The UK High Potential Individual HPI Visa (“HPI Visa”) permits recent graduates from highly ranked global universities to stay in the UK for at least two years. Introduced on 30th May 2022, it is a brand-new gateway for talented international students looking to work in the UK and have graduated from the top universities from USA, Singapore, Canada, Sweden, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, Australia, and France. The HPI Visa was introduced as the Overseas Alternative to the Graduate Visa, which can only be applied by UK based students studying in the UK. Our Immigration Solicitors and Barristers can help you successfully apply for the UK HPI Visa.
What is the High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa?
The High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa (“HPI Visa”) permits recent graduates from highly ranked global universities to stay in the UK for at least two years. Introduced on 30th May 2022, it is a brand-new gateway for talented international students looking to work in the UK and have graduated from the top universities from USA, Singapore, Canada, Sweden, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, Australia, and France.
The HPI Visa aims to deliver the plan laid down in the UK Government’s policy paper, “Build Back Better: Our Plan for Growth” to:
“introduce an elite points-based route to attract the brightest and best to the UK to maintain our status as a leading international hub for emerging technologies.”
What are the Key Requirements of the High Potential Individual Visa – HPI Visa?
The key requirements of the HPI Visa (High Potential Individual Visa) are as follows:
- An eligible university must have awarded you a qualification in the last five years: You need to have achieved a qualification or the equivalent of a UK Bachelor’s Degree, a UK Postgraduate Degree or a UK PhD or Doctorate from an eligible university in the last 5 years. The list of eligible universities is based on rankings of universities from around the world.
- You must be aged 18 years or over
- You must not previously have been granted permission under the same or similar route: You must not previously have been granted permission under the Student Doctorate Extension Scheme as a Graduate or as a High Potential Individual.
- You must meet the Qualification Requirement: You need to have achieved a qualification or the equivalent of a UK Bachelor’s Degree, a UK Postgraduate Degree or a UK PhD or Doctorate. You must apply to Ecctis (formerly known as UK NARIC) certifying that your qualification is valid and at the right level.
- You must meet the Eligible University Requirement: The Home Office regularly updates the list of eligible universities by month and year you were awarded your qualification. You need to ensure that your university is on the list for the month and year of your qualification.
- You must meet the Maintenance Requirement: You must prove that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK unless you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months.
- You must meet the English Language Requirement: You must also prove your functioning knowledge or basic fluency of English of up to CEFR Level B1 (or IELTS 4.0 equivalent) reading, writing, speaking, and listening from a UKVI approved English language test provider.
If you are unsure whether you meet the requirements of the HPI Visa, you may want to speak to our expert Immigration Lawyers for legal advice and representation.
How do you meet the Eligible University Requirement on the HPI Visa?
You need check that you have achieved your qualification from an eligible university. The Home Office regularly updates the list of eligible universities by month and year you were awarded your qualification. You need to ensure that your university is on the list for the month and year of your qualification. Please click on the link below for the list for each month and year to date as follows:
- Qualification awarded between 1 November 2016 to 31 October 2017
- Qualification awarded between 1 November 2017 to 31 October 2018
- Qualification awarded between 1 November 2018 to 31 October 2019
- Qualification awarded between 1 November 2019 to 31 October 2020
- Qualification awarded between 1 November 2020 to 31 October 2021
- Qualification awarded between 1 November 2021 to 31 October 2022
- Qualification awarded between 1 November 2022 to 31 October 2023
Please note that UK universities are not eligible. If you are in the UK on a student visa, you can apply within the UK for a Graduate Visa instead. If you are unsure whether you meet the Eligible University Requirement of the HPI Visa, you may want to speak to our expert Immigration Solicitors and Barristers for legal advice and representation.
How long can you stay in the UK on the HPI Visa?
A High Potential Individual (HPI) visa gives you permission to stay in the UK for at least 2 years.
Can I switch into the High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa in the UK?
You can switch into the HPI Visa in the UK. However, you cannot switch into the HPI Visa if your current visa in the UK is one of the following:
- Visit Visa
- Short-Term Student Visa
- Graduate Visa
- Parent of a Child Student Visa
- Seasonal Worker Visa
- Domestic Worker in a Private Household Visa
You can also not switch into the HPI Visa if you are on immigration bail or because your current permission to stay in the UK was made outside the Immigration Rules, such as on human rights or compassionate grounds.
If you would like to know more about switching into UK High Potential Individual Visa, you may want to speak to our expert Immigration Solicitors and Barristers for legal advice and representation.
Can my dependants join me in the UK on the UK HPI Visa?
Yes, you can apply for your dependant partner and children to join you in the UK on the UK HPI Visa. They may be some additional requirements you will be required to meet if your dependants are joining you in the UK, so you may want to speak to our expert Immigration Lawyers for legal advice and representation.
Can I apply for settlement in the UK on the UK HPI Visa?
Unfortunately, the UK HPI Visa does not provide a direct route to settlement in the UK. If you would like to settle in the UK, you will need to apply for settlement through a combination of visas in the UK such on the Skilled Worker Visa route that together allow you to apply for settlement in the UK. The UK Settlement Visa process can be very complicated, so we encourage you to speak to our expert Immigration Solicitors and Barristers for legal advice and representation.
Successfully apply for the UK HPI Visa with OneLaw Chambers
At OneLaw Chambers, our Immigration Solicitors and Barristers regularly assist with Immigration and Visa applications in order for applicants to relocate to and settle in the UK. We have assisted many foreign nationals to prepare and submit successful Immigration and Visa applications and we have represented clients from all over the world. We are well equipped to prepare and submit your application for the UK HPI Visa.
Whether you require expert immigration advice on the requirements of the Immigration Rules, an independent immigration assessment of your prospects of qualifying for the UK HPI Visa Route or professional immigration representation with preparing your application for the UK HPI Visa, our Immigration Solicitors and Barristers can help you.
We are committed to ensuring that our Immigration Solicitors and Barristers prepare every immigration visa application with utmost quality and skill so that a successful outcome is achieved every time. Our Immigration Solicitors and Barristers operate in a friendly and cooperative manner to provide our clients with the best client care and service during the entire immigration application process.
Submit our Contact Form or contact us by phone or email to find out how we can help you with your UK HPI Visa application.
