Applying for Student Visa
3 months before enrolment:
Student Visa
fee is approximately £490.
Refer to CAS for visa details
Immigration Health surcharge
fee is approximately £470 per year
- Students aged between 4 and 17 can apply for Tier 4 (Child) student visa
- Students aged 18 or above can apply for Tier 4 (General) student visa.
The type of visas needed depends on category of courses and schools. Details can be found in the Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) issued by the respective schools.
Students can apply for student visas at VFS Global Hong Kong. Application fee is approximately £490.
(as of year 2023/2024)
When applying, students must pay a sum of around £470 for Immigration Health surcharge (IHS) per year in order to receive National Health Service during they stay in the UK.
VFS Global Hong Kong
-
Address:
Room B&E, 6/F, 169 Electric Road, North Point -
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday 0800-15:00
Note
As passports are withheld at the centre, students cannot travel abroad during the application procedure.
An application with regular service generally takes 15 to 20 working days to complete while an express service takes 5 to 8 working days.
To collect your visas, please bring along:
- identification documents;
- receipts;
- and collection notices.
(A) Visa – About the Tuberculosis Test
5-6 months before enrolment / before applying for visa :
Tuberculosis Test
Ensure report is still valid on departure day
Starting from January 2014, Hong Kong residents staying in the UK for more than 6 months (other than children aged under 11) must take the Tuberculosis Test in one of the five clinics assigned by UK Visa and Immigration.
The result is valid for six months and students must ensure that it is valid on their day of departure, as they are required to show the certificate (or the photocopy) to immigration officers when they enter the UK. Students must have the result of the test ready before applying for student visas. The report generally takes 2 to 3 working days to complete. Students are advised to take the test as early as possible.
They must be accompanied by at least one of the parents when taking the test and collecting the result. When making an appointment, please state the tuberculosis test for the application for UK visas.
For more information about the fees and required documents, please contact the following clinics:
(B) Visa – Documents required for application (Original and photocopy)
If you choose Britannia′s visa application service, we will provide you with the necessary online application forms. Please prepare the following documents:
-
Valid passport of the student
(Valid for more than half an year) - Valid passport of the mom and dad
- Old passports (if any)
-
Proof of academic qualifications
(e.g. school report) - Passport of other countries (if any)
-
Documents signed by parents or legal guardian
(including confirmation of the relationship between students and parent or legal guardian, consent of the applicant′s overseas education, as well as confirmation of student accommodation and airport transfer.)
- Birth certificate – Original copy
- Certificate of the Tuberculosis Test
- Hong Kong Identity Card
- Receipt of the VISA handling fee
- Bank statements*
Note
*As stated by the UK government, Hong Kong is included as one of the Appendix H nationals. Hong Kong passport holder takes advantage of differentiation arrangement when you submit a visa application with your HKSAR passport. Under the circumstances, you do not need to provide bank statements with your application. However, you must provide it if it is required by the visa centre. We strongly recommend you to keep at least HKD 500,000 in your bank account for 60 days before the date that you apply for the visa. Otherwise, your application might be adversely affected if you cannot provide the financial proof when it is required.
Requirement for the financial proof:
- Bank statements must be issued within the most recent month from the date that you submit the application;
- Bank statements must cover a 28-day period ending no more than 31 days before the date of your application, showing deposits not less than 500,000 HKD, or the equivalent during the 28-day period;
- Funds held in other accounts or financial instruments such as shares, bonds, credit cards, property from which the funds will not be accepted as evidence of funds.
Attention：
IELTS report will be needed for students who are applying for the General Student Visa.
After filling in the Britannia Visa Form, the Britannia Visa team will make the visa appointment. Please go to VFS Global Hong Kong to submit the application forms.
Booking Flights
Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Emirates are four airlines that provide flights between Hong Kong and three major airports in the UK, which are:
- London Heathrow Airport (LHR);
- London Gatwick Airport (LGW); and
- Manchester International Airport (MAN).
Flights departing from Hong Kong usually take approximately 13 hours, therefore it would be most convenient to take the flights departing at midnight.
Students should consider the school timetables when booking flight tickets as they can only enter dormitories according to the schedules and must leave before the end of the semester.
To save money:
Many airlines have special offers for students. Apart from cheaper prices, they also provide more baggage allowance or special allowance for instruments
Redeem via Asia Miles
Book flight tickets via websites such as Expedia, Agoda and lastminute.com
Book tickets via travel agents
Checklist
As there is limited space, students must decide carefully on what to bring. All they need are some necessities together with a few posters or photos for room decoration, as everyday items and food can be purchased there.
School Uniforms:
- For school uniforms and school ties, students can buy them at schools upon arrival.
Dormitories:
- Due to the limited space in dormitories, schools may require students to send extra items back to Hong Kong.
Medicines:
- All medicines must be handed over to the house masters at the beginning of the semester.
Luggage Checklist
- 2 sets of suits (for men)
- 1 set of suit (for women)
- 2 pairs of formal trousers (for men)
- 1 set of formal wear (for women)
- 6 white shirts (Long and short-sleeves)
- 1 Coat
- Scarf and gloves in plain colours
- 3 sweaters or hoodies
- 2 pairs of jeans
- 6 T-shirts
- 2 pairs of sport pants (long and short)
- Swim shorts (for men) / Swimsuit (for women)
- 6 sleeveless garments / underwear
- 10 pairs of underpants
- 10 pairs of socks
- Bathrobe / housecoat
- 2 face towels
- 4 bath towels
- 2 sets of pajamas
- 1 pair of black leather shoes
- Shoe polish
- 1 pair of sport shoes
- Casual shoes
- 1 pair of slippers
- 1 pair of rain boots (if any)
- Two sets of bedcovers
- Personal hygiene products
- Umbrella
- Cup
- Laptop (if any)
- 1 calculator (if any)
- 12 passport photos
