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The United Kingdom’s High Potential Individual (HPI) visa offers recent graduates of top global universities the opportunity to live and work in the U.K.—without needing a job offer or employer sponsorship. Part of the U.K.’s effort to attract international talent, the visa is also valuable to employers looking to stay competitive in both domestic and global markets.
In this guide, we’ll break down what the visa allows, who qualifies, and how to apply. We’ll also explain how the HPI visa supports global mobility and opens doors to long-term career opportunities in the U.K.
What is the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa?
The High Potential Individual visa is an unsponsored U.K. work visa available to recent graduates from select top-ranked global universities. Open to all nationalities, this visa allows individuals to live and work in the U.K. without needing a job offer. HPI visa holders can be employed, self-employed, or volunteer, and entrepreneurs may also use this route to start or run a business.
The visa is typically valid for two years or three years if the applicant holds a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral qualification. While it doesn’t directly lead to indefinite leave to remain (permanent residency), holders may switch to another eligible visa category—such as the Skilled Worker visa—if they meet the requirements.
The main employment restriction is that HPI visa holders cannot work as professional sportspersons or sports coaches. They must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) to access the National Health Service (NHS), but they’re not eligible for most public funds or benefits.
Requirements for HPI visa
To qualify for the HPI visa, applicants must meet the following U.K. immigration requirements:
Degree from a qualifying global university
You’ll need a recently earned bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. from a qualifying non-U.K. university listed on the U.K. government's annually updated list of eligible institutions.
Eligible universities must appear in at least two of the following global rankings:
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- QS World University Rankings
- Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)
As of the current list, valid through October 2025, there are 42 approved universities across Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong (listed separately from mainland China, as is standard in global university rankings), Japan, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States.
- Canada: McGill, University of British Columbia, and University of Toronto
- China: Fudan, Peking, Shanghai Jiao Tong, Tsinghua, and Zhejiang
- France: Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL)
- Germany: Heidelberg, Technical University of Munich, and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU)
- Hong Kong: University of Hong Kong and Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Japan: Kyoto University and University of Tokyo
- Singapore: National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University
- Sweden: Karolinska Institute
- Switzerland: EPFL (Lausanne) and ETH Zurich
- United States: Caltech, Columbia, Cornell, Duke, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, MIT, NYU, Northwestern, Princeton, Stanford, University of California (Berkeley, UCLA, and San Diego), University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Urbana‑Champaign, University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania, University of Texas, University of Washington, and Yale
English language proficiency
You’ll also need to show that you can communicate in English, either by holding a degree taught in English or by submitting a recognized language test result. The HPI visa generally requires a B1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), similar to the requirement for most U.K. work visa standards. Accepted tests include the IELTS for UKVI, TOEFL, and Pearson PTE Academic.
If you studied entirely in English in college—and you can provide documentation—you may not need to take a test. You’re also exempt from the language requirement if you're a national of a country or territory on the U.K.’s approved list, which includes Australia, Belize, Canada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, and the United States.
Financial proof
HPI visa eligibility also requires proving that you can support yourself in the U.K. by having a minimum balance of £1,270 in your bank account for a set period before applying. The account must be in your name—either a sole or joint account, as long as you’re listed on it. Bank statements or equivalent proof of savings are the main forms of evidence, so make sure that they’re clearly dated and show continuous funds.
Valid passport or travel document
You’ll also need a valid passport or equivalent document for your online application. If any part of your passport is unclear or illegible, it may delay processing. If you're switching visas from within the U.K., you'll also need to present your biometric residence permit (BRP) or digital status code (used to prove immigration status online).
Identity, criminal, and immigration checks
You and any dependents must complete standard background screenings to confirm that you’re free of immigration restrictions. This includes a criminal record screening, verification of your immigration status, and—if required for your country—submission of a U.K.-mandated tuberculosis (TB) test.
How to apply for an HPI visa
- Confirm your degree is eligible through Ecctis: Use the U.K.’s Ecctis service to verify that your school and qualification appear on the most current list of HPI global universities.
- Complete the online application form: Visit the U.K. government’s visa portal and fill out the High Potential Individual visa application, including personal details, education history, and your intended dates of stay
- Submit biometric information (via app or visa center): Schedule a visit or upload details via the U.K. Immigration ID Check app to submit fingerprints and photos.
- Upload documents and pay all required fees: Attach your degree certificate, passport, proof of financial support, and any necessary health or identity documents, and pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge, a fee that grants access to the U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS).
Application costs
- Ecctis qualification check: £210 (outside the U.K.) / £252 (inside the U.K.)
- Application fee: £880
- Healthcare surcharge: £1,035 per year
Processing times
- Outside the U.K.: Approximately three weeks
- Inside the U.K.: Up to eight weeks
What happens after the HPI visa expires?
The High Potential Individual visa is not extendable. Once your two or three years are up (depending on your degree level), you must switch to another U.K. visa category if you want to remain in the country.
Fortunately, the HPI visa serves as a launchpad for other U.K. work visas. Many holders use their time in the U.K. to gain experience, build a professional network, and secure longer-term opportunities. The key is to plan ahead—your ability to remain in the U.K. depends on meeting the eligibility requirements for a new visa before your HPI permission expires.
For HPI visa holders wanting to stay in the U.K., the most common next step is to apply for one of the following:
- Skilled Worker visa: If you receive a job offer from a licensed U.K. employer that meets salary and eligibility thresholds, you can apply for a Skilled Worker visa. It offers one of the most direct routes to permanent residence, with eligibility after five years.
- Global Talent visa: You may be eligible for the Global Talent visa if you have exceptional talent or promise in fields like academia, technology, the arts, or research. Although competitive, this visa offers significant flexibility and a fast track to permanent residence.
- Scale-up visa: If you’re hired by a U.K.-based scale-up company that meets government criteria, you can apply for the Scale-up visa. It’s one of the quicker, more flexible ways to work in high-growth sectors such as tech and finance.
- Innovator Founder visa: If you plan to start a business in the U.K., you may be eligible for the Innovator Founder visa. To qualify, your business idea must be scalable and endorsed by a U.K.-recognized body—an organization authorized to assess and support innovative ventures. This visa can lead to permanent residence if you meet specific growth milestones.
Connect with global-ready talent
The HPI visa opens a unique opportunity for employers to tap into a pool of highly educated candidates who are already eligible to work in the U.K. HPI visa holders bring exceptional academic credentials, making them ideal hires for companies in the U.K. looking to scale quickly and be among the most competitive.
Oyster’s Talent Network helps you connect with top-tier professionals worldwide, whether you’re hiring locally or across borders. With Oyster’s talent mobility support, your team can focus on growth while we help manage visa processes and cross-border hiring needs.
If you’re looking to discover global talent and hire compliantly across borders, Oyster gives you the tools and support to scale confidently. From helping you build a distributed team to serving as your employer of record (EOR), Oyster makes it simple to grow your workforce—without the red tape.
About Oyster
Oyster is a global employment platform designed to enable visionary HR leaders to find, engage, pay, manage, develop, and take care of a thriving distributed workforce. Oyster lets growing companies give valued international team members the experience they deserve, without the usual headaches and expense.
Oyster enables hiring anywhere in the world—with reliable, compliant payroll, and great local benefits and perks.
