High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa

HPI visa for graduates of universities on the annually-updated Global Universities List: 2 or 3-year unsponsored work permission, no dependant restrictions.

Wesbridge Associates is an IAA-regulated UK immigration law firm. Our advisers support individuals, families and UK sponsors with skilled worker visas, sponsor licences, family routes, settlement (ILR), British citizenship, appeals and compliance — combining experienced legal advice with AI-powered self-service tools.

Reviewed by Wesbridge Associates' IAA-regulated immigration advisers. Last updated: July 2026.

The High Potential Individual (HPI) visa is an unsponsored route for recent graduates of top-ranked global universities. It requires no job offer, no sponsor and no minimum salary — you simply need a qualifying degree awarded in the last 5 years from a university on the Home Office's Global Universities List for the year you graduated. Wesbridge Associates advises applicants on the eligible-institutions list, Ecctis degree verification and the switch to Skilled Worker or Global Talent before HPI expires.

Who qualifies

You must (a) hold an eligible qualification — a bachelor's, master's or PhD-level degree — awarded in the 5 years immediately before applying, (b) from an institution on the Global Universities List published by the Home Office for the year you graduated (the list is fixed by graduation year; if your university was on the list in 2020 but not 2024, a 2020 graduate can still apply), (c) have your degree verified by Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) confirming both institution and level, (d) meet English at CEFR B1, (e) hold £1,270 savings for 28 days unless applying in-country with 12+ months of UK residence. No sponsor, no salary threshold, no job offer required.

What the visa allows

The HPI visa is granted for 2 years for bachelor's/master's graduates and 3 years for PhD graduates. You can work in any role at any skill level, be self-employed, run a business, take multiple jobs, or study courses not otherwise available on the Student route. Work as a professional sportsperson is not permitted. HPI time does not count towards ILR — like the Graduate visa it is a standalone bridge, and most holders switch into Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, Scale-up or spouse/partner before it expires. Dependants (partner and children under 18) can be added, and HPI cannot be extended.

How it works with Wesbridge

Step 1 — eligibility list check: we confirm your university appears on the Home Office Global Universities List for the specific year of your award (this is not the same as any current world ranking), and that your award falls within the 5-year window. Step 2 — Ecctis Verification service: we order the Verification service (~£210) which confirms your qualification level and institution — this is mandatory and takes 10-15 working days. Step 3 — application: online form, £822 fee, IHS at £1,035/year paid upfront for the full 2 or 3 years (£2,070 or £3,105), English and savings evidence. Step 4 — biometrics and decision (standard 3 weeks out-of-country, 8 weeks in-country; priority services available). Step 5 — plan the onward switch: we advise on Skilled Worker CoS timing, salary and SOC compliance, or Global Talent/Innovator Founder endorsement well before HPI expires.

The Global Universities List

The Home Office publishes a Global Universities List each calendar year, drawing from a combination of the Times Higher Education, QS and Academic Ranking of World Universities top-50 lists. A university is eligible only for graduates of the year(s) in which it appeared on the list. Institutions on multiple lists in a given year still count once; institutions outside the UK are the focus (UK graduates use the Graduate route instead). Always cross-check your specific graduation year against the archived Home Office list — universities move on and off the list annually.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a job offer or sponsor?

No. HPI is fully unsponsored — no employer, no CoS, no minimum salary. You can arrive, look for work, freelance or start a company.

My university is highly ranked now but wasn't in my graduation year — can I still apply?

No. The Home Office ties eligibility to the Global Universities List for the exact year of your award. Current rankings are not the test. If your university wasn't on the list in your graduation year, you are not eligible via HPI (consider Skilled Worker with a discount, Global Talent or Innovator Founder instead).

Can I extend HPI or use the time for ILR?

No on both counts. HPI is a one-off 2-year (bachelor's/master's) or 3-year (PhD) grant, not extendable, and it does not count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain on any route. You must switch into a settlement-eligible route (Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, Scale-up, spouse/partner) before HPI expires.

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