To be eligible for a High Potential Individual ( HPI ) visa, you must have been awarded a qualification by an eligible university. Where you studied The list of eligible universities is based on rankings of universities from around the world. Check the list of eligible universities for the month and year you were awarded your qualification: 1 November 2024 to 31 October 2025 1 November 2023 to 31 October 2024 1 November 2022 to 31 October 2023 1 November 2021 to 31 October 2022 1 November 2020 to 31 October 2021 1 November 2019 to 31 October 2020 UK universities are not eligible. If you바카라 사이트檙e already in the UK on a student visa you may be able to apply for a Graduate visa . Your qualification Your qualification must be at the same level as: a UK bachelor바카라 사이트檚 degree a UK postgraduate degree a UK PhD or doctorate You must apply to Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) to check your qualification is valid and at the right level . Ecctis will not check if your university is eligible. You must have been awarded your qualification in the last 5 years. Other eligibility criteria To apply for an HPI visa you must also: prove your knowledge of English prove that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK , unless you바카라 사이트檝e been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months You do not need to have a job offer to apply. You can apply for an HPI visa from inside the UK or outside the UK . You can only apply for an HPI visa once. You cannot apply for an HPI visa if: you have already been given a Graduate visa you have already come to the UK as a Doctorate Extension Scheme student

You바카라 사이트檒l usually need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply, unless you did this in a previous successful visa application. Level of English You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale . You can prove your knowledge of English by: passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider having a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained through study at a UK school that you began when you were under 18 having a degree-level academic qualification that was taught in English - if you studied abroad, you바카라 사이트檒l need to apply through Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) for confirmation that your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor바카라 사이트檚 degree, master바카라 사이트檚 degree or PhD Who does not need to prove their knowledge of English You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you바카라 사이트檙e a national of one of the following countries or territories: Antigua and Barbuda Australia the Bahamas Barbados Belize the British overseas territories Canada Dominica Grenada Guyana Jamaica Malta New Zealand St Kitts and Nevis St Lucia St Vincent and the Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago USA

When you apply for a High Potential Individual ( HPI ) visa, you바카라 사이트檒l need to have enough money to: pay 拢210 for Ecctis to check your qualification is valid (拢252 if you바카라 사이트檙e applying from the UK) pay the 拢880 application fee pay the healthcare surcharge - this is usually 拢1,035 for each year you바카라 사이트檒l be in the UK support yourself when you arrive in the UK - you바카라 사이트檒l usually need to have at least 拢1,270 available (unless you바카라 사이트檙e exempt) You바카라 사이트檒l be told how much you need to pay when you apply. Healthcare surcharge You바카라 사이트檒l have to pay the healthcare surcharge when you apply. If you바카라 사이트檙e eligible for an HPI visa for: 2 years - it will cost 拢2,070 3 years - it will cost 拢3,105 If you work in public sector healthcare If you get a job in public sector healthcare after you have paid the healthcare surcharge, you may be able to get a refund . Money to support yourself You must have at least 拢1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK. You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa. You바카라 사이트檒l usually need to show proof of this when you apply , unless you바카라 사이트檝e been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months. Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they바카라 사이트檙e in the UK. Check how much they바카라 사이트檒l need . Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.

Documents you'll need to apply

Before you apply, you must pay for Ecctis to check your qualification is valid . When you apply you바카라 사이트檒l need to provide: a valid passport or other travel document that shows your identity and nationality proof of your knowledge of English You바카라 사이트檒l also need to provide the statement Ecctis sends to you when they바카라 사이트檝e checked your qualification. If you had to apply to Ecctis to confirm that your qualification was taught in English, the statement is called an 바카라 사이트楢cademic Qualification Level Statement and English Language Proficiency Statement바카라 사이트�. Otherwise, it바카라 사이트檚 called an 바카라 사이트楢cademic Qualification Level Statement바카라 사이트�. Other documents you might need Depending on your circumstances, you might be asked to provide: proof you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK , for example bank statements (unless you바카라 사이트檝e been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months) proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they바카라 사이트檙e applying with you your tuberculosis test results if you바카라 사이트檙e from a listed country If you바카라 사이트檙e switching to this visa from another visa, you바카라 사이트檒l also need to provide either: your biometric residence permit ( BRP ) - you can use it for 18 months after the expiry date printed on the card online proof of your immigration status if you have an eVisa -聽 you바카라 사이트檒l need to get a share code If your documents are not in English or Welsh you바카라 사이트檒l also need to provide a certified translation .

Apply from outside the UK

You must apply online for a High Potential Individual ( HPI ) visa. Check which documents you바카라 사이트檒l need to apply . There바카라 사이트檚 a different process if you are already in the UK and are switching to the HPI visa from another visa . When to apply You must apply within 5 years of being awarded a qualification from an eligible university . Proving your identity and providing supporting documents As part of your application, you바카라 사이트檒l need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you바카라 사이트檙e from and what type of passport you have. You바카라 사이트檒l either: use the 바카라 사이트楿K Immigration: ID Check바카라 사이트� app to scan your identity document - you바카라 사이트檒l also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre You바카라 사이트檒l be told what you need to do when you apply. If you do need an appointment: the centre may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application you may have to travel to get to your nearest visa application centre (this could be in another country) Apply for an HPI visa Once you바카라 사이트檝e started your application, you can save your form and complete it later. Start now Continue your application You can sign back into your application if you바카라 사이트檝e saved it. Find out how to sign in to your account . How long it takes to get a decision Once you바카라 사이트檝e applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you바카라 사이트檒l usually get a decision within 3 weeks. You바카라 사이트檒l be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because: your supporting documents need to be verified of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction After you apply You can ask to cancel your application . You바카라 사이트檒l only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application. You바카라 사이트檒l get an email containing the decision on your application . This will explain what you need to do next.

You might be able to apply to change (바카라 사이트榮witch바카라 사이트�) to a High Potential Individual ( HPI ) visa if you바카라 사이트檙e already in the UK on a different type of visa. Your partner or child바카라 사이트檚 visa will not automatically switch to this visa if you switch yours. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires. You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do. When to apply You must apply within 5 years of being awarded a qualification from an eligible university . If you바카라 사이트檙e currently in the UK on a Student visa, you must also have either: completed the course you were sponsored to study studied for a PhD for at least 24 months Who cannot apply to switch to this visa You cannot apply to switch to this visa if you바카라 사이트檙e currently in the UK: on a visit visa on a short-term student visa on a Parent of a Child Student visa on a seasonal worker visa on a domestic worker in a private household visa on immigration bail because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules , for example on compassionate grounds You must leave the UK and apply for an HPI visa from abroad if you바카라 사이트檙e in one of these categories. You cannot switch to this visa if you바카라 사이트檙e on a Graduate visa. Fees Each person applying will need to pay: the visa application fee the healthcare surcharge for each year of their stay You바카라 사이트檒l also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken. There바카라 사이트檚 no fee for this. If you바카라 사이트檝e been in the UK for less than 1 year, you바카라 사이트檒l also need to prove you have enough money to support yourself . Proving your identity and providing supporting documents As part of your application you바카라 사이트檒l need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you바카라 사이트檙e from and the type of passport you have. You바카라 사이트檒l either: use the 바카라 사이트楿K Immigration: ID Check바카라 사이트� app to scan your identity document - you바카라 사이트檒l also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) account give your fingerprints and a photo (biometric information) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services ( UKVCAS ) service point You바카라 사이트檒l be told what you need to do when you apply. Apply to switch to an HPI visa You must apply online before your current visa expires. Once you바카라 사이트檝e started your application, you can save your form and complete it later. Start now Continue your application You can sign back into your application if you바카라 사이트檝e saved it. Find out how to sign in to your account . How long it takes to get a decision You바카라 사이트檒l usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date. You바카라 사이트檒l be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because: your supporting documents need to be verified you need to attend an interview of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction After you apply If you need to change something in your application after you바카라 사이트檝e sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) . You can ask to cancel your application . You바카라 사이트檒l only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application. You바카라 사이트檒l get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application . This will explain what you need to do next.

High Potential Individual (HPI) visa

Overview

A High Potential Individual (HPI) visa gives you permission to stay in the UK for at least 2 years. To apply, you must have been awarded a qualification by an eligible university in the last 5 years.

How long you can stay

An HPI visa usually lasts for 2 years. If you have a PhD or other doctoral qualification, it will last for 3 years.

If you want to stay longer in the UK

You cannot extend your HPI visa. However, you may be able to switch to a different visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa.

Check you can apply for another type of visa to stay in the UK.

How to apply

You must apply online.

How you apply depends on whether you바카라 사이트檙e:

outside the UK and are coming to the UK
inside the UK and switching from a different visa

Your partner and children can apply to join you or stay in the UK as your 바카라 사이트榙ependants바카라 사이트� if they바카라 사이트檙e eligible.

How long it takes

As part of your application, you바카라 사이트檒l need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You바카라 사이트檒l find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you바카라 사이트檝e applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you바카라 사이트檒l usually get a decision on your visa within:

3 weeks, if you바카라 사이트檙e outside the UK
8 weeks, if you바카라 사이트檙e inside the UK

How much it costs

You, your partner or children will each need to:

pay the application fee
pay the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay
prove you have enough personal savings

Check how much money you바카라 사이트檒l need.

What you can and cannot do

With an HPI visa you can:

work in most jobs
look for work
be self-employed
live in the UK with your partner and children, if they바카라 사이트檙e eligible
do voluntary work
travel abroad and return to the UK

You cannot:

apply for most benefits (바카라 사이트�public funds바카라 사이트�)
work as a professional sportsperson
extend this visa
apply to settle permanently in the UK

If your application is successful, you바카라 사이트檒l get a full list of what you can and cannot do with an HPI visa.

Studying with an HPI visa

You can only study with an HPI visa if your chosen course is not eligible for a Student visa. If your course is eligible for a Student visa, you can apply for a Student visa instead, or extend your Student visa if you already have one.

You may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if you바카라 사이트檙e studying or researching sensitive topics.

View a printable version of the whole guide

High Potential Individual (HPI) visa

Overview

How long you can stay

If you want to stay longer in the UK

How to apply

How long it takes

Getting a decision

How much it costs

What you can and cannot do

Studying with an HPI visa

Is this page useful?

Help us improve 바카라 사이트

Help us improve 바카라 사이트

Cookies on 바카라 사이트

High Potential Individual (HPI) visa

Overview

How long you can stay

If you want to stay longer in the UK

How to apply

How long it takes

Getting a decision

How much it costs

What you can and cannot do

Studying with an HPI visa

Related content

Is this page useful?

Help us improve 바카라 사이트

Help us improve 바카라 사이트