High Potential Individual visa
🇬🇧 United Kingdom visas · Business
What it is
An unsponsored work visa for recent graduates of approved top global universities, letting them come to the UK to work, look for work or start a business.
Key facts
- Category
- Business
- Duration
- 2 years (bachelor's/master's); 3 years (PhD); non-extendable
- Processing time
- 3–8 weeks
- Maximum validity
- 3 years
- Extendable
- No
- Path to permanent residence
- No
- Dependants
- Yes
- English requirement
- B2
- How to apply
- Online
- Health insurance
- Not required
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee (application fee (single rate stated))
- GBP 880
- Health surcharge
- GBP 1,035 per year
- Proof of funds (main applicant, held at least 28 days in a row with day 28…)
- GBP 1,270
- Application fee (Ecctis qualification check (includes VAT))
- GBP 252
Key requirements
- Awarded a degree from a university on the Global Universities List in the last 5 years
- Bachelor's or master's (2 years) or PhD (3 years) duration
- Meet English language requirement
- Sufficient personal savings
- Pass identity and character checks
- Apply within the annual cap window
Working on this visa
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 they're eligible; do voluntary work; travel abroad and return to the UK.
Bringing family
Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as your 'dependants' if they're eligible.
Money you must show
main applicant, held at least 28 days in a row with day 28…
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 19 July 2026.