EXPLAINED | UK High Potential Individual Visa — Check How Indian Students Can Benefit

The new "exciting" category under the post-Brexit points-based system is aimed to attract the “best and brightest" talent from around the world, regardless of nationality

High Potential Individual (HPI) visa

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New Delhi: Indian students can now benefit from the new High Potential Individual (HPI) visa route announced by Britain on Monday. The UK has launched the HPI visa route for graduates from the world’s top 50 non-UK universities, including Indian students to stay and work in the country for minimum two years, reported news agency PTI.  For a PhD or other doctoral qualification, the work visa will last for at least three years. In fact, those facing difficulties in extending their HPI visa can also switch to a different visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa, as per the UK government rules.

The new "exciting" category under the post-Brexit points-based system is aimed to attract the “best and brightest" talent from around the world, regardless of nationality, noted Indian-origin UK Cabinet ministers Rishi Sunak and Priti Patel in a joint statement.

The UK government said these new visas form part of a series of changes to the country’s immigration system after leaving the European Union (EU) and grant visas “based on the skills they have to offer and the contribution they can make, not where they come from".

Here’s what Indian students should know about HPI visa route

Requirement of funds: The new HPI visa route will cost around GBP 715 ( Rs70,071.48) and will have the option to bring in dependents or close family members.

Interested candidates applying under this route need to have funds of at least GBP 1,270 ( Rs1,24,462.63), as per the report. In order to become eligible the student should belong to an institution outside of the UK which must have featured in the top 50 of at least two of the three rankings for the year.  

Suitable applicants will be given a two-year work visa, with a three-year visa offered to those with a PhD, without the need for a specific job offer in hand.

Top 50 list of universities The top 50 list of universities has been identified from the rankings lists produced annually by ‘QS’, ‘Times Higher Education' and the ‘Academic Ranking of World Universities’ and covers universities from the US, Canada, Japan, Germany, Australia, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, France, Sweden and Switzerland.

Under the new route, the world's top graduates in subjects such as science, engineering and medical research will be encouraged to bring their skills to the UK after graduating from prestigious universities such as Harvard, Stanford and MIT.

What about Indians studying in UK?

 International students, including Indians, who are studying in the UK at any of the top universities are already eligible to stay for up to three years through the Graduate visa – popularly referred to as a post-study work visa – opened in July last year.

How long does it take for the new visa?

There is a need for the applicant to prove his/her identity and provide relevant documents, as per the Mint report. One gets a decision on their visa within three weeks, if you’re outside the UK. It takes around eight weeks if you’re inside the UK.

What you can and cannot do with an HPI visa?

You can work in most jobs, look for work, remain self-employed and also live in the UK with your partner and children if at all they are eligible. You can also opt for voluntary work, travel abroad and return to the UK.

Who can apply for an HPI visa?

One can only study with an HPI visa if his/her chosen course is not eligible for a Student visa. If the course is eligible for a student visa, then he/she needs to apply for a Student visa instead, or extend their Student visa.

One may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if you’re studying or researching sensitive topics.