Overview
The High Potential Individual (HPI) visa allows you to reside in the UK for a minimum of 2 years. To be eligible for this visa, you must have received a qualifying qualification from an eligible university within the past 5 years.
If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, and started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you might be eligible to apply for the free EU Settlement Scheme. The deadline for most individuals to apply was 30 June 2021, but there are exceptions. You can still apply if you have a later deadline, such as joining a family member in the UK who was living there by 31 December 2020, or if you have reasonable grounds for being unable to apply by 30 June 2021, such as illness or being a victim of domestic abuse. It’s important to check if you can still apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. Otherwise, you will need a visa to work in the UK. Irish citizens, however, do not need to apply for a visa or the EU Settlement Scheme.
The duration of an HPI visa is typically 2 years, but if you possess a PhD or another doctoral qualification, it can be extended to 3 years.
If you wish to stay in the UK for a longer period, you cannot extend your HPI visa. However, you may have the option to switch to a different visa category, such as a Skilled Worker visa. Make sure to check if you meet the requirements for applying for another type of visa to continue your stay in the UK.
Getting a decision
To complete your application, you will be required to provide proof of your identity and submit the necessary documents. It is important to note that if you need to schedule an appointment for this purpose, you may need to allocate extra time. You will receive information regarding the requirement for an appointment when you commence your application process.
Once you have submitted your application online, provided the necessary documents, and verified your identity, you can typically expect a decision on your visa within a specific timeframe. If you are applying from outside the UK, the decision is usually reached within 3 weeks. If you are already in the UK at the time of application, the decision is typically reached within 8 weeks.
If your visa application is approved, it will become valid from the date specified in your decision letter. The letter will also indicate the duration of your visa, which can be either 2 or 3 years, depending on the circumstances of your application.
What you can and cannot do
The HPI visa offers several privileges and opportunities. With this visa, you are permitted to engage in various activities, including working in most jobs, searching for employment, being self-employed, living in the UK with your eligible partner and children, participating in voluntary work, and traveling abroad while maintaining the ability to return to the UK.
However, there are certain restrictions associated with the HPI visa. You are not eligible to apply for most benefits or the State Pension, work as a professional sportsperson, extend the duration of your HPI visa, or apply for permanent settlement in the UK. If your application for the HPI visa is approved, you will receive a comprehensive list outlining the specific activities that are permissible and those that are prohibited under this visa category.
When it comes to studying, you can only pursue a course of study with an HPI visa if the chosen program is ineligible for a Student visa. In the event that your course qualifies for a Student visa, you have the option to apply for a Student visa instead or extend an existing Student visa if you possess one.
It is important to note that if you intend to study or conduct research on sensitive topics, you may be required to obtain an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate. This certificate is necessary to ensure compliance with regulations regarding the study or research of sensitive subjects.