What is the High Potential Individual visa?

Due to be launched on 30th May 2022, the High Potential Individual visa (HPI) route is for individuals that have recently graduated from top global universities and want to work in the UK. Graduates should have successfully completed an eligible course of study equivalent to UK Bachelor’s degree level or above. 

The course of study must have been with an institution that appears on the government ‘Global Universities List’. This list of eligible universities is not yet published but will be nearer the visa launch date. The list will include universities outside of the UK that are ranked in the top 50 of at least two of the following ranking systems:

(a) Times Higher Education World University Rankings

(b) Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings

(c) The Academic Ranking of World Universities

Does an applicant need to be sponsored? 

The High Potential Individual route is an unsponsored route which means that individuals will not need to find a UK licenced sponsoring company to employ them. Visa holders will be free to apply for jobs with any employer in the UK.

What are the requirements for the High Potential Individual visa?

• Applicants will need to have been awarded a degree equivalent to a UK Bachelors, Masters or PhD from an eligible university. The qualification level and English language level will need to be verified by Ecctis, an approved qualification verification company. 

• The degree must have been awarded no more than 5 years before applying for the visa.

• Applicants will need to pass an approved English language test at B1 level (Common European Framework of Reference).

• If applying from outside of the UK, applicants will need to show that they can support themselves in the UK by having funds of £1270 that they have kept for a minimum of 28 days. If the individual has been in the UK for at least 12 months, they will not need to show these funds.  

How long can you stay in the UK on this visa?

If applicants have a Bachelors or Masters, they can stay for 2 years and if they have a PhD, they can stay for 3 years. This is not a route to Indefinite Leave to Remain or settlement.

Can I bring my partner and children?

Yes, applicants can bring their children under the age of 18 and their partner.

How much does the visa cost?

The High Potential Individual visa costs £715.

What is the Scale-up visa? 

Due to be introduced on 22nd August 2022, the Scale-up route is for highly skilled and talented people that are recruited by a UK scale-up sponsor company for the purpose of growing and scaling the business. 

Does an applicant need to be sponsored?

Yes, the Scale-up visa is a sponsored route which means that the applicant will need to be employed by a company that has a valid UK sponsor licence. However, applicants will only need to be sponsored for the first 6 months, after which, they are free to work for other companies unsponsored.

What are the requirements for the Scale-up visa?

• Applicants must have a job offer from an approved scale-up sponsor. HMRC will help guide the Home Office to establish which companies would fall under this category. It is likely that further information will be published nearer the time. 

• Scale-up workers will need to be provided with a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) from the scale-up sponsor which they will need for their application.

• The worker must be doing a job at graduate level or above in a role that is listed in Appendix Skilled Occupations of the immigration rules. 

• The applicant must work for the sponsor company for at least 6 months and earn a salary of at least £33,000 or £10.58 per hour or the “going rate” for the role, whichever is higher. Each role on the Home Office list has an annual “going rate” that the worker should be paid as a minimum. 

• Applicants will need to pass an approved English language test at B1 level (Common European Framework of Reference).

• If applying from outside of the UK, applicants will need to show that they can support themselves in the UK by having funds of £1270 that they have maintained for 28 days. If the individual has been in the UK for at least 12 months, they will not need to show this. 

How long can you stay in the UK on this visa?

Visa holders can stay in the UK for up to 5 years and after that, they can apply for settlement and then British citizenship.

Can I bring my partner and children?

Yes, applicants can bring their children under the age of 18 and their partner.

How much does the visa cost?

The Scale-up visa costs £715.

At Ackroyd, we can help with immigration matters. Every case has its own unique intricacies to consider, and our skilled and experienced team of immigration experts are available to support you through your application. Please do not hesitate to contact us today.