UK adds 2026 universities list for the HPI visa and removes the 2020 list
Announced by UK Government (GOV.UK)Nov 4, 2026
NewUnited KingdomVisas and rules
In short
- What
- The HPI visa universities list now includes a 2026 edition, and the 2020 list has been removed.
- What to do
- Check whether your university appears on the official list.
Does this apply to you?
It applies to
- Graduates of overseas universities considering the UK HPI visa
- People who graduated from an eligible international university in the 5 years immediately before their application
Key terms
- HPI visa (High Potential Individual visa
- A UK visa for people who graduated from an eligible international university in the 5 years immediately before applying.
- Global universities list
- A yearly UK government list of international universities that qualify for the HPI visa.
What changed
A new 2026 global universities list has been added. The 2020 list was removed as "outdated". The official page now shows the lists from 2021 to 2026.
When it applies
1 November 2026: 2026 list added. 4 November 2026: 2020 list removed (page last updated).
Exceptions
Please check the yearly lists and the application guidance on the official page for any exceptions or transitional arrangements.
What to check or do
- Check the latest lists on the official GOV.UK page.
- Check whether the university you graduated from appears on the official list.
- Check that you graduated within the 5 years immediately before your application.
- If you were relying on the 2020 list, check whether your university appears on another year's list.
Official sources
- Officially announced
- Nov 4, 2026
- Effective from
- Not confirmed
- Last checked
- Not confirmed
Not confirmed
View the official notice
gov.uk (external site)
