UK Budget sets out HPI, work-visa salary and Graduate visa changes
The 28 October Budget commits to expanding HPI eligibility and changing arrangements for selected graduates and highly skilled workers, rather than immediately replacing application rules.
The 28 October UK Budget proposes HPI eligibility for the world’s top 150 institutions and a proportionate cap increase, distinct from the annual list published on 1 November.[1][2]
It also proposes 2-year Graduate visas for graduates of high-compliance universities with strong employment outcomes. The highest-skilled workers would get up to 6 months to find another job after visa curtailment, planned for 2027, depending on time in their previous highly paid role.[1]
From spring 2027, planned salary changes would move occupation-specific thresholds from median wages to the 25th percentile, update the general threshold using 2026 wage data, introduce annual wage-based updates, standardise new-entrant discounts and remove the PhD discount. This does not establish lower current thresholds for all applicants.[1]
These commitments do not immediately create a 150-institution HPI list, universal 2-year Graduate visas or a 6-month period for every sponsored worker. Eligibility and transitions require implementing rules and guidance.[1][2]
Official sources
This article provides general information. Individual applications are subject to the applicable rules and the competent authority’s assessment.