The High Potential Individual (HPI) visa is for people who got a qualification from an eligible global university in the last 5 years. It lets you stay in the UK for 2 years, or 3 years with a doctorate. GOV.UK says you do not need a job offer. There is a yearly limit on applications.
Who is this visa for?
It is for people who were awarded a qualification by an eligible university in the last 5 years. The university must not be in the UK.
Can I apply?
You must have been awarded a qualification by an eligible university in the last 5 years. The list of eligible universities is based on rankings of universities around the world. GOV.UK publishes a list for each application year, which runs from 1 November to 31 October. The list that applies is the one for the month and year you were awarded your qualification. UK universities are not eligible.
Your qualification must be at the same level as one of these:
- a UK bachelor’s degree
- a UK postgraduate degree
- a UK PhD or doctorate
You must also:
- apply to Ecctis to check that your qualification is valid and at the right level (Ecctis does not check whether your university is eligible)
- prove your knowledge of English
- prove you have enough personal savings, unless you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months
If you have already been assessed by Ecctis, you can use the certificate from that assessment.
You can only apply once. You cannot apply if you have already been given a Graduate visa or have already come to the UK as a Doctorate Extension Scheme student.
There is a yearly limit on applications. If the limit has been reached, you are told when you apply online.
The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.
What do I need?
A job offer, sponsor or salary
GOV.UK says you do not need a job offer to apply. Its HPI pages list no sponsor or salary.
With an HPI visa you can work in most jobs, look for work, be self-employed and do voluntary work. You cannot work as a professional sportsperson or apply for most benefits (public funds).
English language
You usually need to prove your knowledge of English. You can do this by:
- having a UK school qualification you began under 18: a GCSE, an A Level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, or a Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English
- having a degree-level qualification taught in English and awarded by a UK institution, even if you studied outside the UK
- having a degree from an institution outside the UK that was taught in English, with an assessment from Ecctis confirming it is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher and taught in English
- passing a Secure English Language Test with an approved provider, at level B2 or above on the CEFR scale for reading, writing, speaking and understanding
If you have already proved your English in a previous successful visa application, you may not have to prove it again.
You do not need to prove your English if you are a national of one of these countries or territories:
| Antigua and Barbuda | Australia | The Bahamas |
| Barbados | Belize | The British overseas territories |
| Canada | Dominica | Grenada |
| Guyana | Jamaica | Malta |
| New Zealand | St Kitts and Nevis | St Lucia |
| St Vincent and the Grenadines | Trinidad and Tobago | USA |
How much does it cost?
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ecctis qualification check (includes VAT) | £252 |
| Application fee | £880 |
| Healthcare surcharge, usual rate | £1,035 for each year |
| Healthcare surcharge for a 2-year visa | £2,070 |
| Healthcare surcharge for a 3-year visa | £3,105 |
| Savings to support yourself | At least £1,270 (unless exempt) |
You must have had the £1,270 for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of the day you apply. You do not need to show it if you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months.
GOV.UK says you may be able to get a refund of the healthcare surcharge if you get a job in public sector healthcare after paying it.
How long can I stay?
| Your qualification | Length of visa |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s or postgraduate degree | 2 years |
| PhD or other doctoral qualification | 3 years |
You cannot extend an HPI visa. You cannot apply to settle permanently on this visa. GOV.UK says time on an HPI visa does not count as time in the UK if you apply to settle in the UK.
Once you have applied online, proved your identity and given your documents, you will usually get a decision within 3 weeks from outside the UK and 8 weeks from inside the UK.
Can I bring my family?
Yes. Your partner and children can apply to join you or stay in the UK. GOV.UK calls them dependants. A dependant is:
- your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
- your child under 18, including a child born in the UK during your stay
- your child over 18, if they currently have permission to be in the UK as your dependant
To count as your partner, you must be able to prove one of these:
- you are in a marriage or civil partnership that the UK recognises
- you have lived together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply
- you have been in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply but cannot live together, for example because you work or study in different places, or your culture does not accept it
Your child must live with you, unless they live away from home in full-time education. Your child must not be married or in a civil partnership.
Each family member makes a separate application and pays the visa fee. Their visa will usually end on the same date as yours.
Each family member also needs savings:
| Family member | Savings needed |
|---|---|
| Partner | £285 |
| One child | £315 |
| Each additional child | £200 |
Family members pay the healthcare surcharge when they apply:
| Visa length | Each adult family member | Each child under 18 when you apply |
|---|---|---|
| 2 years | £2,070 | £1,552 |
| 3 years | £3,105 | £2,328 |
Partners and children can work, except as a sportsperson or coach. They can also study. They cannot apply for most benefits or the State Pension.
Can I extend or switch?
You cannot extend an HPI visa. GOV.UK says you may be able to switch to a different visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa. You can switch before your HPI visa expires.
Switching to an HPI visa
To switch to an HPI visa from inside the UK, you must apply within 5 years of being awarded a qualification from an eligible university.
If you are on a Student visa, one of these must also be true:
- you have finished the course you were sponsored to study
- you are studying for a PhD full time and have been for at least 24 months
GOV.UK says you cannot switch to this visa if you are in the UK:
- on a visit visa
- on a short-term student visa
- on a Parent of a Child Student visa
- on a seasonal worker visa
- on a domestic worker in a private household visa
- on immigration bail
- with permission to stay outside the immigration rules
- on a Graduate visa
If you are in any of these groups except the Graduate visa holders, you must leave the UK and apply from abroad.
Switching usually gets a decision within 8 weeks.
Partners and children in those same groups cannot switch to your visa as dependants. A partner or child on a Student visa can only switch if they have finished the course they were sponsored to study, or have studied for a PhD for at least 24 months.
Questions
Do I need a job offer for a High Potential Individual visa?
No. GOV.UK says you do not need a job offer to apply. You must have been awarded a qualification by an eligible university in the last 5 years.
How long does the visa last?
It lasts 2 years, or 3 years if you have a PhD or other doctoral qualification. GOV.UK says you cannot extend it, but you may be able to switch to a different visa.
How much does the visa cost?
The application fee is £880. You also pay £252 (including VAT) for Ecctis to check your qualification. You pay the healthcare surcharge too, which GOV.UK gives as £2,070 for 2 years or £3,105 for 3 years.
Are UK universities eligible?
No. GOV.UK says UK universities are not eligible. If you are already in the UK on a Student visa, you may be able to apply for a Graduate visa instead.
Can I apply more than once?
No. GOV.UK says you can only apply once. You also cannot apply if you have already been given a Graduate visa, or if you came to the UK as a Doctorate Extension Scheme student.
Sources
- High Potential Individual visa (GOV.UK)
- High Potential Individual visa: eligibility (GOV.UK)
- High Potential Individual visa: knowledge of English (GOV.UK)
- High Potential Individual visa: how much it costs (GOV.UK)
- High Potential Individual visa: your partner and children (GOV.UK)
- High Potential Individual visa: switch to this visa (GOV.UK)
Compiled by SWC Editorial Team from the sources above. An information summary, not immigration advice.