UK High Potential Individual visa

People awarded a qualifying degree by a university on the Global Universities List within the last 5 years.

• Be at least 18

  You must be aged 18 or over on the date of application.

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• Have a degree from a listed university

  The university that awarded your qualification must appear on the Global Universities List for the date you were awarded it; UK universities are not eligible.

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• Have a qualifying degree

  Your qualification must be at the same level as a UK bachelor’s degree, UK postgraduate degree, or UK PhD or doctorate. Ecctis must check that it is valid and at the right level, unless it has already assessed it.

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• Have graduated within 5 years

  You must have been awarded the qualifying degree in the 5 years immediately before your application.

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• Prove your English

  Unless exempt, you must show at least CEFR B2 ability in reading, writing, speaking and listening. The route guidance lists qualifying UK school or degree qualifications, an Ecctis-assessed degree taught in English, or a Secure English Language Test from an approved provider as ways to prove English.

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• Have money to support yourself

  You must have at least £1,270, held for at least 28 days in a row; day 28 must be within 31 days of applying. You do not need to show funds if you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months.

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• Meet the 70-point requirement

  You must be awarded all 70 points: 50 for the Global Universities List degree, 10 for English at B2, and 10 for the financial requirement.

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• Not have used an excluded route

  You must not previously have been granted permission under the Student Doctorate Extension Scheme, as a Graduate, or as a High Potential Individual.

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• Prove your identity

  You must provide a passport or other travel document establishing your identity and nationality, and provide biometrics when required.

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• Get scholarship consent if needed

  If, in the 12 months before applying, you received a government or international scholarship agency award covering both fees and living costs for study in the UK, you must provide that government’s or agency’s written consent to the application.

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• Provide a TB certificate if required

  If the tuberculosis rules apply, an applicant coming to the UK must provide a valid medical certificate confirming screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that it is not present.

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• Meet suitability requirements

  You must not fall for refusal under Part Suitability of the Immigration Rules.

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• HPI application feeResearched just now · being double-checkedSource£880 per person
• Ecctis qualification check, unless already assessedResearched just now · being double-checkedSource£252 once
• Healthcare surcharge, usually, for each year of the applicant’s stayResearched just now · being double-checkedSource£1,035 a year
• Application fee for each dependantResearched just now · being double-checkedSource£880 per family member
• Healthcare surcharge for an adult dependant on a 2-year visaResearched just now · being double-checkedSource£2,070 per family member
• Healthcare surcharge for an adult dependant on a 3-year visaResearched just now · being double-checkedSource£3,105 per family member
• Healthcare surcharge for a dependant child under 18 on a 2-year visaResearched just now · being double-checkedSource£1,552 per family member
• Healthcare surcharge for a dependant child under 18 on a 3-year visaResearched just now · being double-checkedSource£2,328 per family member
• Decision timeThe published outside-UK processing time is 3 weeks. It starts after you verify your identity and submit your application and documents online, or attend a visa application centre to provide biometrics. An application may take longer.About 3 weeks

1. Get ready

   • Check your university

     Find the Global Universities List for the month and year your degree was awarded and check that your university appears on it.

     You’ll need: Degree award details

   • Get your qualification checked

     Pay for an Ecctis assessment of your qualification unless Ecctis has already assessed it.

     You’ll need: Qualification, Ecctis unique person identifier number or certificate

   • Prepare proof of English

     Check whether you are exempt or can use an eligible qualification; otherwise, pass a Secure English Language Test with an approved provider.

     You’ll need: Proof of knowledge of English, if required

   • Prepare your savings evidence

     If you must show funds, hold at least £1,270 for 28 days in a row and ensure day 28 falls within 31 days of applying.

     You’ll need: Evidence of personal savings, if required

   • Gather your documents

     Prepare your travel document and Ecctis identifier or certificate, plus any applicable TB results, scholarship consent or certified translations.

     You’ll need: Valid passport or other travel document, Ecctis unique person identifier number or certificate, TB test results, if required, Scholarship consent, if required, Certified translations, if required

2. Apply

   • Apply online

     Apply within 5 years of your qualifying degree being awarded and no earlier than 3 months before you travel.

     You’ll need: Online HPI visa application

   • Pay the visa charges

     Pay the application fee and healthcare surcharge when you apply.

   • Prove your identity

     Follow the application instructions to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app or provide your fingerprints and photograph at a visa application centre.

     You’ll need: Passport or other identity document, Supporting documents

3. Visa

   • Wait for your decision

     Wait for the decision email and do not book travel to the UK until you have received a decision.

     You’ll need: Decision email

4. Travel

   • Travel after approval

     When you arrive

     Do not travel to the UK before your visa application is approved.

     You’ll need: Approved visa, Travel document

You cannot extend this visa or settle through it, but you may be able to switch to another visa before it expires; time on an HPI visa does not count towards settlement.

• High Potential Individual (HPI) visa: Overview - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
• Visa processing times: applications outside the UK - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
• High Potential Individual (HPI) visa: How much it costs - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
• gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-high-pot…Official
• gov.uk/high-potential-individual-visa/apply-from-outside-the-ukOfficial
• gov.uk/high-potential-individual-visa/eligibilityOfficial
• gov.uk/high-potential-individual-visa/knowledge-of-englishOfficial
• gov.uk/high-potential-individual-visa/documents-you-must-provideOfficial
• gov.uk/high-potential-individual-visa/your-partner-and-childrenOfficial

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.