Graduate Route
The Graduate route opened on 1 July 2021. This replaces the Tier 4 DES route.
Full information from our Student Visa Services Team is available.
Please be aware that when a graduate visa comes to an end it will be important to establish whether the applicant is eligible for another visa type to maintain the right to work. The Staff Immigration Team should be consulted to confirm whether an existing role or new role is sponsorable for a skilled worker visa before the expiry of the graduate visa or an application for a new role is submitted.
High Potential Individual (HPI) visa
From 30th May 2022 international graduates from the most prestigious universities around the world will be able to work in the UK without the need for a job offer. The HPI route will be open to applicants who have graduated from a top global University.
To be eligible the applicant must demonstrate:
To be an eligible university it must have been included in the ‘Global Universities List’ the year the qualification was awarded. The qualification must have been awarded no more than 5 years before the date of application.
The applicant must obtain 70 points and there are no tradeable points.
Further information can be found at High Potential Individual visa: global universities list 2021.
Process
A High Potential Individual visa is granted by the Home Office (UKVI) when:
Should Faculties/Departments/Schools wish to employ an applicant under the High Potential Individual visa route they should contact the Staff Immigration Team at the earliest opportunity.
Last updated 26/5/2023
