Student Visa Application

The Immigration Ordinance of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) stipulates that unless a person has the right of abode or right to land in the HKSAR, s/he requires a valid visa/entry permit from the Immigration Department to study in the HKSAR.

Students are reminded that it is your responsibility to ensure you hold a valid visa/entry permit from the Immigration Department at all times during your stay in HKSAR, failing which you may face the risk of being prosecuted for breach of condition of stay.

Non‐local students who are not in possession of any valid visa/entry permit to study in the HKSAR are required to apply for a student visa. The application process normally takes around 6‐8 weeks and may take longer during the summer peak season. 

Students who would like to apply for a dependant visa for their spouse or unmarried dependant children under the age of 18 are required to submit the application directly to the Immigration Department.

Students should refer to the Guidebook for Entry for Study in Hong Kong for more information.

Students who are currently holding other type of visa valid for study in Hong Kong, please login to the Online Application System, navigate to “Visa for Study”, and follow the steps to provide relevant information.

Non‐local students who are unable to present a valid visa at the time of registration will not be allowed to register.
 

Application Timeline
  • At least 2 months before commencement of study

Students are advised to complete Student Visa Application Submission via the Online Application System at least 2 months before commencement of study. 
 

 

Student Visa Application Process

Step 1

Submit Application

  • Login to the Online Application System, navigate to “Visa for Study”, follow the steps to complete and submit an Visa application. 
  • Ensure successful payment of the University Handling Fee.
Step 2

Check Submission Status

Step 3

Check Visa Approval Status and Download e-Visa

  • The Immigration Department will issue the electronic version of “Notification Slip for Entry Visa / Permit” (e-Visa) once the application is approved. Students may check visa application status from The Immigration Department Website.
  • Follow the instructions on the Notification Slip to pay the Visa fee directly to IMMD and collect/download the “e-Visa” and all relevant letters
  • After collecting the “e-Visa” and relevant letters, check and ensure ALL information on documents is accurate. If there are any discrepancies, please send an enquiry to Graduate School (email: pgadmit@cuhk.edu.hk) for assistance 
  • Indicate successful download of the “e-Visa” and confirm correctness of ALL information on the “e-Visa” and relevant letters via the Online Application System 
  • The “e-Visa” approved by the Immigration Department is only valid for entering Hong Kong within 3 months upon collection.  Students should pay attention to the expiry date stated on your “e-Visa” and activate it within the validity period. 
Step 4

Activate the “e-Visa”

  • Students from Chinese Mainland: 
    • apply for an “Exit‐entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao” (EEP) (往來港澳通行證) with the relevant “exit endorsement” issued by the relevant Public Security Bureau Office in the Chinese Mainland.
    • Upon arrival, present your valid travel document (EEP), the relevant “exit endorsement” (if applicable) and "e-Visa" (digital or printed), and scan the encrypted QR code on the "e-Visa" at an immigration counter.
  • Students from overseas: 
    • Upon arrival, present your valid travel document (Passport) and "e-Visa" (digital or printed), and scan the encrypted QR code on the "e-Visa" at an immigration counter.
  • “e-Visa" will be activated upon arrival in Hong Kong. Please take note of the Non‐stamping Immigration Clearance Arrangement for Hong Kong Non‐permanent Residents. 
  • A landing slip will be issued to you upon arrival. Keep the landing slip as it is a proof of your condition of stay in Hong Kong.

Please pay attention to the “permit to remain” date stated on your landing slip. Non-local students who will continue their studies in the programme but their visas/entry permits will soon expire should apply afresh/extension of a valid visa/entry permit which allows them to continue their studies in the programme at CUHK. 

 

Non-local students who are already in Hong Kong 

It is the requirement of the Immigration Department that non-local students already in Hong Kong must exit and re-enter Hong Kong to activate the new student visa.

 

List of Supporting Documents for Student Visa Application

List of Supporting Documents for Student Visa Application

  1. Original Form ID995A (Sample)

  2. Copy of the identify document(s):

    • Students from Chinese Mainland:

      • People’s Republic of China Resident Identity Card (front and back)

      • Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macau (往來港澳通行證) (if applicable)

      • Passport (if applicable)

    • Students from Macao:

      • Macao Identity Card (front and back)

      • Visit Permit for Residents of Macao SAR to HKSAR (澳門居民往來香港特別行政區旅遊證)

      • Passport (if applicable)

    • Students from Taiwan:

      • Taiwan Identity Card (front and back pages)

      • Passport (if applicable)

      • Household Registration Transcript (front and back pages) (台灣戶籍影印本)

    • Students from other countries/regions:

      • Passport

  3. A copy of the Admission Notification.

  4. A copy of the Letter of Award of your Postgraduate Studentship (only for Research Postgraduate Students who have been awarded a studentship).

  5. Evidence of your financial standing to prove that you will be able to support your study and living in Hong Kong, e.g. a clear copy of bank statements, savings account passbooks or tax receipts.

    Research postgraduate students who are awarded a studentship are not required to provide evidence of their financial standing.

    For taught postgraduate students, if the financial proof belongs to a person who will support you financially, please also provide:

    • proof of the relationship between you and that person, e.g. birth certificate, marriage certificate; and

    • an undertaking signed by that person that s/he will support you financially.

For part-time students, please provide the following additional documents:

  1. a plan of your travel between Hong Kong and your place of residence. As per the Immigration Department, part-time student visa holders are restricted to an accumulated maximum of 160 days in Hong Kong per year;
  2. explanation on why you select to study the Programme at this University instead of programmes in your home country/region;
  3. an undertaking that you will depart from Hong Kong after you complete the programme; and
  4. a support letter from your current employer, if applicable.

For the following groups of students, please complete the Application for Visa Sponsorship form and submit along with the full set of visa application documents:

  • Current students
  • CUHK(SZ) students enrolled in the CUHK-CUHK(SZ) Course/Subject Enrolment Scheme

For more information, please consult the FAQs (Admissions) section.