High Potential Individual (HPI) visa

To be eligible for the HPI visa, you must have been awarded a qualification by an eligible overseas (non-UK) University at the same level as:  

• a UK bachelor’s degree
• a UK postgraduate degree
• a UK PhD or doctorate 

The overseas qualification must have been awarded within the five years before the date of visa application. At the time your qualification was awarded, the awarding institution must have been on the appropriate Global Universities List: 

Global Universities List 

You must apply via Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) to confirm academic level validity.  

If your Ecctis qualification service is successful, you will be given a code to confirm that the qualification presented:

• is comparable to a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD degree level qualification in the UK
• has been confirmed as genuine by the awarding institution

You need to enter this code in your visa application.

However, if your Ecctis qualification service is unsuccessful, you will not get a code for your visa application. If this happens, Ecctis cannot refund the cost of the qualification service.

The  Ecctis qualification service may be unsuccessful because:

• your qualification is not genuine
• your awarding institution did not confirm your qualification as genuine within 20 working days
• your qualification is not eligible

Qualification Service (QLS) | Ecctis

To apply for an HPI visa you must also: 

• Prove your knowledge of English at level CEFR B1 (you will meet this if you have been previously granted with a Student visa to study with us)
• Prove that you have held a minimum of £1270 in your bank account for at least 28 consecutive days prior to application. You do not need to show funds if you have been in the UK with a valid visa for 12 consecutive months prior to the date of application.
• You may also need to submit a valid Tuberculosis (TB) certificate if you have lived in a country that requires TB testing
• Not have previously been granted a Graduate visa, Student Doctorate Extension Scheme, or a High Potential Individual visa.

Immigration Rules – Appendix English Language  

Gov. UK: tuberculosis test 

You can apply for a HPI visa from your country of nationality or from the UK.

You can only apply for a HPI visa once, and it must be made online. 

You cannot apply if you have already been granted a Graduate visa or a Doctorate Extension Scheme (old visa route).  

Student visa holders switching to a HPI visa from inside the UK must meet the validity visa requirement. If you’re currently in the UK on a Student visa and want to apply for a HPI, you must also have either:

• completed the course you were sponsored to study, OR
• studied for a PhD programme for at least 24 months

The UKVI caseworker will normally determine whether you have already completed your course by checking whether your student visa CAS course end date has passed. If you choose to apply before your CAS course end date, you need to provide your results transcript as evidence of 'course completion'. 

PhD students may apply once they have completed 24 months or more of their course on a Student visa. This duration is counted from the student visa CAS start date up until the HPI visa application date. 

High Potential Individual (HPI) visa: Student switching rules inside UK

HPI visa costs 

The HPI visa will be granted for:  

• 2 years, if you are relying on an undergraduate or master’s degree to apply
• 3 years, if you are relying on a PhD/doctorate-level qualification to apply 

The HPI visa does not lead to settlement and cannot be extended. You may be able to switch to another immigration route if you are eligible.  

Study: you cannot study with a Student sponsor on a course that would meet the requirements of the Student visa route    

Work: HPI visa holders can stay in the UK to work or look for work. You can work in any position and at any level provided you do not work as a professional sportsperson or coach. If you are switching from a Student visa, you must abide by these visa conditions until your HPI is granted.  

Public funds: HPI visa holders cannot access UK public funds 

Family members: if your family members are eligible, they may be able to apply as dependants.  

HPI visa dependants