Last year on August 5 2021 the UK government published a policy paper on the new UK innovation strategy. This policy paper discussed opening two new visa routes in 2022 namely 'High potential individual' and 'Scale up' visas. Out of the two new visa routes, the 'High potential individual' visa route will open on 30 May 2022. On March 15, 2022, the UK Government announced the details of these two new visa routes. It is clear that both visa routes will make it easier for UK businesses as they will now have more options to hire and retain overseas talent to work in their organizations.

What is a High potential individual visa? 

The UK high potential individual visa will allow foreign graduates from a qualifying top "Global Universities List '' who have graduated within five years immediately before the date of application to work or look for work in the UK. The Home Office publishes the universities that fall on the "Graduate Universities List" on the official website www.gov.uk. The list of universities is compiled on an annual basis. All the non-UK institutions which are ranked in the top 50 of at least two of the following ranking systems are part of the "Global Universities List". 

 
a. Times Higher Education World University Rankings; and 

b. Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings; and 

c. The Academic Ranking of World Universities. 

 
The course from all such qualifying non-UK institutions should be equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree level or above.   

Applicants don't need sponsorship from a UK employer under the High potential individual visa route. If an applicant has a partner or dependent children, they can also apply on this route. However, the potential individual visa route is not a route to settlement in the UK. 
 
This is a point-based visa route. 

Requirements for a High potential individual visa? 

Following are the requirements to be met by applicants who wish to come and work in the UK on a High Potential individual visa. 

1. The applicant must be aged 18 or over; 

2. Applicants must apply for and obtain entry clearance as a High potential individual before they arrive in the UK. 

3. Applicants must be awarded a total of 70 points. They will get 50 points if they meet the Global Universities List degree requirement. Further, 10 points will be awarded for meeting the English language requirement at level B1, and ten more points will be awarded for completing the financial requirement. 

Financial requirements 

1. An applicant who is applying for permission to stay and has been in the UK with permission for 12 months or longer on the date of application they do not need to show funds to meet the financial requirement. 
2. An applicant who is applying for entry clearance or is applying for permission to stay and has been in the UK for less than 12 months at the date of application must have funds of at least £1,270. The applicant must show that they have held the required level of funds for a 28-day period and must show funds as specified in Appendix Finance. 

Other requirements 
 

1. You must have not previously been granted permission under the Student Doctorate Extension Scheme as a Graduate or a High Potential Individual. 

2. You must have provided a valid TB certificate if needed. 

How long can you stay in the UK on a High potential individual visa? 

If you have a PhD or other doctoral-level qualification, you will be granted three years stay in the UK, and for all other degree qualifications, the period granted to remain in the UK will be two years. 

If you have a degree from one of the Universities and need professional advice with applying for the High Potential Individual Visa, please do not hesitate to contact Visa and Migration Ltd on 02034111261.