TookThe British are ready to do anything to attract the crme de la crme of the world’s top schools. According to British daily financial TimesThe UK has launched a visa program for graduates from 50 top schools around the world. His name ? hpi (high potential person, In English). Behind this abbreviation, it is a person of high intellectual caliber who is desired by the British Government.
While Brexit has sent many migrant workers to the United Kingdom, the country is revamping its program to welcome the most qualified foreign professionals under a new name. As of 2008, the “Highly Skilled Overseas Programme” allowed British companies to recruit people with the best global profiles.
In accordance with the first elements provided by the English Executive, this HPI visa should not contain restrictions in terms of nationality. The only condition: the university from which the candidate comes must be among the 50 best in the world. Harvard University or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are thus present in the list published by the British government. Only one French school has been selected from the English government’s highly restricted list. This is the Paris University of Science and Letters (PSL). European universities are few in number, with the list mostly dominated by North America and Asia.
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Visa over 800 euros
Once in your pocket, the HPI visa authorizes a two-year stay on British soil for individuals who have valid licenses or master’s degrees. PhD graduates can last up to three years. Once expired, it will no longer be possible to obtain a permanent visa. The only solution for these migrants is to apply for a more “classic” work permit before the HPI visa expires.
For London, the challenge was to establish a simpler administrative process. Officials are also promising a faster process. The cost of this visa should be 715 pounds sterling (about 840 euros). Applications cannot be started more than five years after the end of studies. In addition, candidates must demonstrate a sufficient level in English to be accepted on their file.
In all likelihood, the UK has no plans to impose a limit on the number of HPI visas issued each year. And for good reason, the conditions for obtaining this new residence permit are extremely “restrictive,” assures the Economic Newspaper. Thus, in fact, it is mainly elite students from the richest countries who can expect to receive this British mole. Especially since daily life in this country is one of the most expensive on the European continent. Also, immigration officials are required to have at least £1,270 in applicants’ bank accounts. The first applications can be sent from May 30, 2022, the British government’s website announced.
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