The UK Home Office, in a press release, shared details about the High Potential Individual visa route. The new visa welcomes graduates from top universities with degrees in science, engineering, and medical research to the UK to begin their careers and drive economic growth and technological advancement.
Individuals can apply for the HPI route if they have graduated from an eligible international university within five years before applying. Graduates do not need a job offer to apply. HPI visa holders will be given a 2-year work visa (or 3-years for those with a Ph.D.) and will be permitted to move into other long-term employment routes.
A graduate’s university must be listed for their graduation year to be eligible. For more information about university eligibility, click here.
The visa will cost £715 and is subject to the immigration health surcharge (IHS).
Later this year, the Scale-up visa route will follow to ensure businesses are supported during periods of growth and can recruit talent to the UK.
Erickson Insights
The UK Innovation Strategy, released in July 2021, mapped the government’s vision to make the UK a global hub for innovation by 2035. Following significant changes due to Brexit and the pandemic, the Innovation Strategy was presented as an opportunity for the UK to lead the future by creating it.