For adult Chinese passport holders with a qualifying overseas degree awarded in the last five years. No initial UK offer or sponsor required. First offshore principal application only; excludes dependants, in-country switching and prior Graduate, HPI or Doctorate Extension Scheme permission.
These four UK routes serve distinct purposes and prerequisites: distinguish short visits, sponsored study (CAS), unsponsored recent graduates (HPI) and employer-sponsored Skilled Worker (CoS).
For offshore adult applicants holding an unconditional offer and CAS from a licensed student sponsor; work hours are restricted.
Official requirementsNo prior job offer required; requires an eligible degree within the last 5 years, Ecctis verification, B2 English and funds; cannot be extended.
Official requirementsRequires a licensed sponsor, eligible occupation code, Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and salary threshold; distinct from unsponsored HPI.
Official requirementsCheck the Global Universities List matching the award date, plus Ecctis degree and award-date assessment; UK universities do not qualify. Meet current B2 English, offshore maintenance and general entry requirements. The annual allocation also applies; this guide does not establish remaining places or guarantee eligibility.
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Check award date, university list and prior status; prepare assessment, English and funds; apply online offshore and follow identity, evidence and payment instructions; after approval follow eVisa and entry notices and plan any later immigration route separately.
Verify the five-year award window and the matching university list. Ecctis assesses the qualification and date, not university-list eligibility. A current QS ranking alone is insufficient. Official guidance
Use the official Ecctis link and an accepted English-evidence route. Offshore maintenance is at least £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days, ending within 31 days before applying. Assessment, visa and health-surcharge costs are separate. Official guidance
Apply no earlier than three months before intended travel. Follow the identity-check or visa-centre process assigned online, upload evidence, pay and answer further requests. A three-week decision is not guaranteed. Official guidance
Normally two years, or three for a qualifying doctorate, subject to the grant. HPI cannot be extended and is not a direct settlement route. Job search, most employment and self-employment are permitted within the grant; switching requires separate eligibility. Official guidance
Introductory preparation summary, not a complete checklist, individual advice or a visa guarantee. Follow official pages and individual notices. Reviewed: 2026-10-25
Cross-checked current GOV.UK rules, applicant pages and caseworker guidance. English is B2, not the old B1 threshold. The allocation is 8,000 applications per 1 November–31 October year. Recheck lists, rules and online acceptance at submission, especially around the imminent year boundary; remaining capacity is not inferred.
The award window, matching list and assessment all matter. Prior Graduate, HPI or Doctorate Extension Scheme grants are exclusions. Official guidance
Use current B2 evidence rules rather than inventing an IELTS conversion. The annual cap counts applications, not 8,000 places still available. Check online acceptance when applying. Official guidance
The £1,270 maintenance threshold excludes assessment, application and health-surcharge charges. An offshore applicant cannot use the twelve-month UK-permission exception. Official guidance
HPI is not extendable. Later work permission and settlement have independent conditions. Not every occupation is allowed, including restrictions on professional sport; follow the individual grant. Official guidance
Download a blank English PDF checklist to print and mark offline. This is not an exhaustive lodgement checklist; official requirements take precedence.