The UK is planning on introducing another visa to attract highly skilled grads from overseas. Due to launch on 30th May, the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa will allow graduates to work and remain in the country for two to three years depending on the level of degree they have. Applicants won’t be required to have sponsorship, or a job offer, and visa holders will be able to travel to Britain to work, become self-employed and also volunteer. “The new High Potential Individual route will make it as simple as possible for internationally mobile individuals who demonstrate high potential to come to the UK,” Minister for Safe and Legal Migration Kevin Foster said in a statement. “It will enable those who have already demonstrated their potential through academic achievement to come to the UK without a prior job offer.”

What are the academic requirements?

The initial requirement in order to obtain this visa is to have a degree from an internationally renowned university. The government will issue the list each year on the Gov.uk website. The list will include universities within the top 50 in a minimum of two of three renowned rankings, namely:

Times Higher Education World University rankings
Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University rankings
The Academic Ranking of the World Universities
In addition, visa applicants must have been awarded the degree within a maximum of five years of the application. The degree can be in any field but must be equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree. 

Financial obligations

Applicants must have the equivalent of at least £1,270 in their bank account for 28 consecutive days, no later than 31 days before applying for the visa. This may not apply to grads who have lived in the UK for over 12 months. The cost of the visa is £715.

Time allowed in the UK

Grads holding a bachelor’s or master’s degree will be granted a visa for two years. Whereas PhD or other doctoral level graduates will be eligible for a three-year visa.