High-Skilled Indian Nationals to Benefit from New UK Visa Route

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Known as the ‘high potential individual’ visa, this route may attract more high-skilled Indians to the UK, with the country adopting a more immigration-friendly stance over the past year.

With the global demand high for tech talents, the US has so far led the race, attracting most of these individuals. The new visa program will allow applicants who meet the criteria entry to the country on a work permit without having a valid job offer.

 Individuals will have the flexibility to switch jobs or employers and subject to meeting specific requirements, may also be eligible to extend their visa and settle in the UK.

“The UK government will introduce a new High Potential Individual route to make it as simple as possible for internationally mobile individuals who demonstrate high potential to come to the UK. Eligibility will be open to applicants who have graduated from a top global university. The UK government will explore the scope to expand eligibility to other characteristics of high potential.” said the UK Innovation Strategy document.

Can people come to the UK to study?

There will be no limit on the number of international students who can come to the UK to study.

The new student visa application route allows them to apply six months before they are due to start a course if they are applying from outside the UK.

The government has also launched a graduate visa to allow students who have completed a degree to stay in the UK for two years. This will rise to three years for those who have done a PhD.