High Potential Individual (UK) 🧑🎓
The High Potential Individual visa (or HPI visa) gives you permission to live and work in the United Kingdom for up to three years if you’ve graduated from a top university around the world.
+ securing dream job
+ comfortable relocation
+ securing dream job
+ comfortable relocation
What is a Global Talent Visa?
The High Potential Individual visa (or HPI visa) gives you permission to live and work in the United Kingdom for up to three years if you’ve graduated from a top university around the world.
This UK visa allows talented postgrads to live and seek work in the UK based on their potential to innovate in their fields. It’s available to those who have graduated with a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD from a qualifying university within the last five years.
Who is eligible for the HPI visa?
To be eligible for the High Potential Individual visa, you have to have been awarded qualification from an eligible university within the last five years. Your qualification must come from an overseas school—it can’t be from a UK university and must be on the same level as:
Qualifying universities are announced each year and may vary based on the year in which you completed your studies. Check the visa requirements at gov.uk (and the list below) to make sure your university is on the list for the month and year you were awarded your qualification.
Other eligibility criteria:
This UK visa allows talented postgrads to live and seek work in the UK based on their potential to innovate in their fields. It’s available to those who have graduated with a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD from a qualifying university within the last five years.
Who is eligible for the HPI visa?
To be eligible for the High Potential Individual visa, you have to have been awarded qualification from an eligible university within the last five years. Your qualification must come from an overseas school—it can’t be from a UK university and must be on the same level as:
- A UK bachelor’s degree
- A UK master’s degree
- A UK postgraduate degree
- A UK PhD or doctorate
Qualifying universities are announced each year and may vary based on the year in which you completed your studies. Check the visa requirements at gov.uk (and the list below) to make sure your university is on the list for the month and year you were awarded your qualification.
Other eligibility criteria:
- Age requirement: You must be at least 18 years old.
- Prior visa requirement: You must not have been previously granted a Graduate Visa or entry into the UK under the Student Doctorate Extension Scheme.
- English language requirement: You must demonstrate at least B1 level English proficiency if you are not from an English-speaking country.
- Financial requirement: You need a minimum of £1,270 in your bank account for 28 days to show you can support yourself in the UK.
- Security check: You must pass a security check required by the UK government for all visa holders.
What universities can you attend that qualify for the HPI visa?
Many schools around the world are eligible for the HPI visa route. Qualifying universities can change from year to year, so be sure to check the visa requirements at gov.uk.
For students graduating between Nov. 1, 2023 and Oct. 31, 2024, qualifying universities are:
For students graduating between Nov. 1, 2023 and Oct. 31, 2024, qualifying universities are:
| University | Country |
|---|---|
| California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | USA |
| Columbia University | USA |
| Cornell University | USA |
| Delft University of Technology | Netherlands |
| Duke University | USA |
| Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL Switzerland) | Switzerland |
| ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) | Switzerland |
| Fudan University | China |
| Harvard University | USA |
| Johns Hopkins University | USA |
| Karolinska Institute | Sweden |
| Kyoto University | Japan |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | USA |
| McGill University | Canada |
| Nanyang Technological University (NTU) | Singapore |
| National University of Singapore | Singapore |
| New York University | USA |
| Northwestern University | USA |
| Paris Sciences et Lettres - PSL Research University | France |
| Peking University | China |
| Princeton University | USA |
| Shanghai Jiao Tong University | China |
| Stanford University | USA |
| Technical University of Munich | Germany |
| Tsinghua University | China |
| University of British Columbia | Canada |
| University of California, Berkeley | USA |
| University of California, Los Angeles | USA |
| University of California, San Diego | USA |
| University of Chicago | USA |
| University of Hong Kong | Hong Kong |
| University of Melbourne | Australia |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | USA |
| University of Pennsylvania | USA |
| University of Tokyo | Japan |
| University of Toronto | Canada |
| University of Washington | USA |
| Yale University | USA |
| Zhejiang University | China |
How It Works?
1
Assessment
At this stage, we thoroughly review your profile and sign a contract.
2
Preparation and obtaining visa
Collection of the necessary documents and submission of the document package to the Home Office to obtain the visa.
3
Securing job
Your HR consultant will define your job search strategy. Based on that strategy they will find suitable job positions for you, make applications on your behalf, arrange interviews, provide cover letters, and offer guidance on interview preparation.
During this stage, you will have regular meetings with the consultant to discuss progress and interview outcomes.
Outcome of this process will be signed job contract.
During this stage, you will have regular meetings with the consultant to discuss progress and interview outcomes.
Outcome of this process will be signed job contract.
4
Relocation 🛩
We will assist you and your family members in organizing your relocation, including opening a bank account, obtaining a national insurance number (NIN) and national health service number (NHS), registering with a GP(family doctor), enrolling your children in kindergarten or school, signing up for language courses, registering with local authorities, and addressing other important matters related to your move.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Ecctis verification: £210 (if applying outside the UK), £252 (if applying from within the UK)
- HPI application fee: £715
- Immigration healthcare surcharge: £624 per year you stay in the UK
Once you’ve finished your application and proven your identity, it typically takes three to eight weeks for the UK government to make a decision on your HPI visa. Those applying from outside the UK can expect their applications to take a bit longer to process than those applying from inside the UK.
The HPI visa is valid for two years for most visa holders or three years for those with PhDs or other doctoral qualifications. The HPI visa can’t be extended; however, if you wish to remain in the UK at the end of your HPI visa, you may be able to switch to another type of visa, such as a skilled worker visa, depending on your eligibility.
You can only study on the HPI visa if your course of study is not eligible for a student visa. Otherwise, you’ll be required to obtain a student visa.
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