High Potential Individual visa: 2026 global universities list published
Published
UK Visas and Immigration has published the 2026 global universities list for the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa. It covers qualifications awarded between 1 November 2026 and 31 October 2027. Compared with the 2025 list, four universities are added and two are no longer listed.
- Who is affected
- Graduates of international universities who want to apply for the HPI visa
- Takes effect
- November 1, 2026
What has changed
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has added the global universities list for 2026 to its High Potential Individual (HPI) visa guidance. The page was updated on 1 November 2026.
The 2026 list covers qualifications awarded between 1 November 2026 and 31 October 2027. The 2025 list is still on the page. It covers qualifications awarded between 1 November 2025 and 31 October 2026.
- Added in 2026: Aarhus University (Denmark)
- Added in 2026: Harbin Institute of Technology (China)
- Added in 2026: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) (South Korea)
- Added in 2026: Ohio State University, Columbus (United States)
- On the 2025 list but not the 2026 list: KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden)
- On the 2025 list but not the 2026 list: Lund University (Sweden)
Who is affected
People who graduated, or will graduate, from an international university and want to apply for the HPI visa. The guidance says you can apply for the HPI route if you graduated from an eligible international university in the 5 years immediately before your application.
Which list applies depends on when your qualification was awarded. Each list covers its own award dates.
What you should do
Find the date your qualification was awarded. Then check the list that covers that date. Some university names are written a little differently on the 2026 list, so check carefully. Read the official page linked below for the full lists.
Frequently asked questions
Official sources
- High Potential Individual visa: global universities list UK Visas and Immigration
This summary is produced automatically from the official sources above and checked against them, but it can still contain mistakes. It is not legal advice. Always confirm the details on GOV.UK before you apply.
More Visas & Immigration news
Refugee sponsorship routes: Home Office sets eligibility criteria and first 7 countries
The Home Office has published guidance on who can be sponsored under the new named sponsorship and refugee study routes. The routes will start in seven countries: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Egypt, Uganda and Kenya. Refugees must have been in one of these countries, and registered with the relevant authorities or UNHCR, before 1 October 2026.
Skilled Worker visa: modern slavery victims can now leave abusive employers
The Home Office has changed the rules so that Skilled Worker visa holders who are formally recognised as victims of modern slavery are no longer tied to their sponsor and can do any lawful work for the rest of their visa. The change applies from 9 October 2026, the day it was announced. It means victims can leave abusive employers without risking their immigration status.
Immigration Rules changes HC 584: Erasmus+, EUSS, BN(O) children and Skilled Workers
The Home Office has changed the Immigration Rules in HC 584, affecting routes including Skilled Worker, the EU Settlement Scheme, Hong Kong BN(O), Victim of Domestic Abuse, Student and Visitor. Most changes came into effect on 8 October 2026. Some changes start later, on 29 October, 30 November and 9 December 2026.