A1.25 High Potential Individual Visa

High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa – September 2025 Update

Official link: https://www.gov.uk/high-potential-individual-visa

 

Overview

• Purpose: Short-term work visa for      top global university graduates

• No job offer or employer sponsorship required

• Provides flexibility to seek employment/work experience in UK

• Non-extendable – but can      switch to other long-term work visas

 

Eligibility Requirements

All criteria must be met:

University:

• Graduated within last 5 years from university      on UK Home Office's Global Universities List

• List updated annually based on global rankings (THE, QS etc.)

• UK graduates ineligible (apply      for Graduate visa instead)

Qualification:

• Degree equivalent to UK:

• Bachelor's

• Master's

• PhD/Doctorate

• Must obtain Ecctis verification of level and      authenticity

Other Requirements:

• Aged 18+

• English language CEFR B1 level

• Sufficient personal savings

• One-time application only (cannot      hold HPI if previously had UK Graduate visa)

 

Visa Duration & Conditions

Visa Length:

• Bachelor's/Master's: 2 years

• PhD/Doctorate: 3 years

Permitted:

• Most employment

• Self-employment/business

• Job seeking

• Voluntary work

• Study (if course doesn't meet Student visa requirements)

Not Permitted:

• No extensions

• No settlement pathway (time      doesn't count towards ILR)

• Professional sportsperson

• Most public funds

 

Costs & Financial Requirements

Fees:

• Ecctis verification: £252

• Application fee: £880

• Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035/year

• 2-year visa: £2,070 (adult)

• 3-year visa: £3,105 (adult)

Maintenance Funds:

• £1,270 personal savings

• Held for 28 consecutive days before      application

• Exempt if legally resident in      UK for 12+ months

 

Application Process

Two-stage process:

1. Ecctis verification (obtain      reference number)

2. Online visa application

Required Documents:

• Valid passport

• Ecctis verification reference/certificate

• English language proof

• Financial evidence (if required)

• TB certificate (if required)

Processing Times:

• Outside UK: ~3 weeks

• Inside UK (switching): ~8 weeks

 

Dependants

• Eligible: Spouse/civil      partner/unmarried partner/children under 18

• Relationship evidence:      Marriage/birth certificates or 2+ years cohabitation proof

• Additional funds required:

• Partner: £285

• First child: £315

• Each additional child: £200

• Rights: Work (except professional      sport) and study

 

Switching to HPI Visa

Eligible if holding most UK visas except:

• Visitor visa

• Short-term Student visa

• Graduate visa

• Seasonal Worker visa

Student visa holders must:

• Have completed sponsored course OR

• Be PhD students with ≥24 months completed study

⚠️ Cannot leave Common Travel Area while application pending

 

After Visa Expiry

• Cannot extend HPI visa

• Switch to other work visas before      expiry:

• Skilled Worker visa

• Global Talent visa

• Innovator Founder visa