Graduate Route and High Potential Individual (HPI) Route

Visa routes for graduates from UK and overseas institutions

Graduate Route

Full information on the Graduate route is available from our Student Visa Services Team.

Please be aware that when a graduate visa comes to an end it will be important to establish whether the applicant is eligible for another visa type to maintain the right to work. The Staff Immigration Team should be consulted to confirm whether an existing role or new role is sponsorable for a skilled worker visa before the expiry of the graduate visa or an application for a new role is submitted.

High Potential Individual (HPI) visa 

A High Potential Individual (HPI) visa gives those eligible permission to stay in the UK for 2 years.  To be eligible applicants must have been awarded a qualification by an eligible university in the last 5 years. The university must have been included in the 'Global Universities List' the year the qualification was awarded and it must have been awarded no more than 5 years before the date of the application. 

To be eligible the applicant must demonstrate:

  • They have been awarded a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors, Masters, or PhD from an eligible international university (50 points).
  • They can speak, read, listen, and write English to at least CEFR B2 intermediate level, as with a Skilled Worker (10 points).
  • They must have maintenance funds of at least £1,270 (10 points).

The applicant must obtain 70 points and there are no tradeable points.

Further information can be found in the Government High Potential Individual Visa guidance.

Process

A High Potential Individual visa is granted by the Home Office (UKVI) when: 

  • The applicant submits an online application fulfilling all the criteria.
  • Pays the fee.
  • Provides the supporting documents including ATAS if studying research or sensitive topics.

Should Faculties/Departments/Schools wish to employ an applicant under the High Potential Individual visa route they should contact the Staff Immigration Team at the earliest opportunity. 

 

Last updated: 14/7/2026