High Potential Individual visa UK 2022
In the statement of changes published on 15 March 2022, the new High Potential Individual Appendix has been added to the Immigration Rules. It states:
“Appendix High Potential Individual – This route is for recent graduates of top global universities, who want to work, or look for work in the UK, following the successful completion of an eligible course of study equivalent to UK bachelor’s degree level or above. The study must have been with an institution listed on the Global Universities List.”
Who are ‘High Potential Individuals’ and what is the High Potential Individual Visa UK 2022?
The High potential individual route will enable individuals who have recently graduated from a top global university to come to the UK to work without first needing a job offer.
It will allow applicants to move to the UK and then look for jobs, allowing applicants more flexibility in the roles they can choose. In addition, it benefits applicants in areas where other similar visa do not, you do not need a Sponsor on the High Potential Individual Route. When compared to the skilled worker visa, if you were to lose your job you might have to leave the UK; under the High Potential Individual route, if that was to happen, you would not fall foul of the requirements and be at risk in the way you would on a skilled worker visa.
Length of Stay
Under this route, the length you can stay varies upon the qualification held:
- PhD or other doctoral level qualification = 3 years
- All other degree qualifications = 2 years
You will not be able to extend your visa under this route as this visa is not a route to settlement. However, after completion of your High Potential Individual visa, you will be able to switch into another visa category to continue your stay in the UK. You will need to satisfy the requirements of the route you are switching into. So for example, you could obtain Sponsored employment or you could start a business which might enable you to switch into another category.
Partners, wives, husbands, and children
Under this route you will be able to bring your close family with you. You can bring dependents as long as you satisfy the relationship requirement i.e. you can prove you are in a relationship / are related. In addition, you will need evidence that you will be able to support any dependent. The funds required for a dependent are:
(a) at least £285 for a partner in the UK or applying to come to the UK; and
(b) at least £315 for the first child in the UK or applying to come to the UK; and
(c) at least £200 for each additional child in the UK or applying to come to the UK.
This is on top of the applicants own finical requirement (detailed below).
Requirements for a High Potential Individual Visa
- You must be over 18
- You must have passed a TB test (if required)
- In the 5 years immediately before the date of the application, have been awarded an overseas degree level academic qualification from an institute on the Global universities list
- You have passed the English language requirements at CEFR level B1
- You have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds
Global universities list degree requirement
In the 5 years immediately before the date of the application, the applicant must have been awarded an overseas degree level academic qualification which Ecctis confirms meets, or exceeds, the recognised standard of a UK bachelor’s or UK postgraduate degree.
The requirement states that; ‘The institution at which the applicant was awarded the degree must appear on the Global Universities List in respect of the date the applicant was awarded the degree’. It is unclear at this stage what universities will satisfy the requirement, however, we do know that the Global Universities List will be published by the Home Office on an annual basis and will consist of all the institutions that are ranked in the top 50 of at least two of the following ranking systems:
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings;
- Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings;
- The Academic Ranking of World Universities.
Below is a list of universities that are likely to satisfy the requirement:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford university, Harvard University, California Institute of technology, University of California, Berkeley, ETH Zürich – Swiss Federal Institute of technology, National University of Singapore, Yale University, Tsinghua University, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, University of Pennsylvania, Peking University, Columbia University, Princeton University, The University of Hong Kong, The University of Tokyo, The University of Melbourne
Please note this list is not exhaustive nor guaranteed.
When you acquired your degree will also matter. Your university must have been included on the relevant lists at the date you received your degree.
English Requirement
In order to qualify for the High Potential Individual visa, you must pass an approved English language test at CEFR level B1 or higher. You will satisfy this requirement if you have been awarded a degree that was taught in English, or you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.
Financial requirement
If you have been in the UK with permission for 12 months or more at the date of application, you will meet the financial requirement. However, if you are applying for entry clearance or have been in the UK for less than 12 months, you must show that you hold funds of at least £1,270 and they have been held for a 28-day period, not more than 31 days before the date of your application.
If you think you qualify for this route, or would like us to assess your prospects, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will provide you with expert advice and assistance throughout the process.