High Potential Individual Visa

High Potential Individual Visa

The High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa is aimed at recent graduates from top global universities, allowing them to work or look for work in the UK without the need for sponsorship. This visa offers graduates the opportunity to live in the UK for 2 or 3 years, depending on their qualification, while they gain work experience or explore future career options.

Although the visa does not lead directly to settlement, it provides a platform for switching into other visa categories that may lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), such as the Skilled Worker Visa or the Innovator Founder Visa. Dependent partners and children can also accompany the main visa holder.

High Potential Individual Visa Q&A

  1. Who can apply for the High Potential Individual Visa?

You can apply for the High Potential Individual Visa if you:

  • Are aged 18 or over.
  • Have received an eligible degree qualification from a top global university within the last 5 years.
  • Meet the English language requirement (CEFR Level B1 or above).
  • Have sufficient funds to support yourself (unless you have been in the UK for 12 months or more).
  • Have not previously been granted permission under the Graduate, Student Doctorate Extension Scheme, or High Potential Individual routes.
  1. What are the eligible universities?

To qualify for this visa, your degree must have been awarded by a university that appears on the Global Universities List published by the UK government. This list is updated annually and includes institutions ranked in the top 50 of two or more of the following rankings:

  • Times Higher Education World University Rankings
  • Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings
  • Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)

Here is the Global Universities List for 2023 (from 1 November 2023 to 31 October 2024):

  1. California Institute of Technology
  2. Columbia University
  3. Cornell University
  4. Duke University
  5. ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
  6. Harvard University
  7. Johns Hopkins University
  8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  9. McGill University
  10. Northwestern University
  11. Peking University
  12. Princeton University
  13. Stanford University
  14. The University of Tokyo
  15. University College London
  16. University of California, Berkeley
  17. University of California, Los Angeles
  18. University of Chicago
  19. University of Hong Kong
  20. University of Melbourne
  21. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
  22. University of Pennsylvania
  23. University of Toronto
  24. Yale University
  25. Zhejiang University
  1. What is the English language requirement for the HPI Visa?

You must demonstrate that you have English language skills to at least CEFR Level B1 in all four components (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). You can meet this requirement by:

  • Being a national of a majority English-speaking country.
  • Passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT).
  • Holding a degree that was taught in English.
  • Providing evidence of a GCSE, A Level, or Scottish Higher qualification in English obtained at a UK school.
  1. What are the financial requirements for a High Potential Individual Visa?

You need to show that you have at least £1,270 in savings for 28 consecutive days before your application. This requirement is waived if you have been in the UK for at least 12 months.

  1. How much does the High Potential Individual Visa cost?

When applying for the High Potential Individual Visa, the fees include:

  • Ecctis Fee: £210 for qualification verification (£252 if applying from within the UK).
  • Visa Application Fee: £822.
  • Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year.
    • 2-year visa: Total healthcare surcharge of £2,070.
    • 3-year visa: Total healthcare surcharge of £3,105.

Additionally, you must show that you have at least £1,270 in available funds unless you have been in the UK for more than 12 months.

  1. How long can you stay in the UK on the High Potential Individual Visa?
  • 3 years if you have a PhD or other doctoral-level qualification.
  • 2 years for all other eligible degrees.
  1. Can you extend the High Potential Individual Visa?

No, the High Potential Individual Visa cannot be extended. However, before it expires, you may be able to switch into another immigration category, such as the Skilled Worker Visa or Innovator Founder Visa, which may lead to settlement.

  1. What work can you do on this visa?

You are allowed to:

  • Work in most jobs.
  • Be self-employed.
  • Do voluntary work. However, you cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.

How Kaya Legal Can Assist You

At Kaya Legal, we specialise in helping individuals with their High Potential Individual Visa applications. Our team of experienced immigration lawyers can assist you with:

  • Eligibility Assessment: We help verify whether your university and degree are eligible and ensure you meet all the criteria.
  • Document Preparation: We ensure your application is complete with all the required documentation, including proof of qualifications, English language ability, and financial statements.
  • Application Support: We guide you through each step of the application process to ensure it is submitted correctly and promptly.
  • Future Planning: Since the High Potential Individual Visa does not lead to settlement, we provide advice on switching to other visa categories that can lead to long-term residence, such as the Skilled Worker Visa or Innovator Founder Visa.

Contact Kaya Legal today to start your High Potential Individual Visa application and plan your future in the UK.