High Potential Individual Visa

What is the High Potential Individual visa?

The High Potential Visa is a UK immigration category which allows recent graduates of top global universities, who want to work, or look for work in the UK, to come here following the successful completion of an eligible course of study equivalent to UK bachelor degree level or above.

The study must have been completed in an academic institution as listed on the Global Universities List.

Do I qualify for the High Potential Individual visa?

To qualify for a High Potential Individual visa, you must meet the following requirements:

• You are aged 18 or over on the date of application;
• In the 5 years immediately before the date of application, you must have been awarded an overseas degree level academic qualification which meets or exceeds the recognised standard of a UK bachelor’s or UK postgraduate degree;
• The degree must have been awarded by an institution which appears on the Global Universities List;

• You have sufficient funds to maintain yourself in the UK; and
• You meet the English language requirement (i.e. you can show English language ability of at least CEFR level B1 or higher).

It is also essential that you have never previously held leave under the Student Doctorate Extension Scheme, as a Graduate or as a High Potential Individual.

What period of leave will I be given? Can I extend my visa?

If your application is approved, you will normally be granted leave as a High Potential Individual for 2 years.

If you have successfully completed a PhD, or other doctorate-level qualification, you will be granted leave 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.

What kind of activities can I undertake in the UK as a High Potential Individual visa holder?

As a High Potential Individual, you are permitted to work in the UK (including self-employment and voluntary work), apart from undertaking work as a professional sportsperson (including as a sports coach).

You are also permitted to study in the UK, subject to certain conditions.

Can I bring my family with me?

The High Potential Individual visa allows you to bring with you a dependent spouse/partner who must be aged 18 or over and dependent children who are under the age of 18 at the time of the initial application.

Does the High Potential Individual route lead to settlement in the UK?

The High Potential Individual route does not lead to settlement in the UK. It may be possible, however, to switch from the High Potential Individual route into an immigration category which does lead to settlement, such as Skilled Worker.

For more information about us and our personal immigration services, please contact a member of the team who can answer any questions and guide you through the process.