To be eligible for a High Potential Individual ( HPI ) visa, you must have been awarded a qualification by an eligible university. Where you studied The list of eligible universities is based on rankings of universities from around the world. Check the list of eligible universities for the month and year you were awarded your qualification: 1 November 2023 to 31 October 2024 1 November 2022 to 31 October 2023 1 November 2021 to 31 October 2022 1 November 2020 to 31 October 2021 1 November 2019 to 31 October 2020 1 November 2018 to 31 October 2019 UK universities are not eligible. If you’re already in the UK on a student visa you may be able to apply for a Graduate visa . Your qualification Your qualification must be at the same level as: a UK bachelor’s degree a UK postgraduate degree a UK PhD or doctorate You must apply to Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) to check your qualification is valid and at the right level . Ecctis will not check if your university is eligible. You must have been awarded your qualification in the last 5 years. Other eligibility criteria To apply for an HPI visa you must also: prove your knowledge of English prove that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK , unless you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months You do not need to have a job offer to apply. You can apply for an HPI visa from inside the UK or outside the UK . You can only apply for an HPI visa once. You cannot apply for an HPI visa if: you have already been given a Graduate visa you have already come to the UK as a Doctorate Extension Scheme student

You’ll usually need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply, unless you did this in a previous successful visa application. Level of English You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale . You can prove your knowledge of English by: passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider having a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained through study at a UK school that you began when you were under 18 having a degree-level academic qualification that was taught in English - if you studied abroad, you’ll need to apply through Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) for confirmation that your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD Who does not need to prove their knowledge of English You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following 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

When you apply for a High Potential Individual ( HPI ) visa, you’ll need to have enough money to: pay £210 for Ecctis to check your qualification is valid (£252 if you’re applying from the UK) pay the £822 application fee pay the healthcare surcharge - this is usually £1,035 for each year you’ll be in the UK support yourself when you arrive in the UK - you’ll usually need to have at least £1,270 available (unless you’re exempt) You’ll be told how much you need to pay when you apply. Healthcare surcharge You’ll have to pay the healthcare surcharge when you apply. If you’re eligible for an HPI visa for: 2 years - it will cost £2,070 3 years - it will cost £3,105 If you work in public sector healthcare If you get a job in public sector healthcare after you have paid the healthcare surcharge, you may be able to get a refund . Money to support yourself You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK. You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa. You’ll usually need to show proof of this when you apply , unless you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months. Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they’re in the UK. Check how much they’ll need . Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.

Documents you'll need to apply

Before you apply, you must pay for Ecctis to check your qualification is valid . When you apply you’ll need to provide: a valid passport or other travel document that shows your identity and nationality proof of your knowledge of English You’ll also need to provide the statement Ecctis sends to you when they’ve checked your qualification. If you had to apply to Ecctis to confirm that your qualification was taught in English, the statement is called an ‘Academic Qualification Level Statement and English Language Proficiency Statement’. Otherwise, it’s called an ‘Academic Qualification Level Statement’. Other documents you might need Depending on your circumstances, you might be asked to provide: your biometric residence permit ( BRP ) or online proof of your immigration status , if you’re switching to this visa from another visa proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they’re applying with you your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a listed country If your documents are not in English or Welsh you’ll also need to provide a certified translation .

Apply from outside the UK

You must apply online for a High Potential Individual ( HPI ) visa. Check which documents you’ll need to apply . There’s a different process if you are already in the UK and are switching to the HPI visa from another visa . When to apply You must apply within 5 years of being awarded a qualification from an eligible university . Proving your identity and providing supporting documents As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have. You’ll either: have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre - this is to get a biometric residence permit use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply. If you do need an appointment: the centre may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application you may have to travel to get to your nearest visa application centre (this could be in another country) Apply for an HPI visa Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later. Start now Continue your application You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it. Find out how to sign in to your account . How long it takes to get a decision Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks. You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because: your supporting documents need to be verified of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction After you apply You can ask to cancel your application . You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application. You’ll get an email containing the decision on your application . This will explain what you need to do next.

You might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to a High Potential Individual ( HPI ) visa if you’re already in the UK on a different type of visa. Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically switch to this visa if you switch yours. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires. You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do. When to apply You must apply within 5 years of being awarded a qualification from an eligible university . If you’re currently in the UK on a Student visa, you must also have either: completed the course you were sponsored to study studied for a PhD for at least 24 months Who cannot apply to switch to this visa You cannot switch to this visa if you’re on a Graduate visa. You cannot apply to switch to this visa if you’re currently 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 because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules , for example on compassionate grounds You must leave the UK and apply for an HPI visa from abroad if you’re in one of these categories. Fees Each person applying will need to pay: the visa application fee the healthcare surcharge for each year of their stay - check how much you’ll have to pay You’ll also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken. There’s no fee for this. If you’ve been in the UK for less than 1 year, you’ll also need to prove you have enough money to support yourself . Proving your identity and providing supporting documents As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have. You’ll either: give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services ( UKVCAS ) service point - this is to get a biometric residence permit use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) account You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply. Apply to switch to an HPI visa You must apply online before your current visa expires. Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later. Start now Continue your application You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it. Find out how to sign in to your account . How long it takes to get a decision You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date. You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because: your supporting documents need to be verified you need to attend an interview of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction After you apply If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) . You can ask to cancel your application . You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application. You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application . This will explain what you need to do next.

High Potential Individual (HPI) visa

Overview

A High Potential Individual (HPI) visa gives you permission to stay in the UK for at least 2 years. To apply, you must have been awarded a qualification by an eligible university in the last 5 years.

How long you can stay

An HPI visa usually lasts for 2 years. If you have a PhD or other doctoral qualification, it will last for 3 years.

If you want to stay longer in the UK

You cannot extend your HPI visa. However, you may be able to switch to a different visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa.

Check you can apply for another type of visa to stay in the UK.

How to apply

You must apply online.

How you apply depends on whether you’re:

outside the UK and are coming to the UK
inside the UK and switching from a different visa

Your partner and children can apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.

How long it takes

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:

3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK

How much it costs

You, your partner or children will each need to:

pay the application fee
pay the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay
prove you have enough personal savings

Check how much money you’ll need.

What you can and cannot do

With an HPI visa you can:

work in most jobs
look for work
be self-employed
live in the UK with your partner and children, if they’re eligible
do voluntary work
travel abroad and return to the UK

You cannot:

apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
work as a professional sportsperson
extend this visa
apply to settle permanently in the UK

If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with an HPI visa.

Studying with an HPI visa

You can only study with an HPI visa if your chosen course is not eligible for a Student visa. If your course is eligible for a Student visa, you can apply for a Student visa instead, or extend your Student visa if you already have one.

You may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if you’re studying or researching sensitive topics.

View a printable version of the whole guide

High Potential Individual (HPI) visa

Overview

How long you can stay

If you want to stay longer in the UK

How to apply

How long it takes

Getting a decision

How much it costs

What you can and cannot do

Studying with an HPI visa

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High Potential Individual (HPI) visa

Overview

How long you can stay

If you want to stay longer in the UK

How to apply

How long it takes

Getting a decision

How much it costs

What you can and cannot do

Studying with an HPI visa

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