The world’s top graduates in subjects such as science,
engineering and medical research will be able to bring their
skills to the UK following the launch of a new visa route
targeting graduates from prestigious universities such as
Harvard, MIT, the Karolinska Institute and Kyoto University.
From engineering to cyber security to advanced medical research,
the UK will be able to welcome talented individuals to drive both
economic growth as well as technological and medical advances.
The race to attract the brightest and best international talent
is fierce and inviting talented individuals from international
universities will complement the pool of high achieving graduates
from UK universities.
Chancellor of the Exchequer said:
This new visa offer means that the UK can continue to attract the
best and brightest from across the globe. The route means that
the UK will grow as a leading international hub for innovation,
creativity and entrepreneurship.
We want the businesses of tomorrow to be built here today - which
is why I call on students to take advantage of this incredible
opportunity to forge their careers here.
The UK is already home to some of the most ground-breaking
start-ups, on the forefront of R&D and an incredibly diverse
and exciting place to live - come and join in!
Home Secretary said:
I am proud to be launching this new and exciting route as part of
our points-based immigration system which puts ability and talent
first – not where someone comes from.
This government is delivering for the British people by bringing
in the high skills and talent our country and businesses need.
The UK Government is making the country the best place in the
world for innovative and talented people to live, work and be
successful – and to usher in an unprecedented new era of global
collaboration and innovation. With record levels of investment
into its research base, as well as being home to world-leading
tech companies and four of the world’s top universities, the UK
offers unique opportunities for recent graduates.
The new High Potential Individual route is intended to attract
those at the early stages of their careers, who demonstrate
exceptional promise, providing a highly desirable and able pool
of mobile talent from which UK employers can recruit.
Successful applicants will be given a 2-year work visa (3-year
for those with a PhD) and will be permitted to move into other
long-term employment routes. Great innovation is built from a
diverse workforce and the new route will ensure the UK continues
to nurture talent from around the world.
The visa forms part of a series of changes to the immigration
system after leaving the EU to restore control over our borders,
so that the UK can welcome people based on the skills they have
to offer and the contribution they can make, not where they come
from.
The new points based system is will ensure that the UK is open to
business and continues to be at the forefront of innovation. The
Global Business Mobility route opened on 11 April to simplify and
improve various routes to enable businesses to expand.
Later this year, the Scale-up visa route will follow to ensure
businesses are supported during periods of growth and are able to
recruit talent by enabling them to bring employees to the UK.
