High Potential Individual Visa
What is the High Potential Individual Visa?
The High Potential Individual visa category permits individuals who have obtained qualifications from accredited international universities listed on the approved global universities list to work in the UK for a maximum of two years. For those who have successfully completed a PhD or a doctoral-level qualification, the duration may extend to three years. Note that this visa cannot be extended beyond this period, but you may have the option to switch to a Skilled Worker visa or other eligible UK visas.
A High Potential Individual Visa provides the flexibility to work in most job roles, engage in self-employment, and live in the UK with your partner and children, provided they also meet the eligibility criteria. Importantly, you do not need a job offer to be eligible for the High Potential Individual visa.
What Can You Do With a High Potential Individual Visa?
With a High Potential Individual visa, you are granted the following privileges:
However, there are certain limitations:
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility for the High Potential Individual visa is determined by two main criteria:
Qualification Source
Only individuals who have received qualifications from institutions listed in the eligible global universities list are eligible. Furthermore, the qualification should have been awarded within the past five years.
Qualification Level
The qualification obtained should be at the same level as a UK bachelor’s degree, a UK postgraduate degree, or a UK PhD or doctoral-level qualification. Applicants must apply to Ecctis to confirm the validity and level of their qualification.
Additionally, applicants need to fulfill these requirements:
Applicants are ineligible if they have already been granted a Graduate visa, are participants in the Student Doctorate Extension Scheme, or have previously applied for a High Potential Individual visa.
Required Documents
When applying for a High Potential Individual Visa, you will need the following documents:
Additional documents may be required based on your individual circumstances, including your biometric residence permit (BRP) or online proof of immigration status if you are switching from another visa. If you are applying with your partner or children, you must provide proof of your relationship with them. Applicants from specified countries may need to provide tuberculosis test results. Note that documents not in English or Welsh will require a certified translation.
If you’ve applied to Ecctis to verify that your qualification was taught in English, you will also need to provide an ‘Academic Qualification Level Statement and English Language Proficiency Statement.’
Application Process – Outside the UK
Applying for the High Potential Individual visa from outside the UK involves an online application process. As part of this, you will need to prove your identity, which can be done in one of two ways:
The specific method required will be communicated during the application process. Importantly, a job offer in the UK is not a prerequisite for applying for a High Potential Individual visa.
Application Process – Outside the UK
If you are already in the UK on a different visa, you may be eligible to switch to a High Potential Individual visa. The application must be submitted online. Your partner or children, if accompanying you, will also need to apply separately to switch their visas. They can apply concurrently with you or at any time before their current visa expires. However, individuals on certain visas, such as visit visas, short-term student visas, graduate visas, parent of a child student visas, seasonal worker visas, or domestic worker in a private household visas, are not eligible to switch to a High Potential Individual visa. Additionally, if you are currently in the UK, you can only switch to this visa if one of the following applies to you:
Fees for the High Potential Individual Visa
Applying for a High Potential Individual Visa involves specific fees:
Please note that the immigration health surcharge is an annual fee that must be paid for each year you plan to stay in the UK. Additionally, to obtain entry clearance, you must meet the financial requirement of having £1,270 in cash funds available, which must have been held for at least 28 consecutive days within the 31 days before applying for the visa. This financial requirement is generally waived if you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months. Your partner and children, if accompanying you, must also demonstrate their ability to support themselves while in the UK.
Processing Times
Processing times for High Potential Individual visa applications vary based on your location:
However, processing times may extend if additional verification or interviews are necessary due to factors such as document validation or personal circumstances, including criminal convictions.
After Applying
After you have submitted your application and it has been processed, you will receive either an email or a letter containing the decision. If your application is approved, you will be provided with either a sticker (vignette) to be placed in your passport (if biometric information was submitted at a visa application center) or access to view your immigration status information online (if the smartphone app was used for identity verification).
If you receive a vignette in your passport, it is essential to collect a biometric residence permit after your arrival in the UK. This should be done before the vignette sticker expires or within ten days of arriving in the UK.
In the event of a refusal, you will receive a letter or an email explaining the grounds for rejection, and your passport will be returned to you. If you disagree with the decision, you may have the option to pursue either an administrative review or an immigration decision appeal.
How Immigration Secure Can Assist You
Navigating the various visa categories and application procedures can be challenging. Immigration Secure offers expert guidance to help you choose the right Workers Visa category and ensure you meet all specific requirements for a successful application. Our services include comprehensive document checks, assistance with application forms, and the provision of a Letter of Representation to strengthen your case.
To initiate the process of obtaining your Temporary Worker Visa, please reach out to us or make an online enquiry. Our team of professionals is here to guide you through the entire application process.
HIGH POTENTIAL INDIVIDUAL
Frequently Asked Questions
The High Potential Individual visa is a category that allows individuals who have obtained qualifications from accredited international universities listed on the approved global universities list to work in the UK for a maximum of two years, or up to three years for those with a PhD or doctoral-level qualification. It does not require a job offer.
With this visa, you can work in most job roles, search for employment, engage in self-employment, live in the UK with your eligible partner and children, engage in voluntary work, and travel abroad and return to the UK. However, there are limitations, such as not being eligible for most benefits, not being able to work as a professional sportsperson, and not being able to extend the visa or apply for permanent settlement in the UK.
Eligibility is determined by qualification source (accredited international universities) and qualification level (equivalent to a UK bachelor’s, postgraduate, or PhD degree). Applicants must also demonstrate English proficiency, meet financial requirements, and not have previously been granted a Graduate visa or participated in certain schemes.
Required documents include a valid passport, proof of English language proficiency, and a statement from Ecctis confirming the eligibility of your qualification. Additional documents may be required based on your circumstances.
T5 Visa holders are typically restricted to working for their sponsoring employer or organization. If you want to work for a different employer, you may need to apply for a new visa.
There is no specific annual quota for T5 Visas. However, each subcategory may have its own eligibility criteria and limits.
Depending on the subcategory and your circumstances, you may be required to demonstrate your English language proficiency as part of the visa application process.
Processing times can vary, but it’s advisable to apply well in advance of your intended travel date, as visa processing times may change.