The HPI visa and the Graduate visa are both post-study routes that let recent graduates live and work in the UK without needing a job offer. But they're not alternatives for the same person — they're designed for entirely different groups, and most applicants only qualify for one of them.
The fundamental distinction
Graduate visa: for people who studied their degree at a UK university.
HPI visa: for people who studied at a top-ranked global university outside the UK.
These two routes don't overlap. If you did your degree in the UK, you can't use the HPI. If you did your degree overseas, you can't use the Graduate visa. Simple.
Side-by-side comparison
| HPI Visa | Graduate visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Who qualifies | Graduates of 80 approved overseas universities | Graduates of eligible UK universities |
| Duration (bachelor's/master's) | 2 years | 2 years |
| Duration (PhD) | 3 years | 3 years |
| Graduation window | Within last 5 years | Must apply before Student visa expires |
| Work restrictions | None | None |
| Self-employment | Yes | Yes |
| Extend the visa | No | No |
| Counts toward ILR | No | No |
| Number of times you can get it | Once | Once |
| University requirement | On approved global list | UK university with sponsorship track record |
Key differences in practice
The 5-year window (HPI only)
The HPI has a strict 5-year graduation window. You can't apply if your degree was awarded more than 5 years ago. The Graduate visa has no equivalent rule — you apply while you're still on your Student visa, typically in your final year or just after completing your studies.
The 'once only' rule
Both visas are one-shot only. You cannot apply for a second HPI visa, and the Graduate visa is also a one-time route. If you've already held a Graduate visa, you cannot use the HPI.
Path after the visa
Neither visa counts toward ILR. After 2–3 years, you'll need to switch to a different route (Skilled Worker, Global Talent) or leave the UK. This is an important planning consideration — the visa is a window of opportunity, not a permanent status.
Can I use both?
No. Using a Graduate visa means you cannot later apply for an HPI visa. Similarly, using the HPI visa counts as your one application — there are no further HPI applications after that.
Interestingly, some people who studied in the UK for a postgraduate degree may still qualify for HPI based on their overseas undergraduate degree — provided that degree was from an approved university. But if they've already used the Graduate visa, that route is closed.
If you have both options available (e.g., you did an overseas bachelor's at a qualifying university and then a UK master's), the HPI may be preferable if you graduated overseas within the last 5 years — because it avoids the Student visa timing pressure of the Graduate route.
Choosing the right one
- Studied overseas at an approved university, graduated within 5 years → HPI visa
- Currently studying in the UK on a Student visa → Graduate visa (after completing your UK degree)
- Studied overseas AND completed a UK postgraduate → check HPI eligibility first (5-year window for the overseas degree), unless you've already used Graduate visa
Check if you qualify for the HPI visa
Run your free eligibility checkFrequently asked questions
I have a UK master's degree. Can I still apply for HPI based on my overseas bachelor's?
Yes, if your overseas bachelor's institution is on the approved list and your bachelor's was awarded within the last 5 years. The HPI looks at the qualifying degree, not your most recent degree.
If I take a Graduate visa now, can I later get an HPI visa?
No. Having previously been granted a Graduate visa disqualifies you from the HPI route.
My Graduate visa is expiring. Can I switch to HPI?
Only if you haven't already used the Graduate visa AND your overseas university qualifies. If you've already held a Graduate visa, you are ineligible for HPI.