Students need 40 points to qualify for a student visa and these are earned by:

• supplying an original, valid Visa letter from their sponsor (the institution they will be joining) - 30 points
• Fulfilling the financial maintenance requirements - 10 points

See http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk for more details.

• For courses of more than 9 months, the amount in the account must cover fees for the first year of the course plus living expenses of £7,200 (in London) or £5,400 (outside London). This has been put in place to help students avoid any financial difficulties that might affect their ability to complete their studies. They may provide written evidence from the institution that tuition and accommodation fees have been paid in advance, which would be deducted from the total required.
• For students who have completed a course of study in the UK that was at least six months long in the past four months (i.e. International students already studying in the UK prior to moving to a new institution in September), they will only need to show in their account sufficient funds to cover fees for the first year of the course plus living expenses for two months or £1,600 (in London) and £1,200 (outside London).
• Child students (those below 16, or aged 16-17 who have chosen to apply as a child) must use a bank account in their parent’s name as evidence that they meet the maintenance requirement.
• Adult students (those 18 and over, or aged 16 - 17 who have chosen to apply as an adult) are able to use either a bank account under their own name or a bank account in their parent’s name as evidence that they meet the maintenance requirement.
• From 1 October 2009, this money must be  held for a minimum 28 days continuously prior to their visa appointment. Please note that students submitting applications before 1 October 2009, only need to show the required minimum funds are in their bank accounts on the date of the application, not for 28 days, in order to meet the maintenance requirements. This has been added in paragraph 137 of the UKBA Policy Guidance available at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/pbs/tier4.
• The student may alternatively show proof they have a loan from a regulated institution. If students are eligible for an Overseas Education Allowance, they need a letter from the Treasury or employing government department stating that an overseas education allowance has been awarded. The letter must state the amount of the award each year, the end date and evidence in the student’s name of the remainder of funds required.
• Please read carefully the guidance on maintenance requirements at http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf29pbsstudent

• Students need to obtain a “visa letter” from the education institution where they intend to study. This institution must be on the “register of sponsors” kept by the British Government, at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/
  sitecontent/documents/employersand
  sponsors/pointsbasedsystem/register
  ofsponsorseducation. This will give peace of mind to students by ensuring that the courses that applicants want to join are run by bona fide institutions approved by the British Government.
• Students should ensure that the Visa Letter from their sponsor meets the specific requirements and contains all necessary details.

Specific Visa Letter requirements can be found at:

Visa Offer Letter from Sponsor - Specific Requirements

• For adult students (those 18 and over, or aged 16 - 17 who have chosen to apply as an adult)
  http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers/points/
  whatisthepointsbasedsystem/visaletterforadultsudent
• For child students (those below 16, or aged 16-17 who have chosen to apply as a child)
  http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers/points/
  whatisthepointsbasedsystem/visaletterforchildstudent

Please refer to the detailed document checklists and make sure you have all items with you when you submit your visa application.

Document checklists

• For adult students (those 18 and over, or aged 16 - 17 who have chosen to apply as an adult)
  http://ukinhongkong.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/14996412/student-adult-general.pdf (English)
  http://ukinhongkong.fco.gov.uk/resources/zh/pdf/pdf1/cklist-student-adult-chi.pdf (Chinese)
• For child students (those below 16, or aged 16-17 who have chosen to apply as a child)
  http://ukinhongkong.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/14996412/studen-child.pdf
  http://ukinhongkong.fco.gov.uk/resources/zh/pdf/pdf1/cklist-student-child-chi.pdf

In addition to the point requirements, the following are required to support the application:

• A signed printout of your on-line application form (VAF9 PBS)
• A current passport or travel document
• Two recent passport – sized colour photographs
• Proof of any qualifications you used to be accepted onto the course
• Evidence of your Hong Kong/Macau immigration status
• The application fee
• Any other supporting documents required by PBS Tier 4.
• Biometric data (digital photo and fingerprints) will be collected at the Visa Office

Full details of the above requirements can be found at www.ukvisas.gov.uk
Parents and students should read all information very carefully to ensure they fully comply before submitting the application.

Original documents are required – faxes, photocopies, internet/email printouts do not meet the PBS Tier 4 requirements. The only exception is electronic bank statements which have been stamped on each page by the bank.

Once students have met the requirements, they should apply for their visas as soon as possible. Applications must be submitted on-line, where appointments to visit the Visa Section of the British Consulate General in Hong Kong must also be made.

To book an appointment
http://ukinhongkong.fco.gov.uk/en/visas/

Online application form for students outside the UK
http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/

Applicants should allow up to one month from when they book an appointment to lodge documents for the Visa to be approved and issued, and 15 working days after submitting their documents

The above time periods may be longer during the peak application period during August and September, so do start the process as soon as you can.

International students already studying in the UK prior to moving to a new institution in September will normally hold valid visas that expire at the end of October. These students are advised to seek an extension of stay in the UK rather than Hong Kong before October 31st. This will ensure they can arrive at the new institution for the start of term, without having to wait for A-level results and allow a month for the visa application process in Hong Kong before travelling. This will cost £357, compared with £145 for visas issued in Hong Kong. BNO passport holders will also need to pay the visa fee in the UK.

These students must be reminded that it is essential they renew the visa before end of October. If they wait until they return to Hong Kong in December their applications will be rejected and they will be unable to return to the UK to continue their studies.

Application forms for students within the UK
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/pbs-new-forms-for-students

The British Council has taken steps to ensure the accuracy of the above information at the time of publication on 2 September 2009. This is advice only and does not substitute any requirements and information detailed by the UK Border Agency.