Pre-departure

International students living in the UK for more than 6 months must apply for Tier 4 student visa before their departures. 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 visa needed depends on category of courses and school and details can be found in the Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) issued by school.

Students can apply for student visas at VFS Global Hong Kong. Application fee is approximately £348 (as of year 2019/2020). 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 stays in the UK. As passports must be remained at the centre, students cannot go 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 visas, please bring identification documents, receipts and collection notices.

VFS Global Hong Kong

Room B&E, 6/F, 169 Electric Road, North Point

Office hour: Monday – Friday 0800-15:00

(A) Visa – About the Tuberculosis TestStarting 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:

UMP Medical Centre  3950 8888

Central：

Room 1401-3, Wing On House, 71 Des Voeux Road Central

Tsim Sha Tsui：

Room 7, 10/F, Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East

Jordan：

Rm 03-04, 15/F, 238 Nathan Road, Kowloon

Quality HealthCare Medical Centre  8200 8825

Admiralty:

Units 1605-09, 16/F, Admiralty Centre Tower 1, 18 Harcourt Road, Hong Kong

Mong Kok:

8/F, Wai Fung Plaza, 664 Nathan Road, Mongkok, Kowloon

(B) Visa – Documents required for application (Original and photocopy)Cloudifly will send you the online visa form to Cloudifly Student later, please prepare the documents below:

*As stated by the UK government, Hong Kong is included as one of Appendix H nationals. Hong Kong passport holder takes advantage of differentiation arrangement when you submit visa application with 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 Visa centre.  We strongly recommend you to keep at least HKD 500,000 in your bank account for 60 days before the date you applied for the visa. Otherwise, your application might be greatly affected if you cannot provide the financial proof when it is required. Requirement for the financial proof: 1) Bank statements must be issued within the most recent month from the date you submitted the application; 2) 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; 3)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 General Student Visa

After filling in the Visa Form, Cloudifly Visa team will make the visa appointment for student. Please go to VFS Global Hong Kong for submitting 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 schedule and must leave before end of semester.

To save money:

Checklist

As there is limited space in luggage, 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. For school uniforms and school ties, students can buy at schools after arrival. Due to limited space in dormitories, schools may require students to send extra items back to Hong Kong. Besides, all medicines must be handed over to the house masters at beginning of semester.