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High Potential Individual Visa

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government.

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Can I apply for the UK Skilled Worker visa?

We can help you. It’s what we do.

Overview

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government. This UK work visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. This category is for all foreign nationals who have been offered a skilled job to fill a gap in the workforce which cannot be filled by an already settled worker in the UK. There are a number of complex scenarios which should be discussed and explored in detail before you can apply.

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government. This UK work visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. This category is for all foreign nationals who have been offered a skilled job to fill a gap in the workforce which cannot be filled by an already settled worker in the UK. There are a number of complex scenarios which should be discussed and explored in detail before you can apply.

International Sportspersons visa

This category is for highly skilled sportspersons who must be recognised by a governing body as an elite sports person or a sports coach. The applicant must demonstrate that their employment in the UK will encourage the sport to become more elite and prominent in the UK.

To apply for ILR you must have spent continuous period of 5 years in the UK and must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. You must also meet the English language requirement, pass the Life in the UK test and meet the salary threshold requirement of at least £35,800.

Indefinite leave to remain

The skilled worker visa lasts for up to five years. If you want to stay longer, you can apply to extend your, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements. After five years, you may also be entitled to apply for indefinite leave to remain, which gives you the right to live, work and study in the UK for as long as you like. You must apply to extend or update your skilled work visa UK if you change jobs or employer.

To apply for ILR you must have spent continuous period of five years in the UK and must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. You must also meet the English language requirement, pass the Life in the UK test and meet the salary threshold requirement of at least £25,600 per year.

What is a High Potential Individual Visa?

This visa is specifically designed for recent graduates of top global universities who are looking to come to the UK to work or seek employment. This is an attractive prospect for fresh graduates, as it allows them to apply without the need for a job offer, or a Home-Office approved sponsor in the UK.  

It is also a flexible type of visa, as it allows high-potential individual visa-holders to work full-time at any skill level and in any type of job. Like other work routes, high potential visa-holders may be accompanied by a spouse or partner, and any dependent children under 18, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. Additionally, as there is no requirement for employer sponsorship, the visa offers a less costly and administratively heavy route for UK employers to recruit and manage overseas talent.  

How to apply for the High Potential Individual Visa?

An application is submitted online. The applicant will be required to pay the relevant fees and submit the necessary documents to support their application. Depending on their circumstances, they may be asked to attend an appointment to submit their biometric data.  

The supporting documents required, may include for example a valid passport, proof of their English language ability and proof of funds, where applicable.  

How much does a High Potential Individual Visa application cost?

To apply for this visa route, there will be a required application fee of £822, along with additional fees like £624 for the healthcare surcharge, fees for ECCTIS to validate your qualifications and at least £1,270 saved to demonstrate that you are self-sufficient for your stay in the UK. These are details that we are happy to discuss with you in more depth, should you require further clarification.  

How long is the High Potential Individual Visa valid for?

If your application for a High Potential Individual Visa is approved, the period of permission you are granted will depend on the qualification that you relied on to meet the Global Universities List overseas degree criteria: 

  • PhD or other doctoral level qualification – 3 years 
  • All other degree qualifications – 2 years 

Unfortunately, this route does not lead to settlement in the UK however, before your leave expires, you may be able to apply from within the UK to switch into another immigration route that does enable settlement – for example, the Skilled Worker route.  

How can I apply to include my dependants as part of my High Potential Individual Visa?

This visa can be joined or accompanied by a dependent partner over the age of 18 and dependent children under the age of 18. As part of their respective application, they will need to prove their relationship to you as your dependent. For instance: 

  • If your partner is applying as your dependent, they will need to provide evidence of your partnership that’s recognised in the UK and that you’ve been cohabitating for at least two years when you apply. 
  • If your child is applying as a dependent, they must live with you unless they’re living away from home in full-time education (boarding school or university). You will need to provide evidence of their address, such as a bank statement, driving licence or an official letter from their university or college. 

How long does a High Potential Individual Visa application take to process?

The High Potential Individual Visa launched recently, in May 2022. Generally, UK work visas can take around 3 weeks to be processed overseas, or 8 weeks for in-country applications. However, please note that the UK Visa application process might continue to be subject to delays due to pandemic backlogs. Not to mention, as part of your application you may need to prove your identity, which will require you to book an appointment – it is recommended that you allow extra time for this when considering the processing time of your application.  

How can Bridge Partners Immigration help?

Our team of legal experts can assist graduates of top global universities to work and live in the UK. We can ensure that your personal as well as career goals are met. We pride ourselves on being approachable and proactive in understanding and meeting our clients’ needs. For more advice on the options available to you and to discuss your eligibility, please do not hesitate to contact us today.  

Frequently Asked Skilled Worker visa​ Application Questions

Someone can be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa if they have a job offer from a sponsoring company in the UK for a job that is on the list of skilled worker occupations. In addition, the skilled worker must have the required skills and experience to undergo the role in the company and have the required level of English language ability.   

The minimum salary for the Skilled Worker visa is either £25,600 per year, £10.10 per hour or the “going rate” for the particular occupation code, whichever is highest. For each job on the Home Office occupation list, there is a “going rate” which details the recommended annual and hourly salary that an individual must earn for the role. The rates are based on a 39-hour week of work. Those applying for the Skilled Worker visa need 50 points to do so. These are gained from sponsorship, skill level and English language requirements. However, 20 further tradable points can be given to those that meet the minimum salary requirement. 

You cannot move to the UK without a job offer from a company that has a UK sponsor licence, unless you apply for the Global Talent visa where this is not a requirement. When you are applying for a Skilled Worker visa you must provide a certificate of sponsorship reference number which proves that you have a job offer and therefore permission to work in the UK with a registered sponsor.  

The general Skilled Worker visa requirements are that you must have a job offer from a company that is a UK-registered sponsor and have a certificate of sponsorship that confirms that you have permission to work in the UK within a specific job role. You must be paid the required minimum salary for the occupation, have the required skill level and English language ability to do the job and have enough funds to support yourself in the UK.   

Once all the correct documentation has been submitted, it takes around 3 weeks for an application for a Skilled Worker visa to be processed by the Home Office when applying outside of the UK. For applications within the UK, the standard processing time is 8 weeks, although this can take around 9 weeks on average.  

For the Skilled Worker visa, you will need to provide a valid passport and proof that you have a job in the UK with details about your job role, salary, and employer information. You will also need the reference number for your certificate of sponsorship which proves that you have an approved job offer with a registered UK sponsor. In addition, you will need to provide bank statements that show you are able to support yourself in the UK and proof of the required qualifications needed for the role such as an English language test and degree certificate.

Yes, you can study whilst on a Skilled Worker visa. There is no restriction on the number of hours you can study as long as it does not interfere with your work. Another requirement is that workers who study must first get an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate for their studies and present it to the education provider.  

Skilled Workers are not allowed to run their own businesses.