Non-local Students on Immigration Requirements

Non-local students who are studying at HKUST are reminded to note the expiry / validity of their student visa or other relevant documents such as dependent visa, IANG or work permit (of part-time students) enabling them to study in Hong Kong.  Students are required to take timely action to ensure that they have complied with immigration requirements.

As a general rule, unless a person has the right of abode or right to land in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, he/she requires a visa / entry permit to study in the Region.  For details, please refer to the website of the Hong Kong Immigration Department.

Change of visa status or expiry of visa may require a fresh application for student visa/ entry permit. Current students can apply for their visa/ entry permit through the University and Academic Registry can act as sponsor for the applications. Application documents should be submitted to the Academic Registry for dispatch to the Immigration Department. Students currently not in Hong Kong should submit the application to the following address around 8 weeks before their entry to Hong Kong.

Address of Academic Registry

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Academic Registry

Room 1381 Academic Building

Clear Water Bay Kowloon Hong Kong

(Attn: Program Registration)

An application fee (HK$330) will be charged by the Academic Registry and payment should be made at "Miscellaneous Purchases" via the Student Center upon the submission of  application to the Academic Registry. If the visa application is approved, a visa fee ($230) will be charged by the Immigration Department. Students will be notified via email to settle the visa fee online and then download the e-visa at the Immigration Department webpage.

Application details are available at https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/study.html.

Application together with supporting documents (including the latest testimonial issued by the Academic Registry) should be submitted to the Immigration Department direct 4 weeks before the current visa expires.

Application details are available at https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/faq/imm-policy-study.html (Q.10-Q.14). 

Non-local graduates may apply for to stay and work in Hong Kong within six months after the date of their graduation under the IANG. Application documents (including the Award Certification Letter issued by the Academic Registry) should be submitted to the Immigration Department direct.

Application details are available at https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/IANG.html.

Non-local students (holding a student visa) who have terminated the studies for any reasons before the completion of the program must leave Hong Kong within 4 weeks from the date of termination of the study. It is an immigration offence for breach of condition of stay if you fail to leave Hong Kong within the prescribed time. Please refer to the Immigration Department website https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/faq/imm-policy-study.html (Q.19) for details.