High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa

HIGH POTENTIAL INDIVIDUAL (HPI) VISA

Introduction

The High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa enables eligible applicants to enter and reside in the United Kingdom for a minimum period of two years. The visa grants holders the right to work in most jobs, seek employment, engage in self-employment, and perform voluntary work. Additionally, HPI visa holders are permitted to bring their spouses and children under the age of 18 to the UK with them.

Tenure of visa

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.

Eligibility

To be eligible for HPI Visa, you must have been awarded a qualification by an eligible university in the last 5 years.

United States of America

  • California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

  • Columbia University

  • Cornell University

  • Duke University

  • Harvard University

  • Johns Hopkins University

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

  • New York University

  • Northwestern University

  • Princeton University

  • Stanford University

  • University of California, Berkeley

  • University of California, Los Angeles

  • University of California, San Diego

  • University of California, Santa Barbara

  • University of Chicago

  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

  • University of Pennsylvania

  • University of Texas at Austin

  • University of Washington

  • Yale University

  • University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • Washington University in St Louis

  • Carnegie Mellon University

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Canada

  • McGill University

  • University of British Columbia

  • University of Toronto

Australia

  • University of Melbourne

  • University of Queensland (UQ)

  • Australian National University (ANU)

Hong Kong

  • Chinese University of Hong Kong

  • University of Hong Kong

  • Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Switzerland

  • Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL Switzerland)

  • ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology)

Sweden

  • Karolinska Institute

China

  • Peking University

  • Tsinghua University

  • Zhejiang University

Singapore

  • Nanyang Technological University (NTU)

  • National University of Singapore

Japan

  • University of Tokyo

  • Kyoto University

Germany

  • Technical University of Munich

  • Technical University of Munich (Technische Universität München)

  • Heidelberg University

France

  • PSL Université Paris (Paris Sciences & Lettres)

  • Paris Sciences et Lettres – PSL Research University

Qualification Level:

Your qualification must be at the same level as:

  • A UK bachelor’s Degree

  • A UK postgraduate Degree

  • A UK PhD or Doctorate

Knowledge of English Language:

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:

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, you’ll need to apply through ECCTIS (formerly UK NARIC) for confirmation that your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD.

Maintenance Funds:

Maintenance funds are required to be maintained in the bank account of the main applicant for a consecutive period of no less than 28 days as follow:

  • £ 1,270 for Main Applicant

  • £ 285 for Partner

  • £ 315 for First Child

  • £ 200 for each additional child

Upon approval of the Visa you can

  • Work in most jobs.

  • Seek feasible work.

  • Be self-employed.

  • Live in the UK with your partner and children, if they’re eligible.

  • Do some voluntary work.

  • Travel abroad and return to the UK.

Upon approval of the Visa you can’t

  • Apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension.

  • Work as a professional sportsperson.

  • Extend this visa.

  • Apply to settle permanently in the UK.

FEES

  • ECCTIS Fee: £210 to check your qualification is valid

  • Application Fee: £715 application fee

  • IHS Fee: Health Surcharge (IHS) £624 per year