High Potential Individual Visa UK
German citizens and residents can apply for the High Potential Individual Visa UK if they meet the requirements.
For more information about the HPI visa UK, including details about eligibility, documents required, payable fees and the application process, contact us at Total Law. You can reach our highly trained immigration lawyers by calling 0333 305 9375 or sending a message online.
What is the UK High Potential Individual visa?
The UK High Potential Individual (HPI) visa enables German citizens to live in the UK for 2 or 3 years. German citizens applying for this visa must prove they graduated from an eligible university in the last 5 years. If you have a bachelor’s or postgraduate degree, you can stay for 2 years. Doctorate holders can stay for 3 years.
With the HPI visa, you can briefly experience life in the UK. It can be a way of testing if the UK job market is suitable for you. After staying for 2 years, you can choose to switch to a more permanent visa or return to Germany. Since Brexit, German citizens now require sponsorship to work in the UK. However, for this visa, you do not need a job offer or the sponsorship of any UK employer.
Page Contents
- What is the UK High Potential Individual visa?
- Eligibility Requirements for a High Potential Individual Visa
- Required Documents for High Potential Individual Visa
- How to Apply for UK High Potential Individual Visa
- Duration and Extension of High Potential Individual Visa
- Processing Time and Cost for High Potential Individual Visa
- Settlement on the High Potential Individual Visa Route
- Dependents of High Potential Individual Visa Applicants
- How Can Total Law Help?
Eligibility Requirements for a High Potential Individual Visa
You must meet all the UK High Potential Individual visa requirements listed below for the UKVI to approve your visa application.
University Requirement
Germans seeking the HPI visa must have obtained a degree from an eligible university. The university must be on the eligible universities list in the month and year of your graduation. Currently, the only German university on the list is Technical University of Munich, Germany. Your degree must have been awarded to you in the last 5 years. If you are applying for the HPI visa in June 2024, your degree should not be older than June 2019. You can apply for the visa scheme even if you graduated from another university outside of Germany; so far, the university is on the global universities list.
Qualification Requirement
Your degree must be on the same level as a UK degree. You’ll need to apply for Ecctis to assess your qualifications.
English Language Requirement
To apply for the HPI visa from Germany, you must show that you have sufficient knowledge of English. You can prove this by presenting:
- Result of a standardised English language test provided by LanguageCert, Pearson, PSI Services (UK) Ltd-Skills for English (UKVI) or IELTS SELT Consortium. Note that the test result must not be older than 2 years.
- Proof that you were taught entirely in English for your last degree. Ecctis will need to assess your degree for this.
Financial Requirements
To apply for the HPI visa, you must show that you have sufficient means of subsistence. As per UKVI rules, you’ll need to show savings of a minimum of £1,270. This amount will increase if you intend to go to the UK with your family.
Restrictions on Applications
If you have gotten or are currently on a Graduate visa, you cannot apply for the HPI visa. Again, note that UK universities are not on the list. So, if you graduated from a UK university, you cannot apply for the HPI visa. Instead, you can apply for a Graduate visa. Furthermore, you cannot apply for the visa if you have once had an HPI visa. Finally, if you are a Doctorate Extension Scheme student, you cannot apply also.
Required Documents for High Potential Individual Visa
Here are the documents you have to present to the Home Office to prove you are eligible for the HPI visa:
Valid Passport
You must present an EU passport for Germans. The passport must have been issued no earlier than 10 years.
Proof of English Language Skills
You can present test scores from a secure English language test provider. Alternatively, you can show an English Language Proficiency Statement issued by Ecctis to prove you studied in English.
Academic Qualification Level Statement
You must show the Academic Qualification Level Statement from Ecctis to prove that your degree is on the same level as a UK degree.
Bank Statement
German citizens applying for the High Potential Individual visa may need to show they have enough money to survive in the UK. You need to show you have saved up to £1,270.
Genuine Relationship with Dependents
If you want to move from Germany to the UK with your family on an HPI visa, you must prove you have a genuine relationship with them. You must present birth and marriage certificates in this regard.
You must also submit a certified translation if your documents are in German.
How to Apply for UK High Potential Individual Visa
Take the following steps to apply for the HPI visa:
Step 1: Confirm the Validity of Your Degree
The first step is to get Ecctis to assess your degree. You’ll receive the Academic Qualification Level Statement if they ascertain it is on par with a UK degree. If your course was delivered in English, you can also write them to issue you an English language proficiency statement.
Step 2: Prepare Your Documents
Next is to gather your documents. If your studies were not in English, you must write and pass an English language test.
Step 3: Apply Online
Go to the Home Office website and make an online application. Attach supporting documents.
Step 4: Pay the Associated Fees
You’ll need proof that you have paid both the application fee and healthcare surcharge.
Step 5: Make a Biometric Collection Appointment
Schedule an appointment with the TLScontact or VFS Global visa application centres in Berlin or Dusseldorf. On your appointment date, go with your passport. The officers there will collect your passport and biometric information. You’ll also be charged a fee for their services. After collecting the biometric information, you can wait until the Home Office notifies you that your application has been successful.
Duration and Extension of High Potential Individual Visa
The HPI visa is valid for 2 years if you have a bachelor’s, master’s, or postgraduate diploma. It is valid for 3 years if you have a PhD. You cannot extend your stay on the HPI visa. You’ll have to switch to another visa or leave the UK once your visa expires.
Processing Time and Cost for High Potential Individual Visa
Processing Time
The Home Office takes 3 weeks to process your visa application.
Cost
- You’ll pay £210 for Ecctis to assess your qualifications.
- You’ll pay £880 for the UKVI to process your visa application.
- You’ll pay £1035 a year for the the healthcare surcharge. You may get a refund if you get employment in the health sector.
Settlement on the High Potential Individual Visa Route
Unfortunately, you cannot settle permanently in the UK on the High Potential Individual visa. To settle in the UK, you’ll need to switch to a visa that leads to permanent residence, such as the Skilled Worker visa.
Dependents of High Potential Individual Visa Applicants
To bring dependents on the HPI visa, you must prove they’re either your partner or child below 18. Every family member coming to the UK with you must pay the application fee and healthcare surcharge. Your spouse will pay the same healthcare surcharge fee as you did, while your child will pay less. Your child will pay £776 a year.
Means of Subsistence for Dependents:
- £285 for your partner.
- £315 for your first child.
- £200 for any extra child.
While filling out a separate application form online, your dependents will need your Unique Application Number (UAN) or Global Web Form (GWF) given to you after you complete your application. Your dependents will also visit the visa application centre for biometric capture.
How Can Total Law Help?
Total Law has expert immigration lawyers who are well-versed in UK immigration laws. They can guide you during the visa application process to ensure your application is of the highest standards. Often, there are cases of visa denials due to improper documentation, and this can be disheartening. However, our expert caseworkers can help you prepare your documents. We have assisted many Germans in their UK visa application and can help you, too.
To learn more about what we do or discuss your HPI visa application, call us today at 0333 305 9375 or message us online.
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