£880

Visa Fee

2-3 Years

Duration

80 Unis

Eligible

No Sponsor

Required

The High Potential Individual Visa UK (HPI visa) offers graduates from the world's top universities a unique pathway to live and work in the UK without needing a job offer or employer sponsorship. This comprehensive guide covers the complete Global Universities List for 2026 (now expanded to 80 institutions), updated requirements including the new B2 English language standard effective January 2026, current fees, and the application process. Whether you graduated from Harvard, ETH Zurich, or the University of Melbourne, find out if you qualify for this flexible work visa route.

Table of Contents

What is the High Potential Individual Visa?
HPI Visa Global Universities List 2026
HPI Visa Requirements 2026
HPI Visa Fees and Costs
Ecctis Qualification Verification
After Your HPI Visa: Switching Options
Frequently Asked Questions

High Potential Individual Visa UK: Complete Guide 2026

The High Potential Individual Visa UK is an unsponsored work route introduced in 2022 to attract exceptional graduates from globally recognised universities to the UK. Unlike the Skilled Worker visa, the HPI visa does not require a job offer or employer sponsorship, giving graduates complete flexibility to find employment, start a business, or become self-employed upon arrival in the UK.

Critical: Major HPI Visa Changes in 2025-2026 Three significant changes affect HPI visa applicants: (1) From 8 January 2026, the English language requirement increases from B1 to B2 level; (2) The Global Universities List has expanded from ~40 to 80 universities (effective 4 November 2025, applied retroactively); (3) An annual cap of 8,000 applications has been introduced for the first time. Plan your application accordingly.

High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa: A UK work visa for graduates from top-ranked global universities (outside the UK) who completed their degree within the last 5 years. It allows holders to work, be self-employed, or start a business for 2 years (or 3 years for PhD holders) without sponsorship.

What Can You Do on an HPI Visa?

Quick Answer

HPI visa holders can work for any employer without sponsorship, become self-employed, start a business, do voluntary work, and undertake short courses. You can bring your partner and children as dependants. You cannot work as a professional sportsperson or access public funds.

The HPI visa is a strategic UK initiative to attract global talent post-Brexit. It offers graduates the freedom to explore career opportunities, gain UK work experience, or establish businesses without the constraints of employer sponsorship. However, the visa has a fixed duration and cannot be extended—applicants must plan their long-term UK immigration strategy from the outset.

HPI Visa Global Universities List 2026: Which Universities Qualify?

Quick Answer

The HPI visa Global Universities List for 2025-2026 includes 80 universities across 15 countries. Your university must appear on the list for the academic year you graduated. The list is based on institutions ranking in the top 50 of at least two of these rankings: Times Higher Education, QS World University Rankings, and Academic Ranking of World Universities.

In November 2025, the Home Office significantly expanded the Global Universities List from approximately 40 to 80 institutions. Crucially, this expansion was applied retroactively to previous years, meaning graduates from newly added universities may now qualify even if their institution wasn't on the list when they graduated. You must check the specific list for your graduation year at the official gov.uk Global Universities List page.

Global Universities List 2025 by Country (80 Universities)

Below is the complete list of eligible universities for qualifications awarded between 1 November 2025 and 31 October 2026. US institutions dominate with 36 universities, followed by China (7), Australia (7), and Hong Kong (5):

United States (36 Universities)
Boston University • Brown University • California Institute of Technology (Caltech) • Carnegie Mellon University • Columbia University • Cornell University • Duke University • Harvard University • Johns Hopkins University • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
New York University (NYU) • Northwestern University • Princeton University • Purdue University - West Lafayette • Stanford University • The University of Texas at Austin • University of California, Berkeley (UCB) • University of California, Irvine • University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) • University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
University of California, Santa Barbara • University of Chicago • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign • University of Michigan-Ann Arbor • University of Minnesota, Twin Cities • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill • University of Pennsylvania • University of Southern California • University of Washington • University of Wisconsin-Madison • Vanderbilt University • Washington University in St Louis • Yale University

Country	Eligible Universities
Australia (7)	Australian National University (ANU), Monash University, University of Melbourne, University of New South Wales (UNSW), University of Queensland, University of Sydney
China (7)	Fudan University, Nanjing University, Peking University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tsinghua University, University of Science and Technology of China, Zhejiang University
Hong Kong (5)	City University of Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, University of Hong Kong
Canada (3)	McGill University, University of British Columbia, University of Toronto
Germany (4)	Heidelberg University, Technical University of Munich, University of Bonn, University of Munich (LMU Munich)
France (4)	Institut Polytechnique de Paris, PSL University, Sorbonne University, Université Paris-Saclay
Sweden (4)	Karolinska Institute, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Lund University, Uppsala University
Switzerland (3)	EPFL - Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, ETH Zurich, University of Zurich
Netherlands (3)	Delft University of Technology, University of Amsterdam, University of Groningen
Japan (2)	Kyoto University, University of Tokyo
Singapore (2)	Nanyang Technological University (NTU), National University of Singapore (NUS)
South Korea (2)	Seoul National University, Yonsei University
Belgium (1)	KU Leuven
Denmark (1)	University of Copenhagen

Important: UK universities are not eligible for the HPI visa. If you graduated from a UK institution, you should apply for the Graduate visa instead.

HPI Visa Requirements 2026

Quick Answer

To qualify for an HPI visa, you need: a degree from an eligible university awarded within the last 5 years, English language proficiency at B2 level (from 8 January 2026), £1,270 in savings for 28 consecutive days, and you must not have previously held an HPI, Graduate visa, or Student Doctorate Extension Scheme visa.

The HPI visa uses a points-based system requiring 70 points across three categories. Meeting each requirement awards specific points that must total 70 for a successful application:

Category	Points	Requirement
Qualification	50	Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD from eligible university (within last 5 years)
English Language	10	B2 level (from 8 Jan 2026) or B1 (before 8 Jan 2026)
Financial	10	£1,270 held for 28 consecutive days
Total Required	70	All three requirements must be met

What is the English Requirement for HPI Visa in 2026?

Critical: B2 English Requirement from 8 January 2026 From 8 January 2026, new HPI visa applications must demonstrate English at CEFR Level B2 (upper intermediate), up from the previous B1 requirement. This means IELTS scores of at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, speaking, listening), compared to the previous 4.0. Plan your application timing and English language test accordingly.

You can meet the English requirement without taking a SELT test if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country (USA, Canada, Australia, etc.), your degree was taught in English (Ecctis can verify this), or you've already demonstrated B2 level in a previous UK visa application.

Quick Checklist: HPI Visa Eligibility

Degree from eligible university awarded within last 5 years
University on Global Universities List for your graduation year
Qualification equivalent to UK bachelor's, master's, or PhD
English at B2 level (from 8 Jan 2026) or B1 (before)
£1,270 in savings for 28 consecutive days
No previous HPI, Graduate visa, or Doctorate Extension Scheme
Aged 18 or over

HPI Visa Fees and Costs 2026

The total cost of an HPI visa application includes the visa fee, Ecctis verification, Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), and maintenance funds. See our comprehensive guide to UK visa fees for all visa categories.

Fee Type	Amount (2026)	Notes
Application Fee	£880	Per person
Ecctis Verification	£210 / £252	Outside UK / Inside UK (includes VAT)
IHS (2-year visa)	£2,070	£1,035 per year × 2 years
IHS (3-year visa/PhD)	£3,105	£1,035 per year × 3 years
Maintenance Funds	£1,270	Required in bank (28 days)

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): A mandatory fee paid by visa applicants to access NHS healthcare during their stay in the UK. The standard rate is £1,035 per year. If you later get a job in public sector healthcare, you may be eligible for a refund.

Total HPI Visa Cost Example

2-year visa (Bachelor's/Master's): £880 + £210 + £2,070 = £3,160 (plus £1,270 maintenance)
3-year visa (PhD): £880 + £210 + £3,105 = £4,195 (plus £1,270 maintenance)
Dependant applications: Same fees apply per person

Ecctis Qualification Verification for HPI Visa

Before applying for an HPI visa, you must have your qualification verified by Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC). This is the UK's national agency for qualification recognition. Ecctis will confirm whether your overseas degree is equivalent to a UK bachelor's, master's, or PhD and verify the date your qualification was awarded.

Key Information: Ecctis Does Not Check University Eligibility Ecctis only verifies that your qualification is genuine and at the correct level. It does not check whether your university appears on the Global Universities List. You must verify your university's eligibility separately by checking the official Home Office list for your graduation year.

If you have already received Ecctis verification for a previous UK visa application, you can use your existing certificate—you do not need to apply again.

After Your HPI Visa: Switching Options

The HPI visa cannot be extended and does not lead directly to settlement (ILR). Time spent on an HPI visa does not count toward the 5-year qualifying period for settlement. However, you can switch to another visa category before your HPI visa expires:

Skilled Worker visa: If you find a job with a licensed sponsor meeting salary/skill requirements
Scale-up visa: For roles at recognised UK scale-up companies
Global Talent visa: If you gain endorsement in science, arts, digital technology, or academia
Innovator Founder visa: If you start an innovative business with endorsement

Key Takeaways: High Potential Individual Visa UK

80 universities now qualify (expanded November 2025, applied retroactively)
B2 English required from 8 January 2026 (IELTS 5.5 minimum)
Total cost: approximately £3,160 for 2-year visa, £4,195 for 3-year PhD visa
8,000 annual application cap (November to October)
Cannot extend—plan your switching strategy before the visa expires

For official information and to start your application, visit the gov.uk High Potential Individual visa page. Standard processing takes approximately 3 weeks when applying from outside the UK. For information on processing times, see our guide to UK visa processing times after biometrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which universities qualify for the HPI visa UK?

The HPI visa Global Universities List for 2025-2026 includes 80 universities across 15 countries. Eligible institutions include Harvard, MIT, Stanford, ETH Zurich, University of Melbourne, Peking University, and National University of Singapore. Your university must appear on the list for the academic year you graduated—lists are published annually by the Home Office.

What is the IELTS requirement for HPI visa 2026?

From 8 January 2026, HPI visa applicants must demonstrate English at CEFR Level B2, requiring IELTS scores of at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, speaking, listening). This is an increase from the previous B1 requirement (IELTS 4.0). Nationals of majority English-speaking countries or those with English-taught degrees may be exempt.

How much does the HPI visa cost in 2026?

The HPI visa application fee is £880. Additional costs include Ecctis verification (£210-252), the Immigration Health Surcharge (£2,070 for 2 years or £3,105 for 3 years), and maintenance funds of £1,270. Total cost for a 2-year visa is approximately £3,160, or £4,195 for a 3-year PhD visa.

Can I extend my HPI visa?

No, the HPI visa cannot be extended. It is a fixed-term visa of 2 years (for Bachelor's/Master's graduates) or 3 years (for PhD holders). You can only apply for an HPI visa once. Before your visa expires, you must either leave the UK or switch to another visa category such as Skilled Worker, Global Talent, or Innovator Founder.

Does the HPI visa lead to permanent residence in the UK?

No, the HPI visa does not lead directly to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain). Time spent on an HPI visa does not count toward the 5-year qualifying period for ILR. However, if you switch to a Skilled Worker or Global Talent visa before your HPI expires, that time will count toward settlement eligibility.

What is Ecctis and why do I need it for HPI visa?

Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) is the UK's national agency for recognising international qualifications. Before applying for an HPI visa, you must obtain an Ecctis statement confirming your degree is genuine and equivalent to a UK bachelor's, master's, or PhD. The fee is £210 (outside UK) or £252 (inside UK). Note that Ecctis does not verify if your university is on the eligible list.

Is there a cap on HPI visa applications?

Yes, from November 2025, an annual cap of 8,000 HPI visa applications has been introduced. The application year runs from 1 November to 31 October. If the cap is reached, applications will be rejected as invalid until the next year opens. However, with approximately 2,000 applications in recent years, the cap is unlikely to be reached immediately.

Can I bring my family on an HPI visa?

Yes, you can bring your partner and children (under 18) as dependants on an HPI visa. Each dependant must apply separately and pay the same visa fee (£880) and Immigration Health Surcharge. Dependants can work in any job without restrictions and can study. Additional maintenance funds may be required for dependants.