirements:
- You must be aged 18 or over.
- You must have been awarded an overseas degree-level academic qualification from an institution that is included on the Global Universities List published by the Home Office. The academic qualification must have been awarded in the last 5 years prior to the application submission date. It is important to note that the overseas institution must be listed in the Global Universities List the year that the academic qualification was awarded.
- You need to prove competence in the English language to at least CEFR Level B1.
- You need to have enough money to support themselves in the UK without relying on public funds.
- You may need to provide a TB Certificate depending on which country they are residing.
- You must not have been previously granted permission under the High Potential Individual Visa route, Graduate route and Student Doctorate Extension Scheme.
The exact requirements may vary depending on applicants’ individual circumstances.
Applying for a High Potential Individual Visa
All HPI Visa applications are made online on the Home Office website, whether you are abroad and applying for the visa to come to the UK, or switching to this visa from inside the UK.
Once your application is complete, you may 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.
The duration of permission will depend on the qualification that was relied on. Successful applicants will be granted a visa for 3 years for a PhD or other doctor’s level qualifications and 2 years for all other degree qualifications.
If you require any assistance with your application to ensure you have a higher chance of the HPI Visa being granted, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our expert lawyers. Our team has a wealth of experience and knows exactly what the Home Office is looking for.
FAQs
How much does a High Potential Individual Visa cost?
The application fee for this visa is £715. The Immigration Health Surcharge is also applicable for this visa, so we recommend checking how much you will have to pay. You may also have to consider any additional costs such as certified translations of documents and biometric enrolment. If you are getting legal help, this will also add to the overall cost of the visa.
Can I bring my family with a High Potential Individual Visa?
Applicants may be joined or accompanied by their partner and dependent children.
Can I extend a High Potential Individual Visa?
Under the current rules, it is not possible to apply for an extension of a High Potential Individual Visa and the route does not lead to settlement in the UK. However, applicants can in the future apply to switch to different routes which lead to settlement such as the Skilled Worker Visa, Start-up Visa, Global Talent Visa or Innovator Visa.
What is the maintenance requirement for the High Potential Individual Visa?
For the maintenance requirement, you must show that you can support yourself by having at least £1,270 in your bank account. You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.
