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Who is a Non-Local Student?
A student holding one of the following documents is considered as a non-local student:
- Student visa/ entry permit; or
- Visa under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG); or
- Dependent visa/ entry permit, who were 18 years old or above when they were issued with such visa/ entry permit by the Director of Immigration.
- For more details on definition of non-local students, please visit here.
A non-local student is not allowed to pursue part-time research postgraduate studies (MPhil/PhD) in Hong Kong.
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Who Needs Student Visa/ Entry Permit?
Most non-local students are required to obtain a student visa (or entry permit for students from the Mainland of China, Macao and Taiwan) for studying in Hong Kong. If you are from the Mainland of China, you must apply for an entry permit via HKUST. If you are from Taiwan, Macao or an overseas country, it is the simplest and most straightforward for you to apply for a student visa/ entry permit via HKUST.
For students currently studying in Hong Kong (including HKUST), you will have to submit an application for the new program of study at HKUST.
However, you don’t need the student visa/ entry permit if you have one of the following for the period of study:
- (i) Right of Abode, (ii) Right to Land or (iii) “Unconditional Stay” status in Hong Kong. Check for the symbol “A”, “R” or “U” in the HKSAR smart ID.
- Dependent visa/ entry permit
- Visa under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG)
- Work permit (for part-time students only)
In case you are unsure whether you need a student visa/ entry permit or not, please check the FAQs or check with HKSAR Immigration Department (IMMD) [phone: (852) 2824 6111; email: enquiry@immd.gov.hk].
Steps for Student Visa/ Entry Permit Application via HKUST
1. Accept the Admission Offer Online |
2. Log in to the HKUST Visa System via the Online Admission System. Applicants with an accepted offer should find the link to the Visa System in the Application Summary or Offer Details page.
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3. Send Visa Application to HKUST
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4. HKUST Submits Your Application to IMMD
(Note: No need to pay the visa fee for downloading the e-Visa. The University will settle the fee on your behalf.) |
5. Before Coming to Hong Kong
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6. Activate the Visa Label upon Entry to Hong Kong
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Application Timeline
Visa application takes time. You are advised to arrive at HKUST two weeks before the program begins and you are allowed to register as a student only if you have obtained the student visa/ entry permit. The earlier you apply, the higher confidence level that you will receive the visa label in time.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You will not be able to register as a student if you fail to obtain the student visa/ entry permit in time.
| MPhil, PhD, MSc, MA, MPM, MPP, PGD |
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| Fall Admission: March or soonest possible Spring Admission: Mid-October or soonest possible |
| Exchange Program, PG Visiting Student Program and Visiting Internship |
|---|
| Apply right after you have accepted the admission offer |
| DBA, EMBA, MBA, HKUST-NYU MSc in Global Finance |
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| Respective program office will advise you the details separately |
It is important to submit your application early to ensure that you can obtain the visa/ entry permit in time for program commencement.
The following shows the rough timeline based on our past experience. This is for reference purpose only. The processing and approval processes rest with the HKSAR Immigration Department (IMMD) and situation may vary from case to case.
| Properly Completed Visa Application submitted by Student in : | Expected Visa Issuance from the Hong Kong Immigration Department in : |
|---|---|
| March, April and Early May | June |
| Late May | July |
| June | Mid-August |
| July | Mid to late August |