Student Visa - Important Notes and Application Guidelines

Important Notes

  1. All students without the right of abode/right to land in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) must apply for a HKSAR student visa for the purpose of education. It is the responsibility of individual students to make appropriate visa arrangement before they come to Hong Kong.
  2. All student visa applicants are required to have a local sponsor. Students coming to HKU for study* should nominate the Admissions Office of Registry (AO) as your visa sponsor by completing the online visa application, and returning the full set of hardcopies to AO.
  3. Please refer to the application procedure under “Application Guidelines”.
  4. For any documents which are not in Chinese or English, a certified translation in Chinese or English is required.
  5. The completed ID995A form, together with the full set of supporting documents required should be sent to the Admissions Office (AO-overseas), G14, G/F, Main Building, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong by courier/registered mail.
  6. The whole processing time can be up to 8-10 weeks upon receipt of a complete set of application documents sent by courier/registered mail (the actual processing time could be longer for individual cases, especially if your set of documents are incomplete).
  7. Please read carefully the Personal Information Collection Statement and the General Data Protection Regulation before submitting your visa application.
  8. AO is not responsible for any delay/cancellation/failure in individual student's application. The visa sponsorship fees paid are non-refundable under all circumstances.
  9. For enquiries, please visit our website: https://www.studentvisa.hku.hk/.
    *If you are a Mainland Chinese citizen, you should apply here: https://studentvisa-mainland.hku.hk

  10. All information on the website will be updated from time to time without prior notice.

Application Guidelines

1. Application procedure

  1. Applicant receives a conditional/confirmed offer of admission
  2. Applicant prepares for required documents to proceed with the online visa application
  3. Applicant uploads all the required documents and settles an application fee
  4. AO checks the documents
  5. Applicant uploads revised or outstanding document(s) (if required)
  6. AO confirms the documents
  7. Applicant sends the complete set of application documents to AO by courier/registered mail
  8. AO submits the application to ImmD
  9. ImmD processes the application in 8-10 weeks and releases results
  10. Applicant may need to upload additional document(s) during the process
  11. Applicant confirms address for delivery of the visa label/entry permit
  12. AO sends the visa label/entry permit by courier
  1. Applicant receives a confirmed offer of admission
  2. Applicant prepares for required documents to proceed with the online visa application
  3. Applicant uploads all the required documents and settles an application fee
  4. AO checks the documents
  5. Applicant uploads revised or outstanding document(s) (if required)
  6. AO confirms the documents
  7. AO issues a supporting letter in Chinese
  8. Applicant submits visa application directly to local Chinese Embassy ImmD then contacts AO directly to receive a completed ID995B form
  9. ImmD informs Chinese Embassy about the application results
  10. Applicant collects visa label at Chinese Embassy

*Nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, Korea (Democratic People's Republic of), Nepal and Vietnam
(for details, please refer to http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/study.html#firstTab).

2. Types of application

Processing Time
  • The whole processing time can be up to 8-10 weeks.
    Remarks: The processing time can be longer (more than 10 weeks) for applicants from other specified countries*.
  • Application via local Chinese Embassy: The whole processing time can be longer than 8-10 weeks.
Required Documents
  1. a completed official visa application form ID995A
  2. a photocopy of complete set of conditional or confirmed offer of admission
  3. a photocopy of passport (make sure the validity of your passport is long enough to cover your whole study period; otherwise you will need to apply for a visa extension at least 4 weeks before your student visa expires)
  4. a photocopy of CV or resume (not applicable for applicants on elective, exchange or visiting programmes)
  5. photocopies of financial proofs (to demonstrate that you have adequate means to finance your stay in HK) (e.g. latest bank statements in English / Chinese, award letter(s) of financial aid or scholarship, etc.)
Additional documents required:
[for applicants from Macao]
  • a photocopy of Macao identity card and Visit Permit for the Residents of Macao SAR to Hong Kong SAR (澳門居民往來香港特別行政區旅遊證)
[for applicants under age of 18]
  • a signed form of nomination of guardian with a photocopy of parent's passport (and a photocopy of guardian's HKID, if any) (one of your parents should authorize a relative / friend in Hong Kong or the University to be your guardian)
[for applicants from other specified countries]
  • photocopies of academic proofs (e.g. certificates, testimonials, official transcripts, etc.)
  • a signed personal statement on reasons for studying at The University of Hong Kong and plans after completion of studies
  • a photocopy of CV or resume
[for applicants pursuing part-time study]
  • a signed study and travel plan
  • a class time-table
Visa Sponsorship Fee
  • Application via AO: HK$990
  • Application via local Chinese Embassy: HK$350 (applicants need to bear additional administration fees charged by the Embassy)
Payment Method

Settle the fee via online payment gateway using credit card (Visa/Master/Union Pay)

Visa Label Collection (for application via AO only)

After ImmD approves your application, AO will inform you the result by email and arrange for pick-up of your visa label. Please login to your online visa application account and confirm your address. The student visa label/entry permit will be sent to you by courier (e.g. DHL/ FedEx/ UPS).

Entry Arrangement

You are required to present the entry student visa label affixed on your travel document at the immigration counter of the entry port. A landing slip with information listed below will be issued to you.

  1. Student – Permitted to remain until “dd/mm/yyyy”
  2. Studying the approved course at THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
  3. Your English name
  4. Travel document number
  5. Arrival date

Please make sure the word “Student” is printed on your landing slip.

You are advised to staple the landing slip to your travel document and NOT TO LOSE IT throughout your stay in Hong Kong. You are required to provide a copy of the visa label and landing slip for student visa extension application (if applicable).

For details, please refer to: http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/useful_information/non-stamping-immigration-clearance.html.

It is the responsibility of individual students to maintain a valid and legitimate visa status throughout the whole study period in Hong Kong. Should there be any circumstantial or personal changes leading to termination of your prevailing visa status, you are required to report the changes immediately to ImmD, and to apply for a new visa for study. Pursuing study without a valid visa in Hong Kong is regarded as a breach of law.

Processing Time

Application via AO: The whole processing time can be up to 8-10 weeks.

Required Documents
  1. a completed official visa application form ID995A
  2. a photocopy of complete set of conditional or confirmed offer of admission
  3. a photocopy of CV or resume (履歷表)
  4. a photocopy of Taiwan identity card
  5. a photocopy of passport (make sure the validity of your passport is long enough to cover your whole study period; otherwise you will need to apply for visa extension at least 4 weeks before your visa expires)
  6. a photocopy of household registration in Taiwan (台灣戶籍謄本)
  7. photocopies of academic proofs (e.g. certificates, testimonials, official transcripts, etc.) (學歷證明或在學證明複印本)
  8. photocopies of financial proofs (to demonstrate that you have adequate means to finance your stay in HK) (e.g. latest bank statements in English / Chinese, award letter(s) of financial aid or scholarship, etc.)
  9. a signed personal statement on reasons for studying at The University of Hong Kong and plans after completion of studies
Additional documents required:
[for applicants under age of 18]
  • a signed form of nomination of guardian with photocopy of parent's passport (and guardian's HKID copy, if any) (one of your parents should authorize a relative / friend in Hong Kong or the University to be your guardian)
[for applicants pursuing part-time study]
  • a signed study and travel plan
  • a class time-table
  • a photocopy of the ‘Declaration of Identity for Visa Purposes' (入境身分陳述書) issued by the Notary of Public
Visa Sponsorship Fee

HK$990

Payment Method

Settle the fee via online payment gateway using credit card (Visa/Master/Union Pay)

Visa Label Collection

After ImmD approves your application, AO will inform you the result by email and arrange for pick-up of your student visa label/entry permit. Please login to your online visa application account and confirm your address. The student visa label/entry permit will be sent to you by courier (e.g. DHL/ FedEx/ UPS).

Entry Arrangement

You are required to present your Taiwanese passport and the single journey entry permit* at the immigration counter of the entry port. A landing slip with information listed below will be issued to you:

  1. Student – Permitted to remain until “dd/mm/yyyy”
  2. Studying the approved course at THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
  3. Your English name
  4. Travel document number
  5. Arrival date

*For Taiwanese student pursuing part-time study in Hong Kong, please present also the multiple-journey entry permit label affixed on your "Declaration of Identity for Visa Purposes" issued by the Notary of Public.

Please make sure the word “Student” is printed on your landing slip.

You are advised to staple the landing slip to your travel document and NOT TO LOSE IT throughout your stay in Hong Kong. You are required to provide a copy of the visa label and landing slip for student visa extension application (if applicable).

For details, please refer to: http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/useful_information/non-stamping-immigration-clearance.html.

It is the responsibility of individual students to maintain a valid and legitimate visa status throughout the whole study period in Hong Kong. Should there be any circumstantial or personal changes leading to termination of your prevailing visa status, you are required to report the changes immediately to ImmD, and to apply for a new visa for study. Pursuing study without a valid visa in Hong Kong is regarded as a breach of law.

Application Guidelines for a supporting letter for extension of student visa
General Information
  1. Non-local students are required to possess a valid student visa to study in HKSAR.
  2. Non-local students with limit of stay shorter than the normal duration of their study programme should apply for a student visa extension.
  3. Students are required to submit their application for visa extension to the Extension Section of Hong Kong Immigration Department (for overseas students) one month before the expiry of their current student visa. For PRC mainland students, please apply through another application system: https://studentvisa-mainland.hku.hk.
  4. Under normal circumstances, the Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD) will take around 2-3 weeks to process an extension of student visa. You have to be in Hong Kong in person to complete the application.
  5. It is the responsibility of individual students to make appropriate visa extension arrangements before they can continue to study in HKSAR.
Supporting Letter for Student Visa Extension
  1. Among the many documents that you need to submit to the Hong Kong Immigration Department for your visa extension is a supporting letter from AO. You have to submit to AO the following documents when you apply for a supporting letter for student visa extension in the online system:
    • a completed form to confirm on your study status for student visa extension (to be completed by your Faculty/Department)
    • a photocopy of your HKU student card
    • a photocopy of your Hong Kong Identity card (if applicable)
    • a photocopy of passport/travel document pages showing your personal particulars
    • a photocopy of passport/travel document pages with the latest visa/entry permit label/arrival stamp/landing slip/extension of stay label in the HKSAR
    Note 1 : Mainland students enrolled in undergraduate courses, taught postgraduate courses, exchange and short term programmes should apply here.
  2. Under normal circumstances, the supporting letter from AO is ready for collection within 3 working days (excluding the day you submitted an application) upon receipt of the complete set of the above-mentioned documents.
  3. AO is not responsible for any delay/cancellation/failure in the student's application for the extension of a student visa.
  4. Please read the Personal Information Collection Statement and the General Data Protection Regulation before signing the application for supporting letter for visa extension.
  5. The information on student visa extension matters will be updated at any time without prior notice.