Applicants who graduated from the top universities have a new alternative for entering the United Kingdom. The new category in visa, the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa allows individuals who are highly skilled foreign university graduates to work and stay in the U.K for two or three years depending on their degree levels.
Graduates with a bachelor’s or a master’s degree will be given a two-year visa. PhD or other doctoral-level graduates will get visas valid for three years. This visa can only be granted once and will not be available to those who have already had a Graduate visa.
This makes the need for a job offer or sponsorship redundant. HPI visa holders will be free to come to the UK to work, set up as self-employed and volunteer.
Indian-origin UK Cabinet ministers Rishi Sunak and Priti Patel In a joint announcement, informed about the new “exciting” category under the post-Brexit points-based system is aimed at attracting the “best and brightest” talent from around the world, regardless of nationality.
The applicants who are successful will be given a two-year work visa, with a three-year visa offered to those with a PhD. The selected won’t require the need for a specific job offer in hand.
Announcing this opportunity Chancellor Rishi Sunak said, “This new visa offer means that the UK can continue to attract the best and brightest from across the globe.”
What are the academic requirements?
The rules for the applicants for eligibility are that the applicants must hold a degree from a world-renowned university, awarded within five years of application. The British government will be releasing the list of qualifying schools once a year on the Gov. UK website.
It will include schools that feature in the top 50 in at least two of three renowned rankings:
- Times Higher Education World University rankings
- Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University rankings
- The Academic Ranking of the World Universities
What are the financial requirements?
The applicants will need to submit proof of at least £1,270 in their bank account for a continuous 28-day period no later than 31 days prior to making the High Potential Individual visa application. This rule, however, is not applicable to the applicants who have been U.K residents for more than 12 months
Above that, the visa will cost £715
What are the language requirements?
If the applicant’s degree wasn’t taught in English, they will need to pass at least the B1 level of an accepted English language test.
If their degree was taught in English, they will need a certificate from the awarding body or a university transcript. If the degree was awarded outside the UK, the applicant will need confirmation from Ecctis that the qualification meets the required standard of a UK bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree.
What happens after the visa is expired?
The HPI visa holders cannot directly apply for PR. However, before the visa expires, you can switch to permits under the skilled worker, start-up and innovator, exceptional talent, or scale-up route.
What about bringing dependants?
HPI holders can bring their dependants, such as a partner or children under the age of 18.
“Partner” is either a spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner. Unmarried partners must submit proof of they have lived together for at least two years and that their relationship is genuine.
