High Potential Individual Visa UK

Effective from 30th May 2022, the government implemented the new High Potential Individual Visa. UK businesses and overseas workers will both benefit from this change, as it is part of the UK government’s commitment to ‘an elite points-based route to attract the brightest and best’, with the goal of reinforcing the country as a ‘leading international hub for emerging technologies’. As such, applicants for the High Potential Individual Visa are only accepted if they hold qualifications awarded within the last five years from the world’s top universities.

For advice on the UK’s High Potential Individual Visa requirements, get in touch with JMW’s expert immigration solicitors. Well-versed in immigration law, our team is experienced and ready to offer you guidance on the application process. Call 0345 872 6666, or fill in an online enquiry form and we will return your call at a time convenient for you.

How JMW Can Help

By assessing your situation, our immigration solicitors will be able to highlight what steps you will need to take to progress and succeed in your application. We will explain all of the necessary documentation involved, guide you through any paperwork and advise on what evidence you will need to provide and how to get it.

For the High Potential Individual route, you will need to demonstrate a number of requirements, such as English language ability, by taking a test. We will help to arrange this test for you and recommend the best ways to provide the rest of your evidence in a succinct way to ensure the process runs smoothly. You can be assured that we will handle the complex aspects of your application, as immigration law can be difficult to navigate, and any mistakes in the process could lead to major time delays or rejection.

What are the Requirements for the High Potential Individual Visa?

The new visa route is for recent graduates of universities on the Global Universities List who are looking for work in the UK. These universities must be, or have been at the time of graduation, in the top 50 ranked in the world, recognised by:

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

Applicants must have successfully completed an eligible course that was equivalent to or above a UK Bachelor’s degree. To be successful in their application, an applicant must achieve 70 points across the following criteria.

Global Universities List (50)

An applicant must:

• Have been awarded a degree-level academic qualification that is equivalent to or exceeds a UK Bachelor’s, from an overseas institution.
• Have graduated from an institution that appeared on the Global Universities List on the applicant’s date of graduation.

English Language Requirement (10)

An applicant must:

• Show English language ability in line with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages all four components (reading, writing, speaking and listening) of at least level B1. 

An applicant may be exempt from this requirement - contact an expert immigration solicitor if you think this may apply to you.

Financial Requirement (10)

An applicant must:

• Be able to show funds that will enable their residence in the UK. An applicant can show their own personal funds as evidence.

This requirement will be automatically met if the applicant has been living in the UK for 12 months or longer on the date of application.

The visa is not a route to settlement, but a successful applicant will be able to bring their dependent partner and children under the age of 18. The route allows a grant of a two-year duration if the applicant holds a Bachelor’s or Master's equivalent degree, or three years if they hold a PhD or other doctoral qualification.

Why Choose JMW?

If you are looking to relocate to the UK with a visa, you should employ the assistance of expert immigration solicitors. The visa application process can be complex and time-consuming, requiring you to complete tests and supply evidence. Our experienced team can save you time and stress by handling the legal aspects of your relocation, while you can concentrate on the logistics of it, and continue with your life as normal.

Our firm has been recognised by the Legal 500 as a top law firm in the UK for our successes in the immigration field and across many other areas of law. Our solicitors understand the stress that comes with many legal processes, and act accordingly, explaining as we go to help you avoid confusion.

If you attempt to apply for a visa without the help of a legal professional, you could miss out on key aspects of the requirements, or fail to see areas where you may have more of an advantage than you initially thought. We can help you to realise your goals of working in the UK in an efficient, friendly and easy-to-understand way.

Get in Touch

For expert advice and guidance on your High Potential Individual Visa application, contact JMW Solicitors by calling 0345 872 6666, or fill in an online enquiry form and we will get back to you.