High Potential Individual Visa

What is the High Potential Individual Visa?

The High Potential Individual Visa, also known as the HPI Visa, is a visa route which allows recent graduates from the top 50 global universities to reside in the UK.

Graduates who were awarded either a bachelor’s or master’s degree will be able to stay in the UK for 2 years, whereas those with a PhD or other doctoral-level qualification can stay for up to 3 years. If you wish to remain in the UK after this period of time, you will be required to switch to another UK visa.

The HPI Visa has been introduced to attract global talent to the UK. By attracting global talent, employers and businesses in the UK can benefit from recruiting a wider range of talent which in turn can boost the UK economy.

Eligibility requirements

To apply for the High Potential Individual Visa, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Graduated from a university which features on the UK Government's list of qualifying universities. The university must have been featured on the list when you graduated (e.g. if you graduated in 2020, to be eligible for the HPI Visa, the university you attended must have been featured on the list in 2020 too).
• Graduated with a qualification which is the equivalent to either a UK bachelor’s degree, a UK postgraduate degree, or a UK PhD or doctorate (this qualification must have been awarded within the last 5 years). You are required to apply to Ecctis to check that the qualification is valid for the HPI Visa.
• Have at least £1,270 in your bank account (unless exempt).
• Read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B1 on the CEFR scale (unless exempt).
• Not have been granted a Graduate visa previously, or have come to the UK as a Doctorate Extension Scheme student.
• Have a valid TB test certificate (if required).

UK HPI Visa - Global Universities List 2023

To be eligible for the UK HPI Visa, you must have graduated from a university which features on the High Potential Individual Visa University List within the last 5 years. It is worth bearing in mind that at the time of graduating, you must have graduated from a ‘top’ university as assessed at that time. The UK High Potential Individual Visa university list for 2023/24 is listed below:

The English Language Requirement

To be eligible for the UK High Potential Individual Visa, you will need to demonstrate that you can read, write, speak and listen to English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR) scale. 

The English language requirements will be met if:

• You are a national of a majority English-speaking country (as recognised by the UK Government).
• You have passed a degree which was taught in English.
• You have obtained a GCSE, A-Level, or Scottish Highers whilst at school in the UK.
• You have met the requirements in a previous successful UK immigration application.
• You have passed a Secure English Language Test (SELT).

The Financial Requirement

Unless exempt, to satisfy the High Potential Individual Visa financial requirement, you will need to have cash funds of at least £1,270 at the time of applying. The purpose of this financial requirement is to show that you will not need to rely on public funds while in the UK.

If you are in the UK and applying to switch to the HPI visa, you will not be required to demonstrate that you meet the HPI visa financial requirement if you have been in the country for at least 12 months.

The High Potential Individual Visa Application Process

How to apply for the HPI Visa

Before you apply for a HPI Visa, you will need to pay for Ecctis to check that your qualification is valid.

Once Ecctis have verified your qualification, you will need to submit an online application which can be made from both outside and inside the UK. At the time of applying, you will need to provide the following:

• A valid passport or another travel document which shows your identity and nationality;

• Evidence that you meet the English language requirement;

• The statement from Ecctis which confirms that your qualification is valid.

In addition to paying the application fee, at the time of applying you will also need to pay the immigration health surcharge. The healthcare surcharge is a compulsory payment of £624 per year which grants you access to a range of NHS services. This payment must be made, even if you plan on taking out private healthcare while in the UK.

After submitting your application, you will be required to attend a biometric appointment at a visa application centre. During this biometric appointment, your fingerprints and photograph will be taken and you will also be required to submit your passport. It is worth noting that certain visa application centres offer the option to retain your passport for a fee.

Once you have attended your biometric appointment at a visa application centre, your application will be forwarded to UK Visas and Immigration for processing.

How much does it cost to apply for a HPI Visa?

The application fee for a HPI Visa is £822. However, there are additional payments which need to be made in regards to the immigration health surcharge and the check by Ecctis. Please see the table below for a full, updated breakdown of UK High Potential Individual Visa (Correct at the time of writing - 4th October 2023).

How long can you stay in the UK with the High Potential Individual Visa?

With a High Potential Individual visa, you can stay in the UK for either 2 or 3 years.

Graduates with a below PhD-level qualification will receive two years leave in the UK, whereas, graduates with a PhD or doctorate qualification are granted three years leave in the UK.

Can you extend the HPI Visa?

No, the UK HPI Visa cannot be extended. If you wish to remain in the UK, you must submit an application to switch to another visa before your current visa expires. Failing to apply for a visa switch before the expiration of your current visa and continuing to stay in the UK will be regarded as overstaying, which can result in significant repercussions.

Switching to the High Potential Individual Visa?

If you are currently in the UK on another visa, you may be eligible to apply to switch to the UK HPI Visa (providing that you meet the eligibility requirements). With that being said, the following individuals are unable to switch to this visa and must instead make an application from outside the UK:

• Visit visa.

• Short-term student visa.

• Graduate visa.

• Parent of a Child Student visa.

• Seasonal Worker visa.

• Domestic Worker in a Private Household visa.
• On immigration bail.
• Given permission to stay outside the immigration rules.

Is the HPI Visa a route to Indefinite Leave to Remain?

The HPI Visa is not a direct route to Indefinite Leave to Remain. This is because the visa cannot be extended, and so, through this visa alone individuals will not be able to build up the continuous residence required for settlement in the UK. 

If you would like to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the future, you will need to switch to a visa which allows you to do so (i.e. the Skilled Worker Visa).

Employment and the HPI Visa

Working in the UK and the High Potential Individual Visa

For the HPI Visa, you are not required to have secured employment in the UK. Once you are in the UK, you have the freedom to work multiple jobs without the need for employer sponsorship. Furthermore, there are no specific minimum salary requirements, although the National Minimum Wage applies. 

However, with that mind you cannot be employed as a professional sportsperson or coach.

Guidance for employers

Employers are not required to sponsor individuals with a High Potential Individual visa in order to recruit them. However, as with all employees, a right to work check is required to be conducted in order to ensure that the individual has the right to work in the UK. When conducting a right to work check on an individual with a HPI visa, you must:

• Obtain the relevant document(s) and share code.
• Check the document (using the online right to work check).
• Make a copy of the documents and the right to work check and mark up the expiry date.