UK HPI visa in 2026
HPI is an unsponsored route for recent graduates of universities on the Home Office Global Universities List.
The qualifying award must normally have been granted within the last 5 years by a university on the list for the relevant award period. UK universities are not eligible for HPI. Current Immigration Rules cap the route at a maximum of 8,000 applications per allocation year.
Permission normally lasts 2 years, or 3 years for a PhD or other doctoral qualification. HPI can allow work, job-seeking and self-employment, subject to route conditions.
No extension and no direct settlement
HPI cannot be extended and is not a route to settlement. Switching into another route may be possible before permission expires.
Check the official HPI guide and eligibility page.
Return to the UK hub or compare Student and Graduate.
Verified against GOV.UK/Home Office sources on 19 September 2026.
Official and supporting sources
- GOV.UK — HPI visagovernment · accessed 2026-09-19
- GOV.UK — HPI eligibilitygovernment · accessed 2026-09-19
- Immigration Rules Appendix HPIlegislation · accessed 2026-09-19