New Visa Scheme Allows Graduates to Work in the UK Without a Job Offer
SINGAPORE: Graduates from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) are now eligible to apply for the UK’s new “High Potential Individual” visa, aimed at attracting top global talent early in their careers. This new visa scheme enables these alumni, regardless of their nationality, to live and work in the UK for up to three years.
Unlike other visa schemes, applicants do not need a job offer to apply for this visa. They must have graduated from NUS or NTU within the last five years. Depending on their qualification, graduates can be granted either a two-year work visa (for bachelor’s or master’s degree holders) or a three-year visa (for PhD holders). The scheme also allows dependants to accompany the applicants.
Visa Costs and Requirements
The cost of the visa is £715 (S$1,200), in addition to an immigration health surcharge that grants access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). To qualify, applicants must also demonstrate that they have at least £1,270 (S$2,200) in available funds and pass a security check. A key requirement is fluency in English at the British Council’s B1 intermediate level, which includes the ability to communicate with native speakers without effort.
Eligibility Criteria for Universities
For a university’s graduates to be eligible for this visa, the institution must appear in the top 50 of at least two major global rankings: the Times Higher Education, Quacquarelli Symonds, or the Academic Ranking of World Universities. Both NUS and NTU made the 2021 list, joining universities like Peking University, Tsinghua University, and several leading U.S. institutions.
UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak expressed that the initiative would enhance the UK’s position as a global leader in innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity. He encouraged students to seize the opportunity, stating, “We want the businesses of tomorrow to be built here today.”
