The UK Government has recently introduced a new visa scheme to attract elite university graduates as 'high potential individuals' to work in their country. The initiative has been launched for the Graduates from 50 elite universities, mostly in Asia and the US.

Under the scheme, the interested ones with a Bachelor's or Master's degree can apply for a 02-year work visa. Under the same scheme, the Ph.D. holders are eligible for a 03-year work visa.

To apply for visas in both cases, there is no requirement to secure a job before applying.

British Chancellor Rishi Sunak said, "This new visa offer means that the UK can continue to attract the best and brightest from across the globe". He further added that this scheme will help the UK in growing as a leading international hub for creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

In Europe, the graduates from the following universities are eligible for the scheme:

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  The University of Munich, Germany

  
  


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  ETH Zurich, Switzerland

  
  


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  The Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland

  
  


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  The Karolinska Institute, Sweden

  
  


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  Université Paris Sciences & Lettres, France

  
  

Eligible universities must also be included in the top 50 of at least two of the following rankings:

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  Times Higher Education World University Rankings,

  
  


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  the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings

  
  


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  the Academic Ranking of World Universities (also called the Shanghai Rankings).

  
  

Interested candidates can apply for visas up to 05 years after completing their Graduation.

Other requirements:

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  The candidates must pass a criminal and security background check.

  
  


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  They must be able to speak, listen, read, and write English up to at least B1 Intermediate level i.e. a level offered by the British Council to the candidates possessing 'the necessary fluency to communicate without effort with native speakers'.

  
  


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  The candidates will also be needed to pay £715 for the visa + £624/ year for the immigration health surcharge (under the health surcharge they can benefit from the British healthcare system).