If you’ve received a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree from a top global university in the past five years, you may be able to apply for a UK High Potential Individual (HPI) visa. With an HPI visa, academically-gifted migrants can work in most jobs, including voluntary work and self-employment. As an unsponsored work route, you do not need to have a job offer before applying. Flexible employment opportunities and unrestricted permission to leave the UK and re-enter makes this visa category an excellent option for recent graduates of prestigious universities.
Most HPI visas last for two years, but if you have a PhD, you are permitted to stay for three years. Before applying, you’ll need to check that your awarding institution appears in the Home Office Global Universities List. Graduates of UK universities are not eligible for an HPI visa, but if you’re here on a student visa you may be able to apply for a Graduate visa instead. Get in touch today to discuss your eligibility and prepare your application with personalised immigration law guidance.
How can Lexus Law help?
- Before preparing your application, we’ll make sure you meet all criteria stipulated by UKVI for the High Potential Individual visa.
- We will help you gather the required documentation, easing the burden of preparing and submitting a strong visa application.
- If your existing HPI visa is coming to an end, or if you are in the country on a student visa, we will advise you on the best routes to extend your stay in the UK.
Speak to our team
Contact us today to find out how our expert immigration lawyers can help you achieve your goals with HPI visa application support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my family members with me to the UK?
Yes, your partner and children can apply to join you in the UK as your dependants, if they’re eligible. Each family member must complete a separate application to the Home Office and will be subject to their own visa application and healthcare surcharge fees.
How much does it cost to apply for a High Potential Individual visa?
There are three fees to be aware of when applying for a HPI visa:
- Before submitting your visa application, you must request that Ecctis verify the validity of your qualification. This service costs £210 if applying from overseas, or £252 if applying from within the UK.
- The application fee for the visa is £715.
- HPI visa applicants (and their dependants) will also need to pay the healthcare surcharge of £624 for each year they will stay in the country.
You may also need to prove that you have sufficient funds to support yourself while living in the UK. This usually means you need to have £1,270 available for at least 28 days in a row before your application date.
My HPI visa is coming to an end. Can I extend it or apply for settlement?
No, it is not possible to extend an HPI visa and this route does not lead to settlement. If you’re in the UK on an HPI visa, you may be eligible to switch to a different visa category, such as a Skilled Worker visa. We recommend seeking legal guidance when looking to extend your stay in the UK beyond your visa’s expiry date.
What are the English language requirements for the High Potential Individual visa?
To apply for the HPI visa, you must be able to show that you can read, write, speak and understand the English language to at least level B1 on the CEFR scale. This is equivalent to an IELTS score of 4.0.
Our Process
01.
Contact us to book your complimentary consultation.
If you need trustworthy legal advice regarding immigration in the UK, we would be pleased to help. Fill in our contact form with a brief overview of your situation and we will be in touch as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation with our immigration law experts.
02.
Let us review your circumstances and provide a quotation.
During your free consultation, we will provide guidance on how we can support you with your immigration needs. Once we have assessed your current situation and objectives, we will advise on the best course of action and will supply a quotation for our recommended services.
03.
Leave the complex legal matters to our dedicated immigration lawyers.
Once you have approved the quote, we will supply you with our full terms of business. After the terms have been agreed to, we will work closely with you (or on your behalf where appropriate) to achieve your immediate and long-term UK immigration goals.
“This firm can only be described as excellent. Their knowledge of immigration law is second to none. The fast efficient way that they deal with situations is first-class professionalism at its very best. Once you have used Jay and his team you will never use anyone else.”
CLIENT Testimonial
“Jay Moghal of Lexus Law is extremely professional and has deep and impressive knowledge of all aspects of immigration law and procedure. He is creative and a great communicator, fierce and energising, encouraging the pursuit of his clients’ cases with impeccable judgement. I would not hesitate to recommend Jay. His knowledge and professionalism shines through in every event.”
CHAMBERS AND PARTNERS
“Highly recommended. Jay is a thorough professional, who reviewed the case in depth, looked after all the aspects and his suggestions on what I should submit with the case were spot on. I don’t think my case would have been accepted without his help.”
CLIENT Testimonial
“Lexus Law were an absolute dream to deal with. Jay Moghal was our appointed lawyer and he was excellent to deal with. He ensured we submitted all of the required documents and when our application was delayed with COVID challenges he chased the UK Government to expedite the issue and ensure a successful outcome. Highly recommend Lexus Law and Jay to anyone who needs immigration to support.”
CLIENT Testimonial
“Jay and his team assisted with switching over from a student BRP to a spousal one. All I had to do was show up to my appointment and take my fingerprints/photos. They handled the rest! What a dream.”
CLIENT Testimonial
“Lexus Law was founded in 2020 by Jay Moghal, and is building a reputation acting for corporate clients alongside Moghal’s established position among high-net-worth clients.”
THE LEGAL 500
“Jay was wonderful to work with and he made the process of getting our TIER 1 investment visa smooth and easy. He was responsive, professional yet very personable. Even after we got our Visa, he was always ready and willing to answer questions that helped us feel more secure and steady. Moving and transitioning to a new country is always fraught with a myriad of emotions. Jay was definitely an anchor that helped us feel steady.”
CLIENT Testimonial
“I have a good experience with Mr Jay Moghal. I faced a couple of problems and appreciate his professionalism and transparency to deal with my issues and solve the problem. I highly recommend him.”
CLIENT Testimonial
Who we’ve helped
One of the largest wine producers in the UK
The client previously relied on seasonal workers from Europe to help with their harvest, but following Brexit needed support with sponsoring a senior wine consultant on a more permanent basis.
Who we’ve helped
Specialist consultants supporting tech firms with pricing, growth strategies and competitor analysis
We supported them with a sponsor licence application and continue to provide advice on licence maintenance following a reshuffle of key members. We have also helped with skilled worker visa applications.
Who we’ve helped
A global asset management company with over £30 billion under management
We assisted a publicly-trading company their Sponsor Licence application once they had set up operations in the UK. We also helped with visa applications for senior investment advisers from various global offices to support the growth of the business in the UK.
Who we’ve helped
A public listed tech company specialising in sensors used in vehicles, drones and robotics
The US business acquired a UK-based company who we were previously advising. Following the successful acquisition, we assisted with the transfer of employees and continue to assist with the recruitment of skilled overseas workers from around the world.
Who we’ve helped
A specialist children’s content creation company with offices in the US and the UK
We supported the client with various skilled worker visa applications for their employees.
