This article provides a brief overview of and discusses the application process of High Potential Individual (HPI) visa. 

What is High Potential Individual Visa? 

The High Potential Individual visa is a work route eligible for international graduates who have been awarded an overseas degree level academic qualification that is equivalent to a UK’s bachelor’s or postgraduate degree in the five years preceding their visa application. 

Global Universities List 

The foremost eligibility requirement under this route is that the applicant must have been awarded an undergraduate degree or a post graduate degree within five years of the date of application from a university on the Global Universities List.  

This list if published annually. It consists of all non-UK universities that have been included within Top 50 of at least two of the following: 

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

Eligible Degree 

Applicants are required to have their qualifications verified by Ecctis as being equivalent to a UK bachelors or postgraduate degree.  

Ecctis will also verify and confirm the date of award in the Academic Qualification Level Statement.  

Language Requirement 

Applicants are required to evidence that their English Language skills are equivalent to level B1 of the Common European Framework of References for English language in all 4 components (reading, writing, speaking and listening). 

You must pay for Ecctis to check your qualification is valid. 

Financial Requirements 

Applicants are also required to meet the financial requirement when they are applying for permission to enter. 

Applicants who have been in the UK for at least 12 months with valid Leave to Remain, are automatically considered to have met the financial requirement. 

To satisfy the requirement, the applicant must provide evidence showing they have funds of at least £1,270 for a 28-day period. Day 28 must be within 31 days prior to applying for this visa.   

Other Eligibility Criteria 

Applicants are not required to have a job offer to apply.  

Furthermore, you can only apply for a High Potential Individual visa once and you cannot apply if: 

• You have already been given a UK Graduate visa; or 
• You have already come to the UK as a Doctorate Extension Scheme student. 

You may also have to provide a Tuberculosis test result if you are from a listed country. 

Length of Permission and Visa Conditions 

A High Potential Individual visa usually only lasts for 2 years. If you have a Phd or other doctoral qualifications, it will last for 3 years.  

You cannot extend your High Potential Individual visa, but you can switch into a different visa category. 

With a High Potential Individual visa, you can: 

• Work in most jobs; 
• Look for work; 
• Be self employed; 
• Live in the UK with your partner and children, if they are eligible; 
• Do voluntary work; and 
• Travel abroad and return to the UK. 

You cannot: 

• Apply for most benefit/public funds; 
• Work as a professional sportsperson; 

• Extend this visa; 
• Apply to settle permanently in the UK; and 
• Study if your course is eligible for student visa. 

How Can We Help?  

Our team at RPK Solicitors is experienced in all aspects of UK private and business immigration law. We will advise you on your immigration status and the merits of your visa application before you submit it to the Home Office.  

We will assist with the preparation and submissions at each stage of the process which involves a significant amount of administrative tasks and submitting correct documentary evidence. We will guide you through the complex Immigration Rules to ensure that your applications meet the requirements.  

If you require our assistance, please contact us today via email at legal@rpksolicitors.com or give us a call on +44 (0)20 39319820.