Apply for Switching to a High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa UK

You can apply to switch to a High Potential Individual (HPI) visa from inside the UK, subject to meeting immigration status requirements, if you have been awarded a qualification by an eligible university within the last 5 years. A High Potential Individual (HPI) visa is usually granted for 2 years; however, if you have a PhD or other doctoral qualification, the HPI visa will be granted for 3 years. An application for switching into a High Potential Individual (HPI) visa from inside the UK is made in accordance with the requirements as set out in Appendix High Potential Individual of the Immigration Rules. 

Free Immigration Advice for the High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa

Our specialist team of immigration solicitors can provide 5-minute, free, one-off immigration advice on your High Potential Individual (HPI) visa. Ask a question online to our specialist team of immigration solicitors for free immigration advice online, or book an appointment online for detailed immigration advice and consultation with one of our HPI visa solicitors concerning your High Potential Individual (HPI) visa.

Requirements for Switching to a High Potential Individual Visa UK

A person applying for switching into a High Potential Individual (HPI) visa from inside the UK should meet the following requirements as set out in the Immigration Rules:

Valid Application

You must submit a valid application for switching into a High Potential Individual (HPI) visa from inside the UK in accordance with the requirements for a valid application as set out in Appendix High Potential Individual of the Immigration Rules. 

Age Requirement

The applicant must be aged 18 or over on the date of application.

Written Consent From Government Or Agency

If the applicant has, in the last 12 months before the date of application, received an award from a Government or international scholarship agency covering both fees and living costs for study in the UK, they must provide written consent to the application from that Government or agency.

Immigration Status Requirement

An applicant who is applying for switching into a High Potential Individual (HPI) visa from inside the UK must be in the UK on the date of application and must not have, or have last been granted, permission:

• as a Visitor; or
• as a Short-term Student; or
• as a Parent of a Child Student; or
• as a Seasonal Worker; or
• as a Domestic Worker in a Private Household; or
• outside the Immigration Rules.

Previous Grants

The applicant must not have been previously granted permission under the Student Doctorate Extension Scheme, as a Graduate or as a High Potential Individual.

Points Requirement for a High Potential Individual Visa

The applicant must earn a total of 70 points according to the table below.

Requirement	Relevant rules	Points available
Global Universities List degree requirements	HPI 5.1 to 5.4	50
English Language requirement at level B1	HPI 6.1 to 6.3	10
Financial requirement	HPI 7.1 to 7.4	10

Global Universities List Degree Requirement

The applicant must, in the 5 years immediately before the date of the application, have been awarded an overseas degree-level academic qualification which Ecctis confirms meets, or exceeds, the recognised standard of a UK bachelor’s or UK postgraduate degree. The institution at which the applicant was awarded the degree in question must appear on the Global Universities List in respect of the date the applicant was awarded the degree.

The date the applicant was awarded the degree will be the date as confirmed by Ecctis. If the above degree reuirements requirements are met, the applicant will be awarded 50 points.

English language requirement for High Potential Individual

Unless an exemption applies, the applicant must demonstrate English language proficiency at level B1 or higher on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages across all 4 components (reading, writing, speaking, and listening). The applicant must demonstrate that they meet the English language requirement specified in Appendix English Language. If the requirements for English language are met, the applicant will be awarded 10 points for meeting the English language requirement.

Financial Requirement for a High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa

If the applicant is applying for switching into a High Potential Individual (HPI) visa from inside the UK and has been in the UK with permission for 12 months or longer on the date of application, they will meet the financial requirement and do not need to show funds.

An applicant who is applying for switching into a High Potential Individual (HPI) visa from inside the UK and has been in the UK for less than 12 months at the date of application must have funds of at least £1,270. The applicant must demonstrate that they have held the required level of funds for a 28-day period and that the funds are as specified in Appendix Finance.

If the above financial requirements are met, the applicant will be awarded 10 points.

Suitability Requirements

The applicant must not fall for refusal under Appendix Part Suitability of the Immigration Rules. 

If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must not be:

• in breach of immigration laws, except that where the Exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
• on immigration bail.

Period and Conditions Of Grant

The applicant will be granted leave to remain as a High Potential Individual (HPI) migrant as set out in the table below based on the qualification relied on to meet the Global Universities List degree requirement.

Type of Degree Qualification	Period granted from the date of the decision
PhD or other doctoral-level qualification	3 years
All other degree qualifications	2 years

The grant will be subject to all the following conditions:

• no access to public funds; and
• work (including self-employment and voluntary work) is permitted, apart from work as a professional sportsperson (including as a sports coach); and
• study is permitted, except study with an education provider which is a Student sponsor, and which would meet the approved qualification and level of study requirements of the Student route, which are set out in Appendix Student; and
• study is subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS.

Priority or Super Priority Service for  Switching to a High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa

As specialist work visa solicitors based in London, we are registered with the Home Office, UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) to provide Priority or Super Priority Service for switching into High Potential Individual (HPI) visa whereby decision on your High Potential Individual (HPI) visa application will be made within 24 hours if you submit your application through Super Priority Service or within 5 working days if you submit your application through Priority Service.

Our work visa solicitors can prepare and submit your application to switch to a High Potential Individual (HPI) visa, and get you a decision faster through Priority or Super Priority Service. This way, you will not have to wait months (sometimes years) for a decision on your High Potential Individual (HPI) visa application.

How Can We Help?

Our specialist team of immigration solicitors can provide expert immigration advice and legal representation on a fixed-fee basis for your application to switch to a High Potential Individual (HPI) visa. Our fixed fee for your immigration application will cover all the work of our immigration solicitors on your immigration application until a decision is made by the Home Office UKVI on your application for switching into a High Potential Individual (HPI) visa. The casework to be carried out by our immigration solicitors in relation to your immigration application will entail the following:

Advice on requirements: Our immigration solicitors will advise you on the relevant requirements you have to meet for your immigration application to succeed.

Advice on documents: Our immigration lawyers will prepare and email you a comprehensive list of supporting documents to submit in support of your application to switch to a High Potential Individual (HPI) visa.

Assessment of documents: Our immigration lawyers will review your documents to ensure that all documents you provide in support of your application comply with the requirements of the immigration rules.

Completing the application form: Our immigration lawyers will complete the relevant application form for your application to switch to a High Potential Individual (HPI) visa.

Submitting application via Priority/Super Priority Service: Where possible, our immigration lawyers will submit your online immigration application through Priority or Super Priority service to obtain a faster decision on your application to switch to a High Potential Individual (HPI) visa.

Booking an appointment with the application centre: After the online submission of your application, our immigration lawyers will book your appointment with the application centre for you to enrol your biometrics.

Preparing a detailed cover letter: Our specialist immigration solicitors will prepare a detailed cover letter in support of your application, explaining how you meet all the legal requirements for approval by the Home Office UKVI.

Uploading documents online: Before the biometrics enrolment date, our immigration lawyers will upload all supporting documents online to support your application to switch to a High Potential Individual (HPI) visa.

Follow-up work: Our immigration lawyers will handle all follow-up until the Home Office UKVI issues a decision on your application to switch to a High Potential Individual (HPI) visa.

Specialist HPI Visa Solicitors

Our immigration solicitors are specialists in High Potential Individual (HPI) visa. As one of the best immigration solicitors, we have an excellent track record of helping clients obtain a High Potential Individual (HPI) visa. Our highly experienced and fully qualified immigration solicitors can provide fast, friendly, reliable, and fixed-fee immigration advice and legal representation for your High Potential Individual (HPI) visa application. 

The high quality of UK visa and immigration legal services provided by our best team of immigration lawyers is self-evident from the 5-star Google Reviews rating by 99% of our clients. Our London-based immigration solicitors are available 7 days a week, 365 days a year, offering unwavering dedication and exceptional legal support for a wide range of UK visa and immigration cases. Our team of highly regarded immigration solicitors brings together more than 6 decades of collective, specialised expertise in successfully handling UK visa and immigration applications.

Meet Our Team of Immigration Solicitors in London

At Premium Solicitors, our strength lies in the expertise, dedication, and unwavering commitment of our immigration solicitors in London. We understand that immigration matters are life-changing events, and our team is here to guide you through every step of the HPI visa process with professionalism and care. 

Our team comprises a diverse group of immigration solicitors, each bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table. We are united by a shared goal: to deliver the highest level of legal support and advocacy tailored to your immigration needs.

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Schedule Your Consultation With Our Immigration Solicitors

Are you seeking expert immigration advice and consultation from our highly experienced and qualified team of immigration solicitors and lawyers in London? It's easy to secure an appointment with our dedicated HPI visa specialists. Our expert team of immigration solicitors and advisors can provide detailed immigration advice and consultation, face-to-face in our offices in London and Birmingham or virtually via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, or Phone. Book your appointment today using the appointment booking link provided below:

• Book An Appointment Online With Our Immigration Solicitors in London

Our immigration lawyers are ready to assist you with your UK visa and immigration matter. Book your appointment today for personalised guidance and support.

Our Fixed Fees For High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa Applications

• Our immigration solicitors will charge a fixed fee ranging from £1,000 + VAT to £1,500 + VAT for your application to switch to a High Potential Individual (HPI) visa. The agreed fixed will depend on the complexity of the application and the volume of work involved in the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa application.
• Our fixed fee for the application does not cover any disbursements, e.g., the UKVI fee for the application, and the applicant must separately pay the Home Office UKVI fees.

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