High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa

The UK High Potential Individual (HPI) visa is designed for recent graduates from top global universities who wish to live, work, or look for work in the UK after completing an eligible course equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher.

This visa also allows applicants to bring a dependent partner and dependent children.
However, it is important to note that the HPI visa does not lead to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) in the UK.

Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the HPI visa, you must:

• Meet the Global Universities List requirement — your degree must be confirmed by Ecctis as equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher, and your university must appear on the Home Office’s Global Universities List.
• Provide a clear tuberculosis (TB) test certificate if you have lived in a country listed in the Immigration Rules for more than 6 months prior to your application.
• Demonstrate English language proficiency at B1 level or above in reading, writing, listening, and speaking (unless exempt).
• Meet the financial requirement by showing that you have held at least £1,270 for a continuous 28-day period prior to your application, unless you have been living in the UK for at least 12 months by the application date.

Application Conditions

• You must not fall under any of the general grounds for refusal set out in the Immigration Rules.
• If applying from within the UK, you must not be in breach of immigration rules or on immigration bail.

Visa Duration
If your application is successful:

• You will be granted 3 years of permission to stay if your qualification is at PhD or doctoral level.
• You will be granted 2 years of permission to stay for all other degree qualifications.

Rights and Restrictions
While holding an HPI visa, you are permitted to:

• Work in most jobs
• Look for employment
• Study
• Volunteer

However, you cannot:

• Access public funds
• Work as a professional sportsperson

Additionally, if you are 16 years or older and either a national of a country listed in the Immigration Rules, a stateless person, or a holder of a non-national travel document, you must register with the police upon arrival in the UK.