High Potential Individual (HPI) visa solicitors

You can apply for an HPI visa online from outside the UK, or from inside the UK if your current visa allows switching. To be eligible, you must have earned a degree from a university on the UK Government’s Global Universities List within the last five years, meet the English language and maintenance requirements, and satisfy the suitability criteria. You cannot apply if you hold a Graduate visa or previously entered the UK under the Doctorate Extension Scheme.

When you apply you, will need to evidence that you: satisfy the English language requirement; have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK (unless you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months); and have a TB certificate if you are applying from a listed country. This is not an exhaustive list

The Home Office’s standard processing time for an HPI visa is eight weeks for applications made inside the UK and three weeks for applications made outside the UK. Priority service is available for an additional fee, providing a decision within five working days.

The length of leave granted depends on the level of qualification: applicants with a PhD or other doctoral level qualification are granted three years, while those with all other eligible degrees are granted two years.

Employers benefit from the HPI visa because it allows them to recruit exceptional global talent without sponsorship obligations. Our team advises employers on assessing a candidate’s eligibility; understanding work permissions and restrictions; planning future sponsorship routes as well as managing transitions to Skilled Worker or other visas.