High Potential Individual Visa

The UK High Potential Individual (HPI) visa allows recent graduates of the world's top-ranked universities to live and work in the United Kingdom without a job offer or employer sponsorship. Introduced in May 2022, it targets graduates of non-UK institutions that appear on the annually published Global Universities List — universities ranked in the top tiers across at least two of three major ranking systems (Times Higher Education, QS, and Shanghai/ARWU). The visa can only be obtained once per lifetime and does not lead to settlement, so holders must switch to another eligible route before expiry to remain in the UK.

• Degree from a university on the Global Universities List, awarded within the past 5 years
• Degree must be equivalent to a UK bachelor's, master's, or doctoral qualification (verified by Ecctis)
• English language at CEFR B2 level (raised from B1, effective January 2026)
• Minimum GBP 1,270 in personal savings held for 28 consecutive days (waived if applicant has held UK permission for 12+ continuous months)
• Must be aged 18 or over
• Must not have previously held a Graduate visa or Doctorate Extension Scheme permission
• UK university graduates are not eligible (they should apply for the Graduate visa instead)

The B2 English requirement can be met via a Secure English Language Test (SELT), a degree taught in English, UK school qualifications (GCSE, A Level, or Scottish equivalents), or nationality of one of 18 exempt English-speaking countries (including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the USA). Existing holders who were granted permission at B1 retain B1 for extensions.

The list is published annually by the Home Office and includes approximately 120 non-UK universities across 20+ countries. Major institutions include Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Caltech, ETH Zurich, Tsinghua, Peking, University of Tokyo, NUS Singapore, and University of Melbourne. The applicable list depends on when the degree was awarded, not when the application is submitted. The list was approximately doubled in November 2025. The Secretary of State now has discretionary power to exclude institutions on national security or foreign policy grounds.

• Valid passport or travel document
• Ecctis unique person identifier number or certificate (GBP 252 including VAT)
• Proof of English language ability at CEFR B2
• Bank statements showing GBP 1,270 held for 28 consecutive days (unless exempt)
• TB test results if applying from a listed country
• Certified translations for documents not in English or Welsh

• Application fee: GBP 880 per person (main applicant and each dependant)
• Ecctis qualification assessment: GBP 252 (including VAT)
• Immigration Health Surcharge: GBP 1,035/year (GBP 2,070 for 2-year visa; GBP 3,105 for 3-year visa)

The visa lasts 2 years for bachelor's or master's degree holders and 3 years for PhD or doctoral degree holders. It cannot be extended or renewed. Holders who wish to remain in the UK must switch to another eligible visa route (such as Skilled Worker or Global Talent) before expiry.

Time spent on the HPI visa does not count toward Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement). Holders must switch to a settlement-eligible route before the visa expires to begin accumulating qualifying residence.

Spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners (with a 2+ year relationship), and children under 18 may apply as dependants. Financial requirements for dependants: GBP 285 for a partner, GBP 315 for the first child, and GBP 200 for each additional child, held for 28 consecutive days. Each dependant pays GBP 880 plus the Immigration Health Surcharge. Dependants can work (except as professional sportsperson) and study. Dependant visas expire on the same date as the main applicant's visa.

Holders may work in any capacity (employed or self-employed), study, or volunteer. The sole employment restriction is professional sports. No access to most public funds.

Standard UK tax rules apply. Holders become UK tax residents if they meet the Statutory Residence Test thresholds (183+ days in the UK per tax year).

Applicants first pay Ecctis (GBP 252) to verify that their qualification meets UK degree standards and was awarded by a university on the Global Universities List. After receiving confirmation, they apply online via GOV.UK, providing supporting documents and paying the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge. Identity is verified through the UK Immigration: ID Check smartphone app (for biometric passport holders) or at a biometric appointment at a visa application centre. Processing takes approximately 3 weeks from outside the UK or 8 weeks when switching from within the UK.

From November 2025, the HPI route is subject to an annual cap of 8,000 applications, running from 1 November to 31 October each year. The route may close mid-year if capacity is reached, and applicants are notified during the online application if this occurs.

• January 2026: English language requirement raised from CEFR B1 to B2 (transitional provision: existing B1 holders retain B1 for extensions)
• November 2025: Eligible institutions list approximately doubled; annual cap of 8,000 applications introduced
• November 2025: Secretary of State gained discretionary power to exclude universities from the Global Universities List on national security or foreign policy grounds