Discover exciting career opportunities in the UK! Uncover the UK High Potential Individual Visa (HPI), your pathway to a fulfilling job search journey in the UK.
The UK High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa is available to recent graduates of elite universities who wish to work or look for work in Great Britain. An HPI visa usually lasts for two years, but PhD holders can stay in the country for up to three years.
Once the HPI visa expires, you cannot extend it. If you wish to stay longer, you must apply for another visa type.
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What You Can and Cannot do with a HPI Visa
If you hold an HPI visa, you can look for work and get employed in the UK. You can also start a business or any other self-employment venture. The visa also allows you to leave and enter the UK and bring your family and children, provided they’re eligible.
However, the HPI visa doesn’t allow you to apply for most benefits, such as public funds and state pension. You can’t work as a professional sportsperson or extend the visa. Additionally, you can’t apply to settle permanently in the UK.
Eligibility Requirements for the UK High Potential Individual Visa
The most crucial factor when applying for the UK HPI visa is your academic qualification. You must have at least a Bachelor’s degree from an eligible university, awarded within the last five years.
The degree cannot be from an institution inside the United Kingdom.
All applicants must apply to Ecctis, a global service that ensures their academic qualifications are on the same level as UK universities.
It’s also important to confirm that your university appears on the Global Universities List published by the Home Office. Otherwise, you’ll not qualify.
Other eligibility criteria include:
- Age – all applicants must be at least 18 years old.
- English language proficiency – you must demonstrate a B1 level understanding of English if you don’t come from an English-speaking country.
- Financial requirement – your bank account balance must be at least £1,270 for a period exceeding 28 days. This proves you can support your stay in the UK.
- Prior visa requirement – you must not have previously received a Graduate Visa or entry into the UK through the Student Doctorate Extension Scheme.
- Security check – you must pass the security checks imposed by the UK government on all visa applicants.
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How to Apply for the UK High Potential Individual Visa
You can apply for the HPI visa from outside the United Kingdom, or switch to it from inside if you’re currently holding another visa type.
Before anything, verify your eligibility by applying to Ecctis. This costs £210 if you’re outside and £255 if you live in the UK. Then, use the steps below.
If you live outside the UK;
- Visit the British embassy to get a biometric residence permit.
- Use the UK Immigration ID Check app to scan and upload your passport.
- Once the uploads are verified, proceed with the online application.
If you’re in the UK;
- Confirm if you need to verify your identity. If not, skip this step.
- Use this link to proceed with the online application.
Once you complete your application, you’ll get a decision in three weeks if you’re outside the UK and eight weeks if you’re inside.