High Potential Individual Visa (HPI)

Live, Work and Build Your Career in the UK as a High-Potential Graduate



The High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa is one of the most flexible UK visas for recent graduates from top global universities, allowing you to live and work in the UK without a job offer or employer sponsorship. Designed to attract the brightest global talent, this route gives you freedom to work for any employer, be self-employed, or explore entrepreneurial opportunities. Our visa experts can help guide you through the whole process.

 

What is the High Potential Individual Visa

The High Potential Individual Visa enables recent graduates from recognised world-leading universities to come to the UK to work, look for work, start a business, or gain professional experience. It is an unsponsored visa route, meaning you don't need a job offer or UK employer sponsorship before applying.

 

Key Benefits of the High Potential Individual Visa

  • Work in the UK Without Sponsorship: Take any job, be self-employed, or volunteer - no employer sponsorship required.
  • No Job Offer Needed: Apply directly based on your degree and eligible university credentials.
  • Bring Your Family: Your spouse/partner and dependent children under 18 may join you, subject to eligibility and separate fees. Unlike the Graduate Visa, which does not allow new dependants to be added unless they were already dependants during the Student Visa stage, the High Potential Individual Visa offers greater flexibility for eligible applicants who wish to relocate with their family.
  • Flexible Career Path: Switch to longer-term visas (e.g., Skilled Worker or Global Talent) if you meet those routes' requirements.
  • Work Everywhere: You are not restricted to work for specific employers or at defined skill levels - you can work in nearly any role.

 

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for an HPI Visa, you must satisfy all of the following:

1. Recent Graduate:

You must have been awarded a recognised qualification (Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD/doctorate) within the last 5 years.

2. Eligible University:

Your qualification must be awarded by a university appearing on the UK Home Office’s Global Universities List for the year of graduation.

From 4 November 2025, the list was expanded to include a broader range of globally top-ranked universities, including those within the world’s top 100, making the HPI route accessible to more high-potential graduates.

However, this expansion was accompanied by the introduction of an annual cap of 8,000 HPI visa approvals. Once the annual quota is reached within the allocation year (1 November to 31 October), further applications will be deferred until the next cycle. This represents a new change, as the HPI route previously operated without a numerical limit.

3. Degree Level:

Your qualification must be equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree or higher (verified through an Ecctis qualification check).

4. English Language Proficiency:

From 8 January 2026, first-time applicants for the HPI visa are required to provide evidence of English proficiency at CEFR Level B2 (upper-intermediate, similar to A-Level standard). Applicants can satisfy this through approved tests (e.g., SELTs), or by having valid qualifications taught in English.

5. Maintenance Funds:

Applicants are usually required to show at least £1,270 in personal savings to support themselves in the UK. These funds must normally be held for a continuous 28-day period, ending no more than 31 days before the visa application is submitted, unless an exemption applies.

No job offer or employer sponsorship is required to apply under this route.

 

Visa Duration

Your allowed stay depends on the qualification level:

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree holders: Up to 2 years.
  • PhD or equivalent doctoral graduates: Up to 3 years.

You cannot extend an HPI visa beyond these limits, but you may switch to another visa route before it expires.

 

Application Process

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Confirm your qualification, university listing, and that your award was within the last 5 years.

Step 2: Get Degree Verified

Apply to Ecctis to confirm your overseas qualification is equivalent to a UK degree and obtain a qualification statement.

Step 3: Complete Online Application

Fill out the visa application on the UK government website and upload documents (passport, Ecctis result, English proof, financial evidence).

Step 4: Submit Supporting Documents

Include valid ID, qualification evidence, and proof of funds as required.

Step 5: Pay Fees & Biometrics

Pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge, then provide fingerprints and a photo.

Step 6: Wait for Decision

Decisions are typically made in a few weeks (varies by location and whether the application is from inside or outside the UK).

 

What You Can Do on an HPI Visa

  • Work in the UK: You can take up employment without sponsorship from a UK employer.
  • Be Self-Employed or Entrepreneurial: You may start your own business or operate independently.
  • Look for Work or Change Jobs: HPI allows flexible movement across industries.
  • Bring Family: Dependants can join under dependent visas (subject to requirements and fees).

Important: HPI visa holders cannot claim public funds in the UK.

 

Visa Fees & Costs

  • Visa Application Fee: £880 (for most applicants) as per official guidance.
  • Ecctis Qualification Check: ~£252 (varies by context).
  • Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): Approx £1,035 per year per person (calculated by length of stay).
  • Dependants: Each dependant (spouse/partner/child) must apply separately and pay their own visa fee and IHS.

 

Switching to Other Visa Routes

While you cannot extend the HPI visa itself, you can switch to a Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder or other eligible routes if you meet their respective requirements before your HPI leave expires.

 

Speak to LNvisa

Every High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa application is assessed on its own facts.

Key factors such as degree award date, Global Universities List eligibility, English language evidence, financial maintenance and annual quota timing can significantly affect the outcome.

LNvisa works with high-potential graduates to provide tailored immigration advice, taking into account academic background, career objectives and long-term plans in the UK.

If you would like professional guidance on an HPI Visa application or wish to assess your eligibility before applying, our team would be pleased to assist.