Switching Into High Potential Individual (HPI) Dependant Visa UK
If you are currently in the UK and meet the requirements outlined in the High Potential Individual (HPI) Appendix, you can apply to switch to a High Potential Individual (HPI) Dependant visa. This process is conducted online via the Home Office UKVI website. Applicants applying as a dependant partner must be 18 years or older on the application date. The application is subject to the regulations specified in the High Potential Individual (HPI) Appendix of the Immigration Rules. You also have the option to use the Priority or Super Priority Service for an expedited decision on your application.
Aden & Co Solicitors are expert UK immigration lawyers who provide top-tier immigration services. The exceptional quality of our visa and immigration legal support is evident in the consistently high 5-star Google Reviews rating, reflecting the satisfaction of 99% of our clients.
Our dedicated team of specialist visa solicitors offers tailored immigration advice and legal representation on a fixed-fee basis, specifically for those seeking to switch to the High Potential Individual (HPI) Dependant visa. Whether you have questions or require in-depth guidance, our team is available for free online advice or to schedule a detailed consultation with one of our skilled immigration lawyers regarding your application.
Which Family Members are Eligible to Switch to the High Potential Individual (HPI) Dependant Visa?
The following family members of a High Potential Individual (HPI) migrant may qualify to switch to the HPI dependant visa:
- Spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner (including same-sex partners) of the High Potential Individual (HPI) migrant.
- Dependent children under the age of 18, who are the biological or legally adopted children of the HPI migrant.
In some cases, dependant children who are over the age of 18 may still qualify if they were previously granted a dependant visa before turning 18 and are now applying to extend their stay.
Eligibility Criteria for Switching to the High Potential Individual (HPI) Dependant Visa
To be eligible to switch to the High Potential Individual (HPI) dependant visa, dependants must meet the following conditions:
Valid Application Submission
Applicants must submit a valid application to switch to the High Potential Individual (HPI) dependant visa from within the UK. The application must comply with all the specific requirements outlined in the High Potential Individual (HPI) Appendix.
Immigration Status Requirements
The applicant, seeking permission to remain as a partner or child of an individual on the High Potential Individual route, must currently be in the UK and must not hold, or have been previously granted, any of the following immigration statuses:
- Visitor
- Short-term Student
- Parent of a Child Student
- Seasonal Worker
- Domestic Worker in a Private Household
- Any status outside the Immigration Rules
Eligibility Criteria for the High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa
To qualify for a High Potential Individual (HPI) visa, applicants must ensure they do not fall under the grounds for refusal outlined in Part 9. Specifically, the applicant must not:
- Violate any immigration laws, with the exception of overstaying, where the period of overstaying may be disregarded as per paragraph 39E.
- Be under immigration bail.
Relationship Criteria for Dependent Partners
For a partner to be considered a dependent under the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa, they must meet the following relationship criteria:
- The sponsor (HPI visa holder) must possess a valid High Potential Individual (HPI) visa.
- Alternatively, the sponsor must be applying for and receiving entry clearance under the High Potential Individual (HPI) route at the same time as the applicant.
In cases where the applicant and their sponsor are not married or in a civil partnership, the following conditions must be satisfied:
- They must have lived together in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for a minimum of two years before the application date.
- Any prior relationship of either the applicant or the sponsor must have ended permanently.
- The applicant and their High Potential Individual (HPI) partner should not be closely related to the point where marriage or civil partnership would be prohibited in the UK.
The relationship between the applicant and their partner must be genuine, subsisting, and they must intend to live together for the duration of the applicant’s stay in the UK.
Relationship Criteria for Dependent Children
To qualify as a dependent child under the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa, the applicant must be the child of the HPI visa holder, with one of the following conditions:
- The sponsoring High Potential Individual (HPI) must hold a valid visa under the High Potential Individual (HPI) route.
- The sponsor must simultaneously apply for and be granted entry clearance or permission under the High Potential Individual (HPI) route.
The parents of the child must meet one of the following requirements:
- Both parents are applying simultaneously or have existing permission to remain in the UK (other than as visitors).
- If the parent applying for entry clearance or permission under the HPI route is the sole surviving parent, or they hold sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing, they may apply independently.
Additionally, if the parent without the High Potential Individual (HPI) status is:
- A British citizen or has unrestricted rights to remain in the UK.
- Is or will be ordinarily resident in the UK.
In cases where one parent holds permission under the High Potential Individual (HPI) route and the other does not, the decision-maker may grant entry clearance or permission to stay if there are serious and compelling reasons for the child to stay with the HPI parent.
For children born in the UK to an HPI visa holder or their partner, a full UK birth certificate, including the names of both parents, is required to confirm eligibility.
Child’s Age and Care Requirements
To apply for a visa, the child must be under 18 years of age at the time of the application, unless they were previously granted permission as a dependent child of their parent(s). For children aged 16 or older, they must not be living independently at the time of application.
For applicants under 18, there must be adequate arrangements for the child’s care and accommodation within the UK. These arrangements must align with the relevant UK laws and regulations to ensure compliance with the necessary standards of care.
Financial Requirements for High Potential Individual (HPI) and Dependants
High Potential Individuals (HPIs), as well as their dependants, must demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves while in the UK. If the applicant has been lawfully residing in the UK for 12 months or more at the time of the application, they will meet the financial criteria and will not be required to show further proof of funds.
For those applicants who have not been in the UK for 12 months or more, the financial requirements for dependants of High Potential Individuals (HPIs) are outlined below:
| Dependent Applicant | Required Funds |
|
Partner of the HPI |
£285 |
|
One child of the HPI |
£315 |
|
Each additional child of the HPI |
£200 |
The required funds must be available for a consecutive period of at least 28 days. Day 28 must fall within 31 days of submitting the visa application.
Terms and Conditions for High Potential Individual (HPI) Dependant Visa Grant
A dependent partner of a High Potential Individual (HPI) seeking to switch to an HPI Dependant Visa will be granted leave to remain, which will expire on the same date as their partner’s HPI status.
For children of High Potential Individuals (HPIs) applying for the HPI Dependant Visa, leave to remain will be granted, expiring on the earliest date of either parent’s visa expiry.
The visa grant will be subject to the following conditions:
- No access to public funds.
- Employment is allowed, including self-employment and voluntary work, but excluding roles as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.
- Study is permitted, with the exception of the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS, applicable to applicants over 18 years of age.
Super Priority Service for Switching to High Potential Individual (HPI) Dependant Visa with Aden & Co Solicitors
At Aden & Co Solicitors, our team of expert immigration professionals, based in London, is fully registered with the Home Office, UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI), and its commercial partners, UKVCAS Sopra Steria. We proudly offer the Super Priority Service for switching to a High Potential Individual (HPI) Dependant Visa. With this service, your dependant visa application can be processed and a decision made within just 24 hours, provided you submit your application through the Super Priority Service.
As experienced dependant visa specialists, we expedite the preparation and submission of your visa application, ensuring a faster resolution. This service eliminates the long wait times that often extend for months, or even years, for dependant visa decisions.
One-Off Service for Fast-Tracking Your Application via Super Priority Service
Our dedicated team of immigration solicitors can assist with a one-off service to fast-track your completed UK visa and immigration application through the Super Priority or Priority Service. This ensures a quicker decision on your UK visa application. We operate under a clear “No Submission, No Fee” policy—meaning that if we are unable to submit your application via Super Priority Service within 48 hours of your payment, we will provide a full refund without any deductions.
We will act on your behalf under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). If we fail to submit your application within the 48-hour window, you will receive a full refund. However, if we successfully submit your application, we will charge a fixed fee of £250 + VAT (£300 including VAT), as per the terms of the Conditional Fee Agreement signed between you and Aden & Co Solicitors.
How We Can Assist You with Your High Potential Individual (HPI) Dependant Visa Application
At Aden & Co Solicitors, our dedicated team of family visa experts offers comprehensive immigration advice and legal representation for your application to switch to a High Potential Individual (HPI) dependant visa. We provide our services on a fixed-fee basis, ensuring complete transparency and no hidden charges. Our solicitors will guide you through every step of the process, handling all aspects of your application until a decision is made by the Home Office UKVI.
The immigration casework for your High Potential Individual (HPI) dependant visa application will include the following key services:
- Expert Guidance on Requirements: Our family visa specialists will provide detailed advice on the specific requirements you must meet for your application to successfully transition to a High Potential Individual (HPI) dependant visa.
- Document Preparation Assistance: We will send you a comprehensive list of documents needed to support your application, ensuring you gather all necessary materials for a smooth process.
- Thorough Document Review: Our immigration solicitors will carefully assess your documents to confirm they meet all the necessary immigration rules, ensuring compliance with the requirements for the High Potential Individual (HPI) dependant visa.
- Completion of Application Form: Our expert team will assist in filling out the appropriate application form for your HPI dependant visa, guaranteeing all information is accurate and aligned with the latest immigration guidelines.
- Priority or Super Priority Service: If applicable, we will submit your application through the Priority or Super Priority Service to expedite the process, ensuring a decision is reached within 24 hours.
- Appointment Scheduling: After your online application submission, we will arrange your appointment at the application centre for biometrics enrolment, a crucial step in the visa process.
- Detailed Cover Letter Preparation: Our experienced solicitors will prepare a robust cover letter to accompany your application, outlining the legal grounds for your HPI dependant visa and ensuring a clear and compelling case for approval by UKVI.
- Document Uploading: Prior to your biometrics appointment, we will upload all necessary supporting documents online for review as part of your application.
- Ongoing Follow-up: We will continue to manage your application, handling all follow-up communications with UKVI until a final decision is made on your High Potential Individual (HPI) dependant visa.
Specialized One-Time Legal Services for High Potential Individual (HPI) Dependant Visa Applications
If you prefer not to engage our comprehensive service package for managing the entirety of your High Potential Individual (HPI) dependant visa application, Aden & Co Solicitors offer a range of tailored, one-off legal services to assist you in the process. Our expert team is equipped to provide professional support for your application at every step. Below is a detailed list of the individual services we offer for switching to an HPI dependant visa:
Fixed Fees for Switching to High Potential Individual (HPI) Dependant Visa
At Aden & Co Solicitors, we offer fixed fees for the application process to switch to the High Potential Individual (HPI) Dependant Visa in the UK, ranging from £800 to £1,500 (exclusive of VAT). The final fee will be determined based on the complexity of your application and the amount of work required. For those who require an expedited decision, we provide a super-priority service, ensuring your application is processed by UKVI within 24 hours.
Please note, our fixed fee does not cover additional disbursements, such as the UKVI application fee. Applicants are responsible for paying these fees directly to the Home Office UKVI.