UK High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa Calculator

An HPI visa normally lasts 2 years for qualifying bachelor’s or postgraduate degree holders and 3 years for holders of a PhD or other doctoral qualification. The route cannot be extended.

The Home Office publishes a Global Universities List annually. It consists of eligible non-UK universities that appear within the top 100 of at least 2 of 3 specified global ranking systems, subject to any Home Office exclusions. The relevant list is the one associated with the month and year in which your qualification was awarded (for example, the 1 November 2025 to 31 October 2026 list period).

Applicants generally need English at CEFR level B2 in reading, writing, speaking and listening unless an exemption applies. An overseas degree taught in English can be used with an Ecctis assessment, while other applicants may use an approved Secure English Language Test. Ecctis can also verify that the overseas qualification is genuine and equivalent to the required UK degree level.

The current HPI application fee is £880. A new Ecctis assessment normally costs £252 including VAT. The Immigration Health Surcharge is usually £1,035 per year, so it is £2,070 for a 2-year HPI visa or £3,105 for a 3-year HPI visa. An applicant who needs a new Ecctis assessment should therefore budget the application fee, Ecctis fee and IHS separately.

No. HPI cannot be extended and it is not a route to settlement. Time spent on an HPI visa does not count toward settlement under the qualifying long-residence route for that route. Before the HPI permission expires, an eligible person may be able to switch to another immigration route, such as Skilled Worker, subject to the requirements of that route.