HIGH POTENTIAL

The High Potential Individual Visa is available to recent graduates of top
global universities who wish to work, or look for work, in the UK.

The High Potential Individual route does not lead directly to settlement in the UK.

However, before your leave expires, you may be able to apply from within the UK
to switch into another immigration route which does lead to settlement.

Applicantsmay be joined or accompanied by a partner and dependent children.

Requirements for a High Potential Individual Visa
In order to qualify for a High Potential Individual Visa, you will need to satisfy UK

Visas and Immigration that:

• You are aged 18 or over;
• You have, in the last 5 years, been awarded an overseas degree level
  academic qualification from an institution which appears on the Global
  Universities List;
• You are competent in the English language to at least CEFR Level B1
  (equivalent to IELTS 4.0);
• You have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds;
• You have not previously been granted permission under the Student
• Doctorate Extension Scheme, as a Graduate or as a High Potential
  Individual;
• You have provided a valid TB certificate, if required.

Howlong you can stay
An HPI visa usually lasts for 2 years. If you have a PhD or other doctoral
qualification, it will last for 3 years.

Apply to Settle in the UK: long residence
You can apply to settle in the UK if you’ve been in the UK legally for 10
continuous years (known as ‘long residence’). Settling (known as ‘indefinite leave to
remain’) means you can stay in the UK without any time restrictions.

You must have permission to stay (‘leave to remain’). This can be in any
immigration category, or a combination of different immigration categories.
You must also have:

• been in the UKlegally for 10 years (known as your ‘continuous residence’), kept to
  the terms of your UK visa
• If you’re aged 18 to 65 years old, you must pass the Life in the UK Test
  prove you have sufficient English Language Skills

If you do not meet these 2 requirements you can apply extend your 10-year qualifying
period starts from either:

• when you arrived in the UK with a visa
• When given permission to stay in the UK
• Continuous residence is time you’ve spent in the UK without gaps.

You can leave the UK during the continuous residence for up to 180 days at a time
540 days in total. You cannot count time spent in a prison, young offender institution or
secure hospital in Ireland, the Isle of Man or Channel Islands.