London wants to attract the most qualified profiles, explains the Financial Times. Only the best schools will be able to obtain this pass.
The British are desperate to attract the best of the best from the world’s top schools. According to the British daily Financial Times, the United Kingdom has launched a visa program for graduates of the world’s 50 best schools. The name? HPI (High Potential Individual). Behind this acronym, it is indeed individuals with high intellectual potential who are sought by the British government.
While the Brexit has caused many expatriate workers to flee to the UK, the country is relaunching under a new name its program for welcoming the most qualified foreign professionals. Until 2008, the “Highly Skilled Migrant Program” then allowed British companies to recruit people with the best global profiles.
According to the first elements provided by the British executive, this HPI visa should not have any restrictions in terms of nationalities. The only condition is that the university from which the candidate comes must be among the 50 best in the world. The list published by the British government includes Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Only one French school has been selected in the very restricted list of the British government. It is the University of Paris Sciences & Lettres (PSL). The number of European universities is very low, the list being dominated by North America and Asia.
According to the first elements provided by the British executive, this HPI visa should not have any restrictions in terms of nationalities. The only condition is that the university from which the applicant comes must be among the top 50 in the world. The list published by the British government includes Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Only one French school has been selected in the very restricted list of the British government. It is the University of Paris Sciences & Lettres (PSL). The number of European universities is very low, as the list is dominated by North America and Asia.
A visa for more than 800 euros
Once in pocket, the HPI visa allows a two-year stay on British soil for individuals who have validated a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Those with a PhD could stay for three years. Once expired, obtaining a permanent visa will not be possible. The only solution for these expatriates is to apply for a more “traditional” work permit before the HPI visa expires.
For London, the challenge was to set up a simplified administrative process. The authorities also promise a faster process. The cost of this visa should be 715 pounds sterling (about 840 euros). Applications will not be accepted more than five years after the end of the studies. In addition, applicants will need to demonstrate a sufficient level of English to be accepted.
In all likelihood, the UK has no plans to put a cap on the number of HPI visas issued each year. And for good reason, the conditions for obtaining this new residence permit are extremely “restrictive”, says the business newspaper. Thus, in fact, it is mainly students from the elites of the richest countries who can hope to obtain this British sesame. Especially since daily life in this country is one of the most expensive on the European continent. At the same time, the immigration services require that applicants have at least 1,270 pounds sterling in their bank account. The first applications can be sent from May 30, 2022, announces the website of the British government.
