SEA

The importance of having an international passport for international school admissions

An international passport can help with Hong Kong international school admissions, but it is only one factor and not an automatic barrier if your child holds only a Hong Kong passport. Key question: HK passport and accessMany “land grant” international schools must reserve at least 70% of places for non-local students (typically defined as students holding a […]

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Australia’s New Visa Priority System – And How to Avoid a Student Visa Refusal

From 14 November 2025, Australia introduced a new visa priority system under Ministerial Direction 115 that changes how offshore student visa applications are queued and processed. Your processing speed now depends heavily on the education provider you choose and where they sit in the government’s priority tiers. These changes apply to offshore applicants (for example,

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Unlock Your Australian Dream: Your Guide to the Skilled Work Regional (491) Visa

Thinking about relocating to Australia? The Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa is a great option, if you want to pursue a pathway to permanent residency via the skilled route. It is designed for applicants whose occupation is on an eligible skilled occupation list, such as the Regional Occupation List (ROL) or the Medium to

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The Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500): A Guide for International Students

Applying for an Australian student visa can feel overwhelming, understanding the key requirements will help you prepare confidently. Below is a clear breakdown of what you need to know before lodging your Subclass 500 Student Visa application. Requirements for the Student Visa (500) To apply for the 500 student visa, you must: • Apply from offshore (outside Australia) • Hold a valid Confirmation

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🏡 Helping Your Child Feel at Home in Australia: A Parent’s Guide to Choosing the Right Homestay

Sending your child overseas for study is a big step, and finding the right homestay can make all the difference. A safe and caring environment helps students settle in, adjust to a new culture, and focus on their studies with confidence. SEA has prepared these practical tips to help parents choose the right homestay for

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Why some kindergartens are closing, yet ESF is opening another 3 kindergartens

The birth rate is declining, kindergartens are closing. Yet, the news reports that ESF is opening 3 kindergartens – ESF Renaissance College Kindergarten (Sai Sha), Quarry Bay School Kindergarten (Kornhill) and West Kowloon.  Strategically, this is to the advantage of those looking for “through-train” schools. Sai Sha will align with Renaissance College, Kornhill will provide

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Why should applicants look at scholarships at international schools?

Many people are unaware of what a scholarship is, or how to go about applying for one. Most families are also unaware that international schools have an obligation as a condition of their land lease to provide scholarships and bursaries to the less fortunate. “Not less than ten percentage of the school’s total fee income

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Understanding Scholarships and Bursaries: A Recap of the Panel Discussion at the International School Scholarship Fair 2025

It was a great pleasure for the SEA Charitable Foundation to host the 5th Annual International School Scholarship Fair on Saturday, 4 October 2025. We were honoured to welcome our panellists:Mr. Daniel Boyd, Director, Kellett Outreach;Mr. Christopher Coates, School Director, American School Hong Kong;Mr. Edric Nazareno, student at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and alumnus

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SEN Students Have Choices: Big Support from International Schools!

SEN provisions in international school Over 70,000 students in Hong Kong local schools have been diagnosed with a form of Special Educational Needs (SEN). There is a growing number of students in international schools in Hong Kong who require additional support. Most of these students will have a diagnosis for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention

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