A new UK visa route, called the High Potential Individual visa, is due to come online on 30 May 2022. This is exciting news for some recent US graduates who will now have a route to move to the UK without an employer’s sponsorship. This route also allows entry for qualifying partners or dependent children.
How to qualify for this new visa
To qualify, you must have completed a bachelors or higher degree within the past five years. The university awarding the degree must also be within the top 50 of at least two of the following ranking systems:
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings
- The Academic Ranking of World Universities
Visa financial requirements
You will need to show cash funds of at least £1,270 if you are applying from outside the UK. If you are switching from another UK visa and have been in the UK with valid permission for the past 12 months, then this requirement is waived.
How long can you stay?
This visa will allow for a 2 year residency for bachelors or non-doctoral postgraduate degree holders. PhD or other doctoral graduates will be eligible for a 3 year residency.
What about settlement? Can you get indefinite leave to remain?
This visa does not count towards settlement in the UK. However, you can swap from this visa onto another visa that will move you toward indefinite leave to remain eligibility. Most likely, you will be looking to switch to a Skilled Worker visa. See an explanation of the requirements for that route here.
More details on UK visas
Looking to apply for a Skilled Worker visa directly? See this article on job hunting, and this article on crafting your UK CV.
Full details will be available on the UK government website once the new visa route goes live.
