High Potential Individual visa: Indian citizen in India → United Kingdom
Indian citizens awarded a qualification by an eligible university in the last 5 years can apply online on gov.uk for a High Potential Individual visa to work, look for work or be self-employed in the UK for 2 years (3 years with a PhD), without needing a job offer.
Lets recent graduates of an eligible top global university come to the UK to work, look for work or be self-employed, without needing a job offer or sponsor.
- Validity
- An HPI visa lasts for 2 years. If you have a PhD or other doctoral qualification, it will last for 3 years.
- Entries
- You can travel abroad and return to the UK during your visa; it cannot be extended.
- Max stay per visit
- 2 years (3 years with a PhD or other doctoral qualification).
When to start
Start 21 days–2 months before your travel date.
Getting an appointment in India
- Delhi & Mumbai: usually 1–2 weeks for a slot; peak season can stretch towards 4 weeks.
- Tier-2 centres (Pune, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad) often have earlier slots — a train ticket can beat the wait.
- The New Delhi centre relocated in early 2026 — confirm the current address on the official VFS site before you go.
- Applicants report slots opening 7–21 days out in normal months — book the moment you pay your fee.
To apply, you must have been awarded a qualification by an eligible university in the last 5 years.
Before you apply you must have your qualification verified, receiving a unique person identifier number or certificate from Ecctis.
You'll usually need to prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B2 when you apply.
Complete the application on gov.uk. It costs the £880 application fee plus the healthcare surcharge, and you'll usually need at least £1,270 in savings.
As part of your application, you'll need to prove your identity and provide your documents — using the ID Check app or at a visa application centre.
From outside the UK you'll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
What you'll need
- Valid passport or travel document — A valid passport or other travel document that shows your identity and nationality. ✓ verified
- Ecctis unique person identifier or certificate — Your unique person identifier number or certificate that was given to you by Ecctis when they checked your qualification. ✓ verified
- Proof of knowledge of English — Proof of your knowledge of English. ✓ verified
- Proof of personal savings — Proof you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK (you'll usually need at least £1,270 available). ✓ verified· you have not been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months
- Tuberculosis (TB) test results — Your tuberculosis test results if you're from a listed country (this includes India). ✓ verified· you're from a listed country
Where you'll apply
Apply online on gov.uk, then prove your identity — either with the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app or by giving fingerprints and a photo at a UK visa application centre (VFS Global) in India.
Fees
| High Potential Individual visa application fee | GBP 880 |
Gotchas to watch
- You'll usually need to have at least £1,270 available to support yourself in the UK.
- You cannot extend this visa or apply to settle permanently in the UK on it — switch to another visa to stay longer.