High Potential Individual (HPI) visa

Printable version

1. 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:

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:

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.

2. Eligibility

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:

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 . 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:

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

3. Knowledge of English

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 .

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 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

4. How much it costs

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.

5. Documents you'll need to apply

Before you apply, you must .

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:

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.

6. 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.

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.

7. Your partner and children

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

If your partner or child바카라 사이트檚 application is successful, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours. If a child바카라 사이트檚 parents have visas with different expiry dates, the child바카라 사이트檚 visa will end on the earlier date.

A dependant partner or child is any of the following:

  • your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
  • your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay
  • your child over 18 if they currently have permission (바카라 사이트榣eave to enter바카라 사이트� or 바카라 사이트榣eave to remain바카라 사이트�) to be in the UK as your dependant

You바카라 사이트檒l need to provide evidence of your relationship to your dependant when you apply.

Your partner

You must be able to prove one of the following:

  • you바카라 사이트檙e in a civil partnership or marriage that바카라 사이트檚 recognised in the UK
  • you바카라 사이트檝e been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply
  • you바카라 사이트檝e been in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply but you cannot live together, for example because you바카라 사이트檙e working or studying in different places, or it바카라 사이트檚 not accepted in your culture

If you바카라 사이트檙e not living together, you바카라 사이트檒l need to prove that you have an ongoing commitment to each other, for example by providing evidence that you:

  • communicate regularly with each other
  • support each other financially
  • care for any children you have together
  • spend time together as a couple, for example on holiday or at events

Your child

They must:

  • live with you, unless they바카라 사이트檙e living away from home in full-time education - for example, at boarding school or university
  • not be married or in a civil partnership

You바카라 사이트檒l need to provide evidence of their address, such as:

  • a bank statement
  • credit card bills
  • driving licence
  • NHS registration document
  • an official letter from their university or college

Money they need to support themselves

Your partner and children must have a certain amount of money available to support themselves while they바카라 사이트檙e in the UK.

You - or your partner or child - will need:

  • 拢285 for your partner
  • 拢315 for one child
  • 拢200 for each additional child

Example

You - or your partner or child - would need to have 拢600 to bring your partner and one child with you to the UK (拢285 for your partner and 拢315 for your child).

You would also need to have 拢1,270 available to support yourself for your own application.

You - or your partner or child - will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of you or them applying for this visa.

You바카라 사이트檒l usually need to show proof of this when they apply, unless either:

  • you have all been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months
  • your employer can cover your family바카라 사이트檚 costs during your first month in the UK - this must be confirmed on your certificate of sponsorship

If your partner or child is applying at a different time to you, they바카라 사이트檒l only need to prove they have enough money to support themselves if they have been in the UK for less than 1 year.

Healthcare surcharge

Each family member will have to pay the healthcare surcharge when they apply.

If you바카라 사이트檙e eligible for a High Potential Individual (HPI) visa for 2 years, it will cost:

  • 拢2,070 for each adult family member聽
  • 拢1,552 for each child aged under 18 at the time you apply

If you바카라 사이트檙e eligible for a HPI visa for 3 years, it will cost:

  • 拢3,105 for each adult family member
  • 拢2,328 for each child aged under 18 at the time you apply

If one of your family members works in public sector healthcare

If one of your family members gets a job in public sector healthcare after they have paid the healthcare surcharge, they may be able to get a refund.

Apply from outside the UK

Your partner and children must either:

Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee. They must apply before they travel to the UK.

They바카라 사이트檒l also need your application number - you바카라 사이트檒l get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You바카라 사이트檒l find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

Proving their identity

As part of an application, your partner and children will need to prove their identity.

They바카라 사이트檒l either:

  • use the 바카라 사이트楿K Immigration: ID Check바카라 사이트� app to scan their identity document - they바카라 사이트檒l also create or sign in to their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
  • have their fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a聽visa application centre

They바카라 사이트檒l be told what they need to do when they apply.

If they do need an appointment:

  • the visa application centre may need to keep their passport and documents while they process their application
  • they may have to travel to get to their nearest centre (this could be in another country)

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they바카라 사이트檝e applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they바카라 사이트檒l usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

Apply from inside the UK (switch their visa)

If you switch your visa, your partner or child바카라 사이트檚 current visa will still be valid until its original end date. Your partner or child need to apply to switch their visa, either:

  • at the same time as you
  • at any time before their current visa expires

This includes children who have turned 18 during your stay.

Your partner or children cannot apply to switch to your HPI visa as your dependants if they are currently in the UK:

If your partner or child is currently in the UK on a Student visa, they can only switch if they have either:

  • completed the course they were sponsored to study
  • studied for a PhD for at least 24 months

How to apply

The application form will tell you if you can include your partner and children in your application or whether they need to apply separately.

If your partner or child apply separately, they바카라 사이트檒l need to either:

They바카라 사이트檒l need your application number - you바카라 사이트檒l get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You바카라 사이트檒l find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

Proving their identity

As part of their application, your partner and children will need to prove their identity.

They바카라 사이트檒l either:

  • use the 바카라 사이트楿K Immigration: ID Check바카라 사이트� app to scan their identity document - they바카라 사이트檒l also create or sign in to their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
  • have their fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point

They바카라 사이트檒l be told what they need to do when they apply.

They must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until they get a decision. Their application will be withdrawn if they do.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they바카라 사이트檝e applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they바카라 사이트檒l usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

Children born in the UK

If you have a child while you바카라 사이트檙e in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen.

You must apply for your child바카라 사이트檚 dependant visa if you want to travel in and out of the UK with them.

The form you fill in depends on if:

You바카라 사이트檒l need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.

You must apply for their dependant visa before they turn 18 if they want to stay in the UK.

What your partner or child can and cannot do

Your partner or child can:

  • work, except as a sportsperson or coach
  • study
  • travel abroad and return to the UK

They cannot apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension.

If their application is successful, they바카라 사이트檒l get a full list of what they can and cannot do.

8. Switch to this visa

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:

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:

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.

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.