UK HIGH POTENTIAL INDIVIDUAL VISA

The High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa is designed for recent graduates from top global universities who want to work or look for work in the UK without a job offer. This flexible route opens the door to a wide range of career opportunities.

You may apply if you:

• Hold a non-UK degree equivalent to a UK bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD.
• Graduated within the last 5 years from a university on the Home Office’s approved list.
• Meet English language requirements (CEFR B1 or higher).
• Can prove access to £1,270 in personal savings (unless you’ve lived in the UK for over 12 months).

You cannot apply if you have already held:

• A Graduate Visa
• A High Potential Individual Visa
• A Doctorate Extension Scheme visa

To qualify for the HPI Visa, you must meet the following:

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION:

•  Degree must be awarded in the last 5 years.
• Must be from a university featured on the Home Office’s top university list for your graduation year.
• Qualification must be verified by Ecctis, confirming its UK equivalency.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT:
One of the following must be met:

• Pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT) at CEFR B1 or above
• Hold a degree taught in English (equivalent to UK Level 6+)
• Be from an English-speaking country
• Hold a UK school-level qualification started before age 18

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENT:

• Hold at least £1,270 in savings for 28 consecutive days before applying
• Not required if you’ve been in the UK for 12 months or more

You must have studied at a university included on the Home Office’s list of the top 50 global universities for the year of your graduation. Institutions include:

• Harvard University (USA)
• University of Toronto (Canada)
• ETH Zurich (Switzerland)
• Kyoto University (Japan)
• National University of Singapore (Singapore)

Check the official Home Office list for your graduation year to confirm eligibility.

You will need:

•  Valid passport or ID
• Academic Qualification Level Statement from Ecctis
• English language proof (SELT pass or equivalent)
• Bank statement showing £1,270 in savings
• BRP or immigration documents if applying from within the UK
• TB test results (if required)
• Proof of relationship to dependents (if applicable)

•  Apply to Ecctis to confirm your qualification meets UK standards
• Complete the online visa application
• Pay the visa fee and healthcare surcharge
• Upload your supporting documents
• Provide biometric information via UKVCAS/VAC or the UK Immigration: ID Check app
• Wait for a decision (typically within 3 weeks)

• 3 years: If you hold a PhD or equivalent
• 2 years: For all other eligible degrees

This visa cannot be extended. You must switch to another visa route to remain in the UK beyond the initial period.

You may bring the following dependents:

• Spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner (2+ years together)
• Children under 18, or over 18 if still dependent and living with you

Each dependent must apply separately and show financial maintenance funds:

• £285 for partner
• £315 for first child
• £200 for each additional child

Dependants are not eligible if they are currently in the UK under restricted visa categories (e.g., visitor, short-term student, seasonal worker).

The HPI Visa does not lead directly to ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain). However, you may switch to a visa that does offer a settlement route, such as:

• Skilled Worker Visa 
• Global Talent Visa 
• Spouse or Family Visa 
• Innovator Founder Visa

Once on a settlement route, you may apply for ILR after 2, 3, or 5 years, depending on the visa type. After holding ILR for 12 months, you can apply for British citizenship.

The High Potential Individual Visa is a fast, flexible way to launch your career in the UK. Whether fresh from a world-class university or planning your next move, Cromwell Wilkes ensures your application is handled with care, strategy, and precision.
If you plan to launch, grow, or invest in the UK, expert legal support for your UK work visa application can make all the difference.

Contact us today for personalised legal advice and take the first step toward starting your career in the UK.