HPI visa universities list 2026: which list applies to your degree
In short: The Home Office has published the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa universities list for 2026 and removed the 2020 list. The 2026 list only covers degrees awarded from 1 November 2026. If you graduated before then, you check an earlier list, not the new one.
Who it affects: graduates of leading universities outside the UK who want to live and work in the UK without a job offer.
What to do: find the list for the date your degree was awarded, then check you are still inside the 5-year window.
Reviewed by: Kobi Mensah, Immigration and Migration. Last checked: 5 November 2026 against GOV.UK.
The High Potential Individual visa lets recent graduates of top universities outside the UK come to the UK for 2 years (3 years with a PhD) without a job offer or a sponsor. Every year the Home Office publishes a new list of eligible universities. On 1 November 2026 it added the 2026 list, and on 4 November 2026 it removed the 2020 list as outdated.
The part people miss is that the newest list is usually not the one you need. Which list counts depends on when your degree was awarded, not when you apply.
New to the route? Start with our overview: what the High Potential Individual visa is and how it works.
What changed on the HPI universities list in November 2026?
- 1 November 2026: the global universities list for 2026 was added.
- 4 November 2026: the 2020 list was removed as outdated.
The GOV.UK page now shows six lists: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026. The 2026 list has 82 universities. No UK university is on any list, because UK graduates have a different route (more on that below).
Which HPI list applies to me?
The Immigration Rules say your university must appear on the list “in respect of the date the applicant was awarded the degree”. The award date is the one confirmed by Ecctis, the UK qualification checking service. GOV.UK sets out which list covers which award dates:
| Your degree was awarded between | Check this list |
|---|---|
| 1 November 2026 and 31 October 2027 | 2026 list |
| 1 November 2025 and 31 October 2026 | 2025 list |
| 1 November 2024 and 31 October 2025 | 2024 list |
| 1 November 2023 and 31 October 2024 | 2023 list |
| 1 November 2022 and 31 October 2023 | 2022 list |
| 1 November 2021 and 31 October 2022 | 2021 list |
So if you graduated in summer 2026, you use the 2025 list. Your university could be on the 2026 list and still not help you, or be missing from it and still be fine. Check the right year.
What does removing the 2020 list mean?
You must have been awarded your degree in the 5 years immediately before the date you apply. With the 2020 list gone, no list on GOV.UK now covers degrees awarded before 1 November 2021. If your degree is older than that, you are outside the window for this route and will need to look at another option.
If your degree was awarded in late 2021 or 2022, keep an eye on the calendar. The 5-year clock runs to your application date, so leaving it late can take you out of the route.
Who can apply for the HPI visa?
You need all of the following:
- a degree at UK bachelor’s, postgraduate or PhD level from a university on the right list, awarded in the last 5 years
- an Ecctis check confirming the qualification is valid and at the right level (Ecctis does not check whether your university is on the list, so do that yourself)
- English at level B2 on the CEFR scale, unless you are exempt (we covered the rise to B2 in UK Raises English Language Requirement for Key Work Visas)
- at least £1,270 in savings, held for 28 days in a row, unless you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months
- to be 18 or over
You cannot apply if you have already had a Graduate visa, an HPI visa or the Doctorate Extension Scheme. You can only get an HPI visa once.
How much does the HPI visa cost?
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | £880 |
| Ecctis qualification check | £252 (including VAT) |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | usually £1,035 a year: £2,070 for 2 years, £3,105 for 3 years |
| Savings you must show | £1,270 (unless exempt) |
Partners and children can come with you. Each needs their own funds (£285 for a partner, £315 for one child, £200 for each additional child) and pays the health surcharge too.
What can I do on an HPI visa?
- work in most jobs, look for work, or be self-employed
- bring your partner and children, who can also work and study
The limits matter for your planning. You cannot work as a professional sportsperson or coach, claim most benefits, or extend the visa. Time on the HPI route does not count towards settlement. To stay longer, you need to switch to another route before your HPI visa ends, for example a Skilled Worker visa with an employer who holds a sponsor licence. Our guide to the Skilled Worker rule changes from 8 October 2026 explains the current position on that route.
Is there a cap on HPI applications?
Yes. The route is capped at 8,000 applications a year, and the allocation year runs from 1 November to 31 October. A new allocation year started on 1 November 2026, the same day the 2026 list was added.
Frequently asked questions
I graduated in July 2026. Is my university on the 2026 list enough?
No. A degree awarded in July 2026 falls under the 2025 list (awards from 1 November 2025 to 31 October 2026). Check that list.
I studied at a UK university. Can I use the HPI visa?
No. UK universities are not eligible. If you are in the UK on a Student visa, the Graduate visa may be the route to look at instead.
Can I switch to HPI from inside the UK?
Often yes, for example from a Student visa once you have completed your course. You cannot switch from a visitor visa or from a Graduate visa. Decisions on switching applications usually take around 8 weeks.
Does the HPI visa lead to indefinite leave to remain?
No. It is not a route to settlement. Plan your next route early, especially with the settlement changes the government announced on 2 November 2026.
Not sure which list or route fits you?
The rules are simple on paper. The mistakes happen with award dates, the 5-year window and choosing what comes after HPI. If you want a clear answer on your own situation before you pay the Home Office fees, book a 15-minute Advice Call with our team.
Sources (checked 5 November 2026):
GOV.UK: High Potential Individual visa, global universities list
GOV.UK: HPI visa eligibility
GOV.UK: HPI visa costs
GOV.UK: HPI visa, your partner and children
GOV.UK: Switch to an HPI visa
Immigration Rules: Appendix High Potential Individual
He holds a Master’s in International Law, specialising in EU and International Trade Law, and began focusing on immigration during his law degree. Known for his thorough approach to compliance, clear communication, and practical legal strategies, Kobi is committed to delivering solutions that work in the real world.
He also has a knack for reverse-engineering systems to find efficiencies and solve problems others overlook - a skill that makes him particularly effective in uncovering legal pathways others miss.
- HPI visa universities list 2026: which list applies to your degree - 6 November 2026
- Naturalisation as a British citizen: requirements, fees and timing in 2026 - 1 November 2026
- Sponsor licence compliance: what UK sponsors must do in 2026 - 1 November 2026
