High Potential Individual Visa

The High Potential Individual (HPI) visa allows foreign nationals who have recently completed a degree-level qualification at a top overseas university to come to the UK to work or look for work. A few key points to keep in mind before applying:

• No job offer is needed to apply
• Applications can be made from inside or outside the UK
• Degrees earned at UK universities do not count towards this route
• Anyone who has completed, or is close to completing, a UK degree should instead look at the Graduate visa or Skilled Worker visa

The scheme launched on 30 May 2022, designed to attract highly capable individuals to help meet the UK's demand for skilled talent.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the HPI visa, applicants must have earned an overseas degree-level qualification within the last five years from a university recognised by the Home Office. In summary, applicants must:

• Hold a qualification equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree, postgraduate degree, PhD, or doctorate, awarded by an eligible non-UK university within the last five years
• Meet the English language requirement at CEFR level B2 or above
• Have sufficient personal savings to support themselves in the UK (waived for anyone who has already been resident in the UK for a year or more)

The HPI visa is not available to anyone who:

• Has previously held an HPI visa (it can only be used once)
• Has previously held a Graduate visa
• Has previously spent time in the UK under the Doctorate Extension Scheme

Qualifying Universities

Applicants must have earned their degree within the five years before applying, from a university that meets or exceeds the standard of a UK bachelor's or postgraduate degree, as assessed by Ecctis. Before applying for the visa itself, applicants must submit their qualification to Ecctis for verification and pay the associated fee. Degrees from UK institutions are not eligible under this route.

The Home Office publishes and updates the list of qualifying universities annually. Migratia recommends always checking the current official list on the Home Office website before applying, and making sure to use the list that applied in the year you graduated, since the list can change from year to year. Below is the 2025 list of qualifying universities.

English Language Requirement

Applicants can satisfy the English language requirement in one of the following ways:

• Passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) at CEFR level B1 or above across speaking, listening, reading, and writing
• Holding a GCSE, A level, or Scottish National/Higher qualification in English, taken at a UK institution before the age of 18
• Holding a degree-level qualification (bachelor's, master's, or PhD equivalent) that was taught in English
• Being a national of an exempt English-speaking country

Financial Requirement

Applicants must show they have at least £1,270 in savings, held for a minimum of 28 days before the date of application. This requirement does not apply to anyone who has already been living in the UK for 12 months or more.

Required Documents

Migratia recommends preparing a thorough set of documents to support an HPI visa application, as UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will expect to see evidence covering each requirement. Typical documents include:

• An Academic Qualification Level Statement from Ecctis confirming your qualification is eligible
• Evidence of meeting the English language requirement (e.g., a SELT pass certificate, or proof of a degree taught in English)
• A bank statement showing £1,270 in savings held for at least 28 days before applying
• A valid passport to confirm identity
• A biometric residence permit (BRP) or other proof of immigration status, if already in the UK
• Evidence of your relationship to any dependent partner or children applying alongside you
• Tuberculosis (TB) test results, if applying from a listed country

This list is not exhaustive — the exact documents required will depend on individual circumstances, and Migratia's advisers can help identify what applies to your case.

How to Apply

The application process generally involves the following steps:

1. Apply to Ecctis to have your qualification verified
2. Complete and submit the online HPI application form
3. Pay the required application fee
4. Book an appointment to provide biometrics — either at a UKVCAS service point (if applying from inside the UK) or a Visa Application Centre (if applying from abroad), or via the "UK Immigration: ID Check" app where available
5. Upload the required supporting documents to UKVI
6. Attend the biometric appointment

Most applicants receive a decision within three weeks.

Visa Length

The HPI visa permits a stay of either two or three years, depending on the level of qualification held. PhD and other doctoral-level graduates can stay for up to three years, while all other degree holders are granted up to two years.

The HPI visa cannot be extended beyond this initial period. Anyone wishing to remain in the UK longer will need to switch to a different visa category, such as the Skilled Worker visa.

Bringing Dependants

HPI visa holders can bring a dependent partner and children to the UK. Eligible dependants include:

• A husband, wife, civil partner, or unmarried partner (unmarried partners must have been in a relationship for at least two years)
• Children under 18
• Children over 18 who remain financially dependent and living with the applicant — this still applies even if the child is away at boarding school, college, or university

Each dependant must apply separately, pay their own application fee, provide biometrics, and meet the relevant requirements, including proof of sufficient funds:

• £285 for a partner
• £315 for one child
• £200 for each additional child

Dependants generally cannot apply if their current UK status is as a visitor, short-term student, parent of a child student, seasonal worker, domestic worker in a private household, or if they are in the UK outside the immigration rules.