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Pathway

UK Work Visa for Top-University Graduates

United Kingdom Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

The High Potential Individual visa lets eligible recent graduates of listed non-UK universities work in the UK without an employer sponsor. Your university must appear on the official list for the month and year of your qualification. Since November 2025, the route has a limit of 8,000 applications each year, running from November 1 to October 31.

Degree
An eligible non-UK university degree awarded within the last 5 years
University
Must be on the official list for the qualification’s month and year
Job offer required?
No; English, funds, and previous-visa restrictions still apply

Summary

The UK High Potential Individual visa is for eligible recent graduates of listed overseas universities, with eligibility tied to the university list for the award month and year and an assessment of the degree’s level. The award must fall within the five-year window; a UK university qualification belongs under other routes.

No employer sponsor is required, but English, funds, annual availability, and previous-visa restrictions apply. HPI is temporary and cannot be extended simply because the holder has not found a longer-term visa option.

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Eligibility

The qualification must have been awarded in the five years before applying, be equivalent to a UK bachelor's, postgraduate degree or doctorate, and come from the applicable year's official list. Ecctis must confirm its level; Ecctis does not decide whether the institution is listed. UK university awards do not qualify.

The applicant needs B2 English and normally £1,270 held for 28 days unless exempt after 12 months with UK permission. No job offer is required. A person can use HPI only once and cannot qualify after holding Graduate or Doctorate Extension Scheme permission.

Match the award date to the correct university list
  1. Check the degree and award date Use the Global Universities List for the exact award month and year and check the five-year qualification window.
  2. Obtain Ecctis confirmation Confirm the qualification level separately from checking that the institution is listed.
  3. Meet the personal requirements Document English, maintenance, and eligibility under the prior-permission and application-cap rules.
  4. Plan the next route If approved Use the temporary grant to qualify independently for a longer-term route before it ends.

A job offer is not required. HPI cannot be extended, and recognition of the degree level does not by itself establish that the university qualifies.

What This Route Allows

Permission lasts two years, or three for a PhD or other doctorate. The holder may work, look for work and be self-employed, but not work as a professional sportsperson. Study is allowed only where Student permission would not be required. Eligible partners and children may accompany and generally can work or study. The application fee is £880 per person; IHS also applies and public funds are barred.

What This Route Is Not

It cannot be extended and does not lead directly to settlement; HPI time does not count toward a five-year points-based settlement clock. Listing of the university today is irrelevant if it was absent from the list covering the award date. Admission before the 8,000 cap is not guaranteed.

Next Steps

  1. Use the official list matching the exact award month and year.
  2. Obtain Ecctis confirmation and the final degree record.
  3. Document B2 English and maintenance before applying.
  4. Plan a switch to Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Scale-up, Innovator Founder or another route before the non-extendable grant ends.

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Sources