PG Admission

Visa Application

Student Visas for Non-local Students

  1. With the exception of IANG or dependent visa holders, non-local applicants are required to obtain student visas (for international students) or entry permits (for students from Mainland China, Macao and Taiwan) to study in Hong Kong (hereafter the term “student visa” will refer to both types of entry documents). For Mainland Chinese applicants, exit endorsement (赴港簽注) from the Public Security Bureau office (where his/her household registration is kept) is required prior to their arrival to Hong Kong.
     
  2. Students who are currently studying at HKUST on student visas and want to enroll in a new program are required to apply for a new student visa. This includes MPhil students proceeding to study PhD after graduation.
     
  3. The Online Application System for Student Visa (Visa System) opens from March every year. Applicants can access the 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.
     
  4. Regardless of offer type (i.e. firm or conditional), applicants can apply for a student visa after they have accepted an offer.
     
  5. Once the visa application is approved, the visa label will be sent to the applicant via courier by FYTGS or the respective Program Office as appropriate. As student visas/entry permits should be activated within 3 months after they collected from HKSAR Immigration Department, the first collection for Fall Term is normally arranged in June to ensure they are valid until term commencement.
     
  6. For students who eventually decide not to take up studies at HKUST, FYTGS will notify the Hong Kong Immigration Department (IMMD) to void the visa labels.
     

Prepared by HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School
Jul 2020