The new list of top universities that qualify graduates for the UK’s High Potential Individual (“HPI”) visa has been published. The HPI visa route provides a unique opportunity for eligible graduates to move to the UK without a job offer.
As expected, US institutions dominate the list making up 50% of eligible institutions but universities in Europe Switzerland, Germany, France, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada and Australia also appear.
Students graduating from the list of around 40 top non-UK universities can apply to live and work in the UK for 2-3 years without sponsorship from an employer. Graduates must have been awarded the qualification in the last five years and their institution must appear on the HPI list of eligible institutions for that year.
The route brings benefits for UK businesses as employers can recruit top international talent without the duties and costs of Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.
HPI visa benefits
Eligible graduates can apply to:
- Live and work in the UK for two years for a Bachelor’s or Master’s level degree or three years for a PhD/doctoral level qualification
- Bring family (partner and children) to the UK with them
- Look for work, work for any employer, be self-employed or set up a business
HPI visa holders are not eligible to settle in the UK, but the route provides a temporary visa route intended to lead to other visa options including Skilled Worker, Global Talent and potentially Innovator Founder – all of which do lead to settlement in 3-5 years.
The route therefore provides a unique opportunity for eligible graduates to move to the UK without a job offer.
Eligible institutions
Click on the links below for the month and year you graduated to see if your university appears on the list:
- 1 November 2024 to 31 October 2025
- 1 November 2023 to 31 October 2024
- 1 November 2022 to 31 October 2023
- 1 November 2021 to 31 October 2022
- 1 November 2020 to 31 October 2021
- 1 November 2019 to 31 October 2020
This year’s changes
- Delft University of Technology removed (Netherlands)
- Heidelberg University added (Germany) – last listed 2019-20
- University of Munich returns to the list (Germany) – last listed 2021-22
- University of Texas returns to the list (USA) – last listed 2022-23
Last chance to apply
It is the last chance for November 2019 – October 2020 graduates to apply, the cut-off date for applications being five years since the eligible qualification was awarded.
Contact our friendly team for advice and assistance.