The global world is growing and it is necessary to have more options for personal and professional development. The High Potential Individual Visa also called the HPI Visa, is the UKS gateway to such possibilities. This detailed information will range through the essentials of the HPI Visa, enabling you to grasp the concept and apply for the visa effortlessly.
Understanding the High Potential Individual Visa
What is the High Potential Individual Visa?
High Potential Individual Visa is the visa type allocated to people who graduated from top global universities. It gives them the right to live and work in the UK for 2 to 3 years, or 3 years for those who hold a PhD degree. This visa is a very versatile one, which allows you almost all kinds of jobs including entrepreneurship, and allows you to bring your family if you fulfill the conditions. You don’t need a job offer to apply for this visa, which offers a great chance to gain skills or pursue the personal growth you desire in the UK.
What Can I Do With a High Potential Individual Visa?
With a High Potential Individual Visa, your options are expansive:
Work in Most Jobs
The HPI Visa empowers you to explore employment opportunities across various sectors and roles in the UK job market.
Look for Work
Whether you have a specific job offer or not, you have the flexibility to actively search for suitable employment.
Be Self-Employed
Entrepreneurs and freelancers can seize this opportunity to establish and grow their businesses in the UK.
Live in the UK with Your Partner and Children
If your partner and children meet the eligibility criteria, they can accompany you and enjoy life in the UK as well.
Do Voluntary Work
Engaging in volunteer activities is not only encouraged but also enriching for personal and professional development.
Travel Abroad and Return to the UK
The HPI Visa allows you to travel outside the UK and return without jeopardizing your visa status.
However, there are some restrictions:
Applying for Most Benefits (Public Funds) or the State Pension
As an HPI Visa holder, you won’t be eligible to apply for most public funds or the State Pension during your stay in the UK.
Working as a Professional Sportsperson
If your career involves professional sports, you cannot pursue this under the HPI Visa.
Extending Your High Potential Individual Visa
It’s important to note that this visa cannot be extended beyond the initial duration. Therefore, you should plan your future immigration options accordingly.
Eligibility Criteria for the High Potential Individual Visa
Who is Eligible?
To qualify for the High Potential Individual Visa, you must meet specific criteria:
- Qualifications from Eligible Global Universities: You must hold qualifications awarded by institutions listed on the eligible global universities list. Additionally, the qualification must have been obtained within the past five years.
- Equivalent Level Qualification: Your qualification must be at the same level as a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree, or a Ph.D. or doctoral-level qualification.
- Verification: You need to apply to Ecctis for qualification verification, ensuring it meets the requirements.
- English Language Proficiency: You must demonstrate English language proficiency at least at level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale. You can achieve this through a Secure English Language Test (SELT), a degree primarily taught in English, or being exempt as a majority English-speaking country citizen.
- Financial Requirement: You must show that you can financially support yourself unless you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months.
Who Cannot Apply?
Certain circumstances may render you ineligible for the High Potential Individual Visa:
- You have previously been granted a Graduate Visa.
- You have already been in the UK as a Student Doctorate Extension Scheme student.
- You have previously applied for a High Potential Individual Visa.
Required Documents for Application
When applying for the High Potential Individual Visa, prepare the following documents:
- A valid passport or other travel document.
- Proof of English language proficiency.
- A statement from Ecctis confirming the eligibility of your qualification.
- If you applied to Ecctis to confirm that your qualification was taught in English, provide an ‘Academic Qualification Level Statement and English Language Proficiency Statement.’
Depending on your circumstances, additional documents may be required, such as your biometric residence permit (BRP), proof of relationship with your family members, or tuberculosis test results if applicable.
Application Process: Inside and Outside the UK
Applying from Outside the UK
If you are outside the UK, the application process involves:
Online application submission.
Proving your identity through biometrics or the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app, as instructed during the application.
Applying from Inside the UK
If you are already in the UK on a different visa and wish to switch to the High Potential Individual Visa, follow these steps:
Apply online.
Your partner or children, if accompanying you, must also apply separately.
Note that certain visa types, such as visit visas or graduate visas, are not eligible for switching to the HPI Visa within the UK. In such cases, you must leave the UK and apply from abroad.
Fees and Financial Requirements
High Potential Individual Visa Fees
To apply for the High Potential Individual Visa, you’ll need to cover the following fees:
- High Potential Individual visa application fee: £715
- Ecctis qualification verification: £210 (£252 if applying from inside the UK)
- Immigration health surcharge: £624
- It’s essential to be aware that the immigration health surcharge is an annual fee, payable for each year you remain in the UK under this visa.
In addition to the visa fees, you must satisfy the financial requirement, demonstrating that you have £1,270 of available funds for at least 28 consecutive days, with 28 of those days falling within 31 days before your visa application date. This requirement can be waived if you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months. Your family members accompanying you must also prove their financial capability.
Processing Times and Outcomes
Processing Times
The processing times for High Potential Individual Visa applications are as follows:
If applying from outside the UK, you can expect a decision within three weeks.
For applicants within the UK, the decision usually arrives within eight weeks.
However, certain factors may extend the processing time, such as document verification, interviews, or special circumstances like a criminal conviction.
Outcomes
After applying, you’ll receive either an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. If approved, you’ll receive either a vignette sticker in your passport or access to view your immigration status information online through the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app. In the case of a vignette sticker, it’s crucial to collect your biometric residence permit upon arrival in the UK.
If your application is refused, you will receive a letter or email explaining the grounds for refusal and your passport will be returned to you. You may have the option for an administrative review or an immigration decision appeal, depending on the circumstances.
In conclusion, the High Potential Individual Visa is a remarkable opportunity for individuals with qualifications from eligible global universities to explore the UK’s diverse career landscape. Its flexibility and comprehensive eligibility criteria make it an attractive choice for those seeking personal and professional growth. By adhering to the requirements and navigating the application process diligently, you can unlock the doors to a world of possibilities in the United Kingdom.