High Potential Individual Visa
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What is the High Potential Individual Visa (HPI)?
The High Potential Individual Visa (HPI) is a UK visa category aimed at attracting graduates from the global universities list. This visa is for highly educated individuals who have completed a degree equivalent to a UK bachelor’s or master's degree, or a PhD from a top global university. The HPI visa allows you to live and work in the UK for up to two years (three years if you hold a PhD) without the need for a job offer.
With this visa, you can work in any field, making it an excellent option for talented individuals looking to kickstart their career within the UK. After the initial period, you may be able to switch to other UK visa routes, such as a skilled worker visa, or even apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) since you are already in the UK, if you meet the necessary criteria.
Who is Eligible for the High Potential Individual Visa?
The HPI visa is available to international graduates who have received their qualifications from a top global university listed by the UK government. To be eligible for the HPI visa, you must:
If you’re a graduate from one of the eligible universities, this visa route is your opportunity to live and work in the UK without needing a specific job offer. Below you can find the list of the universities.
How to Apply for the High Potential Individual Visa
Applying for the HPI visa involves several steps:
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
First, ensure that your university is on the global universities list and that your degree meets the eligibility criteria. If your degree is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher, you qualify to apply for the HPI visa.
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
You will need to submit several documents for your visa application, including:
Proof of your degree (certificate or transcript).
Your English language proficiency (if required).
Passport or travel documents.
Financial proof that you can support yourself during your stay.
Step 3: Submit Your Application
Once you have your documents ready, you can apply for the HPI visa through the UK government’s immigration portal. The application form will ask for personal information, academic background, and the documents mentioned above.
Step 4: Await a Decision
After submission, the UK Home Office will review your application. If your application is successful, you’ll receive your visa and can begin your journey in the UK.
What Are the Visa Requirements for the High Potential Individual Visa?
The HPI visa requires you to meet several criteria, including:
What Are the Benefits of the High Potential Individual Visa?
The HPI visa offers several advantages:
What Universities Are Included in the Global Universities List in 2025?
The global universities list includes top institutions around the world. If your degree is from one of these universities, you are eligible for the HPI visa. Some examples of eligible universities include:
This list of universities relates to qualifications awarded between 1 November 2024 and 31 October 2025.
Alphabetical rankings lists 2024 (establishments from top 50 rankings which appeared on 2 or more lists) | Country |
|---|---|
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | USA |
Columbia University | USA |
Cornell University | USA |
Duke University | USA |
Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL Switzerland) | Switzerland |
ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) | Switzerland |
Fudan University | China |
Harvard University | USA |
Heidelberg University | Germany |
Johns Hopkins University | USA |
Karolinska Institute | Sweden |
Kyoto University | Japan |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | USA |
McGill University | Canada |
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) | Singapore |
National University of Singapore | Singapore |
New York University | USA |
Northwestern University | USA |
Paris Sciences et Lettres - PSL Research University | France |
Peking University | China |
Princeton University | USA |
Shanghai Jiao Tong University | China |
Stanford University | USA |
Technical University of Munich | Germany |
The Chinese University of Hong Kong | Hong Kong |
Tsinghua University | China |
University of British Columbia | Canada |
University of California, Berkeley | USA |
University of California, Los Angeles | USA |
University of California, San Diego | USA |
University of Chicago | USA |
University of Hong Kong | Hong Kong |
University of Melbourne | Australia |
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | USA |
University of Munich (LMU Munich) | Germany |
University of Pennsylvania | USA |
University of Texas at Austin | USA |
University of Tokyo | Japan |
University of Toronto | Canada |
University of Washington | USA |
Yale University | USA |
Zhejiang University | China |
Make sure to check the official global universities list published by the UK government for the most up-to-date information.
UK universities are not eligible. If you’re already in the UK on a student visa you may be able to apply for a Graduate visa.
Apply for High Potential Individual Visa UK with Bekenbey
At Bekenbey, we specialize in helping high potential individuals secure their UK visa even if you are outside the UK or Inside the UK. Our team of expert immigration lawyers will guide you through the entire application process, from checking your eligibility to gathering the required documents. With our professional advice and support, you can maximize your chances of a successful HPI visa application in 2025. We can also help you apply from within the UK for ILR, for more information check out our ILR Page.
Documents Needed
We’ve listed all the key documents required for your visa application to make your process as smooth as possible. Here are some common documents you may need to provide:
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Questions, Answered
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