How to get a Hong Kong Student Visa

Published on January 28, 2010 by brooks | This story has been viewed 66 times
According to the immigration laws of Hong Kong, foreign students have to obtain a student visa before coming to Hong Kong, unless you have a permanent Hong Kong Identity (HKID) card. And you have to possess a valid student visa during your stay in Hong Kong.
The Office of Academic Links will assist you in applying for a student visa. The application procedures differ slightly for students of different nationalities.
Students with a PRC (People’s Republic of China) Passport / Identity Card:
• Submit application to Office of Academic Links (OAL)
• Receive student visa label from OAL
• Apply for Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao and relevant exit endorsement from the Public Security Bureau Office where your household registrations are kept
• Enter Hong Kong with Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao and student visa label
Students with a ROC (Taiwan) Passport:
• Submit visa application to Office of Academic Links (OAL)
• Receive student visa label from OAL
• Enter Hong Kong with passport and student visa label
• To exit and re-enter Hong Kong during your study, you will need to apply for a Multiple Re-entry Visa at the Immigration Department in Hong Kong
Students with Other Passports:
• Submit visa application to Office of Academic Links (OAL)
• Receive student visa label from OAL
• Enter Hong Kong with passport and student visa label
Visa Processing Time
It takes more than TWO MONTHS for the Hong Kong Immigration Department to issue a student visa. Students are responsible to prepare and provide the required documents for student visa application. Issurance of student visa is subject to the Hong Kong Immigration Department’s decision.
Visa Application
According to Hong Kong Immigration regulations, any person coming to Hong Kong to study must obtain a student visa before arrival. The IASP office can assist students in applying for the visa. To apply for a student visa, students are required to download, complete and return the VISA / ENTRY PERMIT APPLICATION FORM [ID(E)936A] and DECLARATION OF APPLICANT’S EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT [ID(E)936E] form together with required supporting documents to the IASP Office. Students are recommended to read through the Guidance Notes carefully before completing the forms.
Visa Processing Fee
A student visa processing fee is included in the invoice enclosed in the acceptance package. It covers visa application fees, courier expense for delivering visa label to student, and administration fees for producing certifying letter and sponsorship form. Students shold settle the fee as listed in the invoice.
Visa Delivery
When a student visa has been successfully processed, the student visa label will be sent to the address provided by the student in the “application for student visa sponsorship” form. If there are any changes to the address, the student should notify the IASP Office as soon as possible. If a student visa is returned to the IASP Office and/or redirected, the student will be responsible for the inevitable delay and all additional expenses.
Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card Holder
Those students who possess a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card (HKPIC) with three stars are not required to apply for a student visa according to the Hong Kong immigration regulations. However, they must submit a photocopy of the HKID card (both front and back) and national passport to the IASP Office by the deadline stated on the Checklist enclosed in the acceptance package.
For students who were born in Hong Kong but do not have a HKID card, they must apply for a student visa. They can apply for “Right of Abode” status and the HKID card at the Hong Kong Immigration Department upon arrival . For further details, students can visit the HK Immigration Department website.
Note
According to the Hong Kong immigration regulations, students are not permitted to seek and/or undertake and form of employment, paid or unpaid, during their studies at CUHK.

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