Chinese New Year Holidays

Please note, the British Consulate-General will be closed on Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 February 2010 for Chinese New Year.  The Visa Application Centre is not open for appointments or collections on those days.  The British Consulate-General will close at 15.30 on Friday 12 February.  Collection times are from 14.15 - 15.15 for Friday 12 February only.

Visa applications in Hong Kong

We accept applications from anyone who is applying for a visit visa for the UK. For all other types of application we accept applications ONLY from:

• holders of BN(O) passports
• holders of Hong Kong SAR or Macao SAR passports
• holders of Hong Kong SAR or Macao SAR travel documents
• those who are legally resident in Hong Kong or Macao
  

Students applying to study in the UK

Hong Kong students looking to study in the UK for more than 6 months need to apply for their visa through Tier 4 of the new streamlined Points Based System. To ensure a smooth and successful application process, as we head into the peak summer period for visa applications, we seek your full co-operation in providing the correct documents and complying fully with all Points Based System Tier 4 requirements. Failure to do so may result in your visa application being refused.  Go to our Student visas page for more information.

Former gurkha settlement in the UK

The UK Government announced on 21 May 2009 a revision to the policy for settlement in the UK for former Gurkhas. The visa application centre at the British Consulate-General now welcomes new applications for settlement from former Gurkhas who are legally resident in Hong Kong and Macao, either permanently, or in another long-stay category. We also welcome fresh applications from those who have applied unsuccessfully in the past and are not waiting for the outcome of an appeal against refusal of an application under the Armed Forces Rules. Go to our Former Gurkha settlement page for more information.

How do I submit my application?

Please complete an online application and book an appointment at our VAC through our online application service. You should then attend your appointment at our VAC to complete your biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) and submit your supporting documentation. Find out more about applying for a UK visa on our How do I apply page.

Where can I get information?

UK Border Agency and the British Consulate-General work in partnership to provide a visa service here in Hong Kong. This website has more information about applying in Hong Kong. You can also find guidance and more information on the website of the UK Border Agency International Group.

Contact details for our telephone and email enquiry service are listed on Contact us page.

Where can I get advice?

Our VAC staff cannot give you advice on how to complete your application, or what type of visa you should apply for. If you need help with your application or advice about the UK's immigration rules and requirements, you should seek advice from a qualified immigration adviser. In the UK these are immigration advisers regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner or legally qualified professionals regulated by designated professional bodies. Their websites are:

• Law Society of England and Wales
• Law Society of Scotland
• Law Society of Northern Ireland
• Institute of Legal Executives

Adverse weather - Information for visa applicants

In the event of the British Consulate-General being closed to the public due to adverse weather conditions, or any other unforeseen circumstance, customers with visa appointments for that date should attend our office, at their convenience, within the next 5 working days at the time of their original appointment and present their original appointment letter to ensure admittance to the British Consulate-General. Our staff will process such applications as soon as possible. Should applicants not be able to attend within 5 working days of the original appointment they should make another appointment through the online booking system.

Service standards - complaints and compliments

UKvisas aims to offer a fair and professional service to all our customers. We welcome feedback which tells us where we need to improve.

If you have any comments, or are converned about the standard of service you received, please let us know. We investigate all complaints fully and will send you a reply within 20 working days.

If you wish to provide feedback or complain about the service you received from the VAC at the British Consulate-General, please send an email to the entry clearance manager: manilavisaenquiries@fco.gov.uk

or write to:
Entry Clearance Manager
British Embassy
120 Upper McKinely Road
McKinley Hill
Taguig City 1634
Metro Manila
Philippines