High Potential Individual Visa

This is a new visa category which will open to applicants at 9:00am on Monday 30 May 2022.

The introduction of this visa category is to attract the brightest and best globally to the UK to assist with the UK’s future innovation plans. This category will be available to recent graduates of leading overseas Universities who wish to come to the UK to work or look for work. This is an independent, non-sponsored points-based immigration route.

Individuals wishing to applying under this route will need to have been awarded an overseas degree level academic qualification (from an eligible global non-UK university). To qualify for a High Potential Individual Visa, an individual’s oversea degree qualification must have been awarded in the 5 years before the date of application.

Individuals will need to obtain confirmation from ECCTIS that the qualification meets or exceeds the recognised standard of a UK bachelor’s or post-graduate qualification – ECCTIS will also confirm the date your overseas degree was awarded.

The degree must have been listed on the Global Universities List published by the Home Office on the date the degree was awarded – NB this list has not yet been published. This list is compiled by the Home Office on an annual basis and will consist of institutions ranked in the top 50 of at least two of the following ranking systems:

• Time Higher Education World University Rankings.
• Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings.
• The Academic Ranking of World Universities.

Individuals will also need to ensure they meet the English language requirement as part of the relevant points to meet for this visa category.

Individuals who successfully obtain a High Potential Individual visa will be granted 2-years leave to remain if they are relying on a Bachelor or Master’s degree qualification. Those relying on a PhD or other doctoral level qualification will be granted 3-years leave to remain in the UK. Individuals cannot extend leave in this category and it also does not lead to settlement (also known as indefinite leave to remain) but you may be eligible to switch to another immigration category should you meet the relevant requirements.

If you would like further assistance with this visa category or are considering making an application, please reach out to Sundeep Rathod who leads our Immigration team.