We confirm three things upfront: that your university was on the list for your year of graduation, that you have not used a precluding visa, and that you are within the five-year window. Where any of these is uncertain, we resolve it before any further work.
Private Immigration
For recent graduates of leading global universities.
Overview
The High Potential Individual (HPI) visa is for recent graduates of leading global universities who want to live and work in the UK without employer sponsorship.
It gives you a fixed period in the UK: two years if you hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree, three years if you hold a PhD.
During that time you are free to work, change employers or build a business. The route does not lead directly to settlement. However, most people use it as a stepping stone, establishing their UK career on the HPI visa and then switching into the Skilled Worker route or another long-term category once they have a footing.
Key Benefits
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No employer sponsorship or job offer required
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Freedom to work for different employers or be self-employed
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No minimum salary requirement
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Two or three years in the UK, depending on your qualification
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An eligible partner and dependent children can apply with you
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Flexibility to establish your career or business before moving into a longer-term route
Eligibility
Eligibility depends mainly on where and when you graduated, the level of your qualification and your previous UK immigration history.
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Your degree must have been awarded by an overseas university included on the Home Office’s Global Universities List for the relevant period. UK universities do not qualify.Â
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Your qualification must be equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree or PhD. This must be confirmed by Ecctis.Â
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You must apply within five years of the date your degree was formally awarded.
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You cannot apply if you have previously held permission under the HPI route, Graduate route or Doctorate Extension Scheme.
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You must meet the English-language requirement at B2 level. This may be through an eligible qualification taught in English, an approved English-language test, nationality or another accepted method.
How HPI works as a stepping stone
The HPI visa gives you time to establish yourself in the UK before moving into a longer-term immigration category. Because the visa cannot be extended, it is sensible to consider the next route well before it expires. You may use this period to:
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Find a sponsoring employer
UK work experience can make it easier to move into an eligible sponsored role later.
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Progress into a qualifying Skilled Worker role
Some graduate-level salaries may not initially meet the Skilled Worker requirements. Time in employment can allow your role and salary to develop
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Start or develop a business
Self-employment is permitted, which gives you the flexibility to explore a business idea or begin trading.
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Understand the UK market
The route allows you to gain experience of living and working in the UK before deciding on your longer-term plans.
Where applications fall short
The most common HPI issues we see:
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Your university must appear on the list covering the date your degree was awarded, not simply the current list.
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The relevant date is when the qualification was formally awarded, rather than when the course began or teaching ended.
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Ecctis must confirm that the qualification meets the required UK level before the visa application can be completed.
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If you previously held either route, you cannot apply again, even if you did not use the full period of your previous visa.
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The application must be made within five years of the qualification being awarded.
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The three-year visa is available only where the doctoral qualification has actually been awarded. Enrolment on a PhD programme is not enough.
Is this route right for you?
The HPI visa is likely to suit you if:
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You graduated within the last five years from an eligible overseas university
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Your university appeared on the relevant Global Universities List
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You have not previously held an HPI, Graduate or Doctorate Extension Scheme visa
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You want to work or establish yourself in the UK without sponsorship
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You understand that you will need another immigration route if you want to remain longer-term
It is less likely to suit you if your university wasn't on the list for your year of graduation, if you've used a Graduate visa, or if you're looking for a direct path to settlement. In those cases, Skilled Worker (with sponsorship), Global Talent, or other routes may be more appropriate.
How we approach HPI applications
Initial Assessment
Ecctis and Evidence
We assist with the Ecctis equivalence assessment alongside the supporting evidence, so the application can be submitted as a single structured package once confirmation is received.
Application and Submission
We prepare and submit the application, advise on dependants, and track it through to decision.
Long-term Planning
We help you consider the options beyond HPI, including switching into Skilled Worker, Innovator Founder or another route before the visa expires.
Highly Rated By Our Clients
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5-Star
Client-rated
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22+
Years’ experience
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. HPI does not lead to settlement, but you can switch into other routes (most commonly Skilled Worker) that do. Time spent on HPI does not count towards the five-year qualifying period for Skilled Worker settlement.
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Yes. There is no sponsorship requirement and no minimum salary. You can work for any employer, in any role, change jobs freely, or be self-employed.
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Yes, this is the most common transition. You’ll need a sponsoring employer, a CoS, and the role must meet Skilled Worker requirements at the time of switching.
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Only if your university was on the list for the year you graduated. The current list is irrelevant if you graduated several years ago. We confirm this against the published lists at the initial consultation.
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No. Previous use of the Graduate visa precludes HPI eligibility, even if the Graduate visa wasn’t used in full.
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No. HPI is a fixed-term visa and cannot be extended. You must switch routes or leave the UK at the end of the term.
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Yes. A partner and dependent children can apply with you, or join later.
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No. There is no salary threshold on HPI.
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Most successful transitions happen between months 12 and 24, by which point applicants have UK work experience and are typically in roles that meet Skilled Worker thresholds. We advise on the right timing based on your circumstances.
Speak To Us
If you recently graduated from an eligible global university, we can confirm whether you qualify for the HPI visa and help you plan both the application and your longer-term UK options.
What Our Clients Say
Clear, calm advice at the point we needed it most — and there wasn’t a word of jargon in any of it.
Private client
Spouse visa
We were kept informed at every stage and never once had to chase an update. Knowing exactly where the application stood made a difficult year considerably easier to carry.
Private client
Skilled Worker visa
Moving part of our senior team to London looked impossible on the timescale we’d been given. The route was mapped out at the first meeting, the Home Office correspondence was handled end to end, and every application came back granted.
HR Director
Corporate client
Contact Us
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