Imogen Simpson

Following the UK government’s announcement of a new High Potential Individual visa category for graduates of top global universities in July 2021, there has been a great deal of speculation within the world of immigration law about who exactly will be eligible for the visa and what this could mean for people who were previously unable to apply under the Graduate visa category. However, the new rules in the statement of changes released on 15 March 2022 have left some people wondering whether the category will live up to expectations.

Under the new rules those hoping to qualify under the High Potential Individual category must have graduated from one of the universities included on a list of the top 50 ranked global universities within the last five years. To the disappointment of many, the universities included are largely from countries which are arguably viewed as the most ‘developed’, with nearly half of the universities being in the USA and many countries not appearing on the list at all.

Another disadvantage is that, unlike the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme and the Tier 1 (General) category, the High Potential Individual category will not be a route to settlement.

It is not all bad news, as those who find their university on the list and successfully apply under the new category will be able to enjoy the freedom of being on an unsponsored route, meaning they will not be tied to any particular job.

As well as needing to have graduated from a top global university, applicants will need to meet an English language requirement and a financial requirement to be eligible as a High Potential Individual. Those who hold a PhD or another doctoral level qualification will be granted a period of leave of 3 years, whilst those who hold other degree qualifications will be granted a period of 2 years.

Applications under the new category can be made from 30 May 2022.

If you require immigration advice in relation to the above, we can help. Please contact us on 020 7401 6887 or by email at contact@gryklaw.com.

As of 11 October 2021, the Home Office have introduced a new visa route for professional sportspeople and coaches entitled the International Sportsperson visa. This will be replacing the previous Tier 2 Sportsperson and Tier 5 Sporting and Creative Worker categories for sportspeople, and combining them into one category to make applications more straightforward.

The key requirements an individual will need to meet to obtain a visa under this category are as follows:

they must be 16 years of age or older;
they must have an endorsement from their Governing Body confirming that they are internationally established at the highest level and will make a significant contribution to the development of their sport at the highest level in the UK (the list of approved sporting bodies can be found under Appendix Sports Governing Bodies: Immigration Rules Appendix Sports Governing Bodies – Immigration Rules – Guidance – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk));
they must have been assigned a valid Certificate of Sponsorship by their sponsor;
they must satisfy the financial requirement; and
they must meet the English language requirement if applying for a period of leave that is longer than 12 months.

This will be a route to settlement, and dependants will be able to apply under this visa category in line with the main applicant.

This visa allows the visa-holder to undertake work for their national team, should their national team be in the UK for a competition, as well as provide expert guest commentary for sporting events.

The introduction of this singular visa route for professional sportspeople and coaches is a welcome simplification of the application process and guidance for those in the sporting profession. Furthermore, it will allow for Creative Workers to fall under its own distinct route, in recognition of how different the two sectors are.

For more information on the requirements for this visa category please see the Home Office’s guidance: Immigration Rules Appendix International Sportsperson – Immigration Rules – Guidance – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If you require immigration advice in relation to the above, we can help. Please contact us on 020 7401 6887 or by email at contact@gryklaw.com.

The High Potential Individual visa – will the new category live up to the excitement?

The new International Sportsperson visa