UK Student Visa Overview
Target clients: International students who are over 16 years old are going to study an A level, a foundation programme, International Year One, a bachelor’s degree, a pre-master’s programme, a pre-sessional course, a master’s degree, a doctoral programme, and a PGCE course with an unconditional offer of a place on a full-time course from their UK education provider (a licensed student sponsor). A recognised foundation programme for postgraduate doctors and dentists, an English language course at level B2 or above, and part-time courses leading to qualifications above RQF Level 7 also qualify for this Student visa. Explore other qualifying courses for this Student visa by visiting https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/course. Check here if you need a visa.
When to apply and travel: Applying for a Student visa from outside the UK
The earliest you can apply is 6 months before starting your course.
You will get a decision within 3 weeks (processing time starts when you attend your biometric appointment at a visa application centre (VAC)).
You can travel to the UK up to 1 month before if your course lasts more than 6 months.
You can travel to the UK up to 1 week before if your course lasts 6 months or less.
When to apply: Applying for a Student visa from inside the UK
The earliest you can apply is 3 months before starting your course.
You will get a decision within 8 weeks.
Fees
Student visa application fee: £490.
Priority service: £500 (get a decision within 5 working days).
Super priority service: £1,000 (get a decision within 1 or 2 working days after your appointment).
Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS): £776 per year.
Tuberculosis (TB) test fee in Hong Kong: 1200 HKD or more (report in 2–3 working days).
Courier delivery fees for returning your passports and documents: 392 HKD to Macau or 70 HKD to Hong Kong.
Certified English translation of a birth certificate: 500 MOP (for students from Macau, it takes 2–3 working days).
Visa application centre (VAC) in Hong Kong (for Macau, Hong Kong, and BNO passport holders)
VFS Global Services HongKong Pvt Ltd.
Unit A, 7th Floor, Lee & Man Commercial Centre. 169 Electric Road. North Point. Hong Kong. 香港北角電氣道169號 理文商業中心 7樓A室.
Opening hours: Monday – Friday: 08:00–15:00 (by appointment only).
More information: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/hkg/en/gbr/attend-centre/hong-kong-north-point.
*Portuguese/European passport holders do not need to visit the visa application centre; they can use a smartphone through the “UK Immigration: ID Check” app.
Our Services Include the Following:
1. An initial consultation with an experienced UK study visa application professional.
2. Request specific information from you.
3. Provide a detailed and up-to-date visa application process, from planning to collecting your biometric residence permit (BRP) to updating your eVisa.
4. Provide a checklist of all supporting documents required for a booming UK Student visa application.
5. Offer guidance on document preparation and evaluation in compliance with current immigration laws and regulations.
6. Assist students from Macau who need their birth certificates translated and notarised with an additional fee of 55 GBP/550 MOP.
7. Complete and submit your visa application form online.
8. Assist with queries regarding the visa application fee, Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and proof of funds.
9. Arrange an appointment for a tuberculosis (TB) test in an approved test clinic in Hong Kong.
10. Book a biometric appointment and upload all your scanned supporting documents.
11. Advise what documents to bring when attending your in-person biometric appointment.
12. Assist you if you need to provide more information and attend an interview before a visa application decision is made.
13. Inform you to pick up your documents/passport in person or have your documents returned to you by courier for an additional fee once a visa application decision has been made.
14. Act as your representative in communications with UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) and VAF Global and promptly update you on your visa application status or any outcomes.
15. Address all your queries throughout the visa application process.
Required Supporting Documents
1. A reference number or a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) provided by your UK course provider.
2. Academic qualification evidence for issuing your CAS (e.g., a degree certificate, knowledge of English) (*Macau, Hong Kong, BNO, Taiwan, or China passport holders do not need to provide documents listed on CAS).
3. IELTS Academic for UKVI certificate, IELTS Academic certificate, or other secure English language test (SELT) (*Macau, Hong Kong, BNO, Taiwan, or China passport holders do not need to provide documents listed on CAS).
4. A valid passport (with a blank page on both sides) and an old passport (if you have a UK visa in the old passport).
5. A tuberculosis (TB) test certificate (including if you are already in the UK but did not provide a TB certificate when you came to the UK).
6. The completed visa application form.
7. Proof of the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) payment.
8. Evidence that you have permission to be in the country you are applying from (e.g., your Macau or Hong Kong identity card).
9. A bank letter or statement for proof of funds (course fee + money to support yourself/maintenance) must be in the bank for 28 consecutive days before you submit your visa application.
Money to support yourself: £1,334 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London.
£1,023 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London.
*Macau, Hong Kong, BNO, Taiwan, or China passport holders do not need to prove they have enough money to support themselves. However, they might be asked to provide this evidence before getting a decision.
*Receipt of tuition fee payment (if applicable).
*Financial sponsor letter (if applicable).
10. Your birth certificate (required when funds are held in your parents’ bank account. Students from Macau must get it translated and notarised and provide both the original and certified English translation).
11. Your parents’ Macau or Hong Kong identity cards or passports (required when funds are held in your parents’ bank account).
12. Written consent from your parents to use their funds (required when funds are held in your parents’ bank account).
13. An Academic Technology Approved Scheme (ATAS) certificate if your course (sensitive topics) and nationality require it.
14. If you are 16 or 17 years old, provide written consent from both parents or legal guardians (consent for your visa application, your living and care arrangements in the UK and your travel to the UK), proof of parental or legal guardian consent, and proof of your relationship to your parent or guardian.
**Click to download the Required Supporting Document Checklist.
Service Outcomes
Following the use of this service, you will be able to:
★ complete your UK Student visa application quickly and increase its likelihood of success.
★ make the entire visa application process much simpler and less stressful without requiring you to invest significant time in independent research.
★ receive excellent and up-to-date knowledge and practice related to the UK Student visa.
★ enjoy the peace of mind of successfully granting a UK Student visa with our one-stop expert service.
★ trust us to act as your representative throughout the visa application process.
For inquiries, please email us at team@aheadachiever.com or reach us via WhatsApp and phone at +853 6342 6532 or +44 (0)7706 451515.
Notes
1. If you wish to pay in MOP, HKD, RMB, other currencies, or other payment methods such as bank transfer and e-wallet, please contact us for payment details. We accept a number of payment methods.
2. Obtaining a Student visa takes 3 working weeks, so don’t wait until the last minute to begin the application process and delay your biometric appointment. You might wait longer for a decision in the summer or if you need to provide more information or attend an interview. It is advisable to start your visa process 6 months in advance.
3. Students from Macau must get their birth certificate translated and notarised, for which we charge an additional fee of 500 MOP.
4. Supporting documents (including the original passport) are kept at the visa application centre (VAC) until a decision is made; therefore, visa applicants cannot travel abroad during this period.
5. Although this service cannot guarantee a successful visa application, we have assisted many students in obtaining their visas. All our previous clients were delighted with our services.
6. Only students studying for a research master’s or doctoral degree can apply for a dependant visa; we can assist with the application at an extra service fee.
7. International students who study a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or other eligible course with a Student visa can remain in the UK for 2 years after completing their course (3 years for PhD graduates).
8. Assist you with the following services with additional service fees: flight booking, travel insurance purchase, accommodation arrangement, airport pick-up, and Schengen visa application.
9. Protect yourself from visa application frauds, tricks and scams, as the Home Office advises: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/frauds-tricks-and-scams/fraud-tricks-and-scams.
10. This webpage was last updated on 13 September 2024.