High Potential Individual Visa

What is the High Potential Individual visa?

Individuals, who have graduated from a top global university outside the United Kingdom, might be able to apply for the High Potential Individual visa. This is an unsponsored route and it does not lead to settlement in the UK. It will open on 30 May 2022.

The applicant must be age 18 or over and in the 5 years immediately prior to the submission of the application, have been awarded an overseas degree level academic qualification, which Ecctis can confirm it meets or exceeds, the recognised standard of a UK bachelor’s or UK postgraduate degree.

The eligible awarding institutions will be compiled on an annual basis and consist of non-UK institutions that are included in the list of the top 50 universities mentioned in 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.

The applicant must also demonstrate sufficient funds to maintain himself/herself in the UK and satisfy the English language requirement set at CEFR level B1 or higher.

What is the length of the visa?

If your application is successful, you will normally be granted leave as a High Potential Individual for 2 years. If you have completed a PhD, or other doctorate-level qualification, you will be granted permission to enter/remain for 3 years.

It is not possible to extend your leave under the High Potential Individual visa category. However, you may be able to switch into another immigration category before the expiry of your leave.

Other important considerations

As a High Potential Individual, you are permitted to work in the UK including self-employment and voluntary work without the need of being sponsored by a licenced employer.

The High Potential Individual visa also allows to sponsor a dependent spouse/partner and dependent children who are under the age of 18 at the time of the initial application.

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