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Study — Student Visa/Entry Permit (學生簽證)
Hong KongHong Kong•Asia
Open

Study — Student Visa/Entry Permit (學生簽證)

Study

At a Glance

Processing Time

1 month

Estimated Cost

HKD $600

Stay Duration

1 year

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Not specified

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information

Overview

Study permit for full-time students admitted to accredited Hong Kong institutions; duration matches programme length (max 6 years) with restricted work authorization.

Hong Kong's Entry Permit for Study enables international students to pursue full-time academic programmes at locally accredited post-secondary institutions and registered schools. Issued by the Immigration Department, this visa requires unconditional admission and demonstrated financial capacity to cover tuition and living expenses without working.

Applications take approximately 6 weeks to process; extensions take 2–3 weeks. The application fee is HKD 600. Students may remain for their programme duration, up to 6 years for full-time post-secondary or 12 months for other courses. Work is restricted: curriculum internships, on-campus part-time work (up to 20 hours weekly), and June–August unrestricted hours are permitted. Spouses cannot work.

This visa is ideal for international university and college students who have secured admission to a Hong Kong institution and can demonstrate financial support for their entire study duration.

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant1 year

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

IANG — Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (非本地畢業生留港/回港就業安排)
Hong Kong flagHong Kong

IANG — Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (非本地畢業生留港/回港就業安排)

Validity2 years
Processing2–4 weeks
View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must have been accepted by a locally accredited educational institution for a full-time course.

Must be able to meet the tuition fees and living expenses for the duration of the stay without working.

Must have a local sponsor (usually the educational institution or an individual resident).

Must have no security objection and no record of serious crime.

Must hold a valid travel document (passport) with at least 6 months validity beyond the intended stay.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

high_school or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid travel document (passport)

Recent photograph

Letter of acceptance from the educational institution

Proof of financial capacity to cover tuition fees and living expenses without working

Sponsor's documentation (ID card if individual sponsor, or school chop if institution sponsor)

For minors: guardian consent letter and proof of accommodation in Hong Kong

For accompanying dependants: valid travel documents and proof of relationship

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Clear academic pathway with 6-year maximum stay for post-secondary programmes (undergrad and postgrad)
  • Authorized work options: on-campus part-time (up to 20 hrs/week) + curriculum internships
  • Unrestricted summer work permitted (1 June–31 August) during academic breaks
  • Transition path to employment via IANG (Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates)
  • Straightforward application process through two standard forms (ID 995A/B)
  • Predictable 6-week processing time for most applications
  • No nationality restrictions — available to students from all countries

Worth Knowing

  • Work strictly restricted to three categories: on-campus part-time, summer breaks, or specific authorized internships
  • Requires unconditional admission from accredited institution before visa application
  • Financial proof of tuition + living expenses mandatory; cannot rely on employment income
  • Visa validity tied to enrollment status; withdrawal ends legal residency immediately
  • Internship duration capped at 1 academic year or one-third of programme (whichever shorter)
  • Spouse cannot work independently; only student may be authorized for limited activities
  • Dependents (if any) must have separate visas and meet own admissibility requirements

Application Process

1

Obtain unconditional admission from a locally accredited educational institution or registered school.

2

Applicant completes Form ID 995A (Application for Entry for Study in Hong Kong).

3

Sponsor (educational institution or individual resident) completes Form ID 995B.

4

Submit completed forms ID 995A and ID 995B with all supporting documents to the Immigration Department.

5

Pay the applicable visa/entry permit fee.

6

Processing normally takes 6 weeks upon receipt of all required documents.

7

Upon approval, download or print the e-Visa.

Application Forms

Go to application portal
ID 995A
Application for Entry for Study in Hong Kong (to be completed by the applicant)
Fill online
ID 995B
Application for Entry for Study — Sponsor (to be completed by the sponsor)
Fill online

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