High Potential Individual visa
Official name: High Potential Individual (HPI) visa
A 2-year visa (3 years for a PhD) for recent graduates of top-ranked universities outside the UK. No job offer is needed. The degree must have been awarded in the last 5 years by a university on the government's list for the year of award. The visa cannot be extended and does not lead to settlement, but holders can switch to other routes such as Skilled Worker. Places are capped each year (1 November to 31 October).
Entry restrictions apply to 1 passports for United Kingdom
The government has suspended some or all visas for holders of these passports. Exceptions exist; see the source.
- Afghanistan
AfghanistanSource: GOV.UK - Visa brake: changes to the UK visa systemSource: UK Parliament - Written ministerial statement HCWS1379, 5 March 2026Source: GOV.UK - Explanatory memorandum to the Statement of Changes in the Immigration Rules HC 1691, 5 March 2026
Life in United Kingdom
Finance
3
Currency
British Pound
GBP
British Pound
Cost of living
92
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
20–45%
Income tax (national)
VAT 20% · social security 8%
Personal allowance GBP 12,570 (tapered away above GBP 100,000); 40% from GBP 50,271 and 45% above GBP 125,140. Scotland sets different bands and rates.
Living
1
Happiness
#27 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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Who it’s for
Graduates of eligible top global universities (outside the UK) within 5 years of graduating.
Eligibility
Qualification
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou need a UK bachelor's, postgraduate degree or PhD level qualification awarded in the last 5 years.
- Ecctis can confirm it is valid and at the right level
Official wording
A qualification at the level of a UK bachelor's, postgraduate degree or PhD, awarded in the last 5 years. Ecctis can confirm it is valid and at the right level.
Eligible university
Sign in to check this route against your profileYour qualification must come from a university on the Home Office list for the period of the award.
List periods (1 November to 31 October)
- First list
- 2020-21
- Latest list
- 2025-26
- UK universities are not eligible
Official wording
The university must be on the Home Office list for the period of the award (lists run 1 November to 31 October, from 2020-21 to 2025-26). UK universities are not eligible.
Annual cap
Sign in to check this route against your profileApplications are capped for each application year, which runs 1 November to 31 October.
- If the limit is reached, you are told when you apply online
Official wording
Applications are capped per application year (1 November to 31 October); if the limit is reached, applicants are told when they apply online.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement
- Document checklist
- Fees
The full requirements are for members
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- 2 more requirements
- 4 documents
- 3 fees
- 4 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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Official sources
Other routes to United Kingdom
- Visit & tourismElectronic Travel Authorisation
- StudyStudent visa
- Skilled migrationGlobal Talent visa
- 3 more routes with Premium
Work permits in other countries
- GrenadaGrenada Work Permit (Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens (Employment) Act, Cap. 115)
- GeorgiaGeorgia right to work (labour activity permit) with work residence permit or D1 visa – labour migration rules in force from 1 March 2026
- GuernseyGuernsey Employment Permit (immigration) with Population Management permit
- 3 more routes with Premium
