Hong Kong Student Visa Process — Step-by-Step Guide

Hong Kong is a premier regional campus for higher education, combining world-class universities, industry engagement and a small, cosmopolitan city that’s comfortable to navigate. If you aim to study in Hong Kong, and you should, it is important to rationalize the Hong Kong student visa process early on: the Hong Kong student visa process is not a simple bureaucratic step; it is your legal stay, your work rights while studying, and what leads you to extend and/or postgraduate. This guide will aim to lead you step by step through the Hong Kong student visa application process, address Hong Kong student visa requirements (2025), clarify costs and work conditions, and provide some practical advice for students coming from India and elsewhere. All claim are drawn from original official guidance from the Hong Kong Immigration Department and university practice notes so you will be getting the most accurate and current information available.

Quick overview — what the Hong Kong student visa does (and does not)

A visa (or entry permit) for study in Hong Kong allows non-local students to enter and stay in the HKSAR for a stated course of study. The visa is issued for the normal duration of the course, subject to maxima set out by Immigration, and it has some conditions of stay – that is, you have to study at the institution named; in the course approved by the institution and in the course approved by Immigration. Working is usually prohibited unless there is a No Objection Letter (NOL) issued by Immigration or a temporary policy in place. The Director of Immigration has the discretionary power regarding admission or extension of stay, and the process must be handled carefully.

Who should apply 

If you are a non-local person intending to pursue full-time study in Hong Kong (degree programmes, diploma and some long-term courses) you will need to apply for a Hong Kong student visa. Exchange and short-term visitors may have different arrangements, while anyone who does not have the right of abode or right to land will still need to obtain an entry permit for study in advance of travelling to Hong Kong. Most universities will assist and liaise with the Immigration Department on behalf of the incoming non-local student.

Core Hong Kong student visa requirements (documents you must prepare)

Although individual cases differ, the Immigration Department’s typical documentation package requested of non-local students consists of:

1. A completed application form (form ID 995A for entry for studies; ID 91 for local paper submissions when acceptable) 
2. Valid passport (validity should be a minimum of that recommended by the admitting institution) 
3. Official letter of admission/offer from the Hong Kong institution, verifying acceptance either conditioned or unconditional, the start date of the course and length of the programme
4. Proof of finances — bank statements, letters of awarding of scholarship, sponsor affidavit or other proof confirming your ability to pay tuition and cost of living 
5. Relevant academic transcripts, academic certificates, and CV, where requested 
6. Recent passport-sized photographs (as specified)
7. Proof of accommodation or letter from the university regarding housing and on-campus arrangements (if required)
8. Where applicable, a sponsorship letter or declaration from an employer or guardian
9. Translations certified as such into English or Chinese for any documents that may be in another language.

Universities may also ask for additional documents unique to that institution, and they may even centralise submission through their Academic Registry. Follow any instructions included with your admission materials, and follow the instructions from the university’s checklist closely.

4. Step-by-step: How to apply for Hong Kong student visa (the practical sequence)

Below is a practical, sequential workflow you should follow.

Step 1 — Accept the offer & check university guidance

After you receive an offer, closely examine the university’s “non-local student” or “admissions” pages. Many Hong Kong institutions (HKU, CUHK, HKUST, among others) have internal processes to collect visa documents and submit applications to Immigration Department on behalf of students. If your institution has this option for you, obey their instructions; this is usually the best approach to avoid mistakes and to help you receive a response faster.  

Step 2 — Gather required documents

Start pulling the checklist located in Section 3 together. Be sure to get certified translations of any education documents that are not in English or Chinese, bank statements demonstrating sufficient funds, and the completed ID 995A (or the online version if the university may have an e-system). Delays are mostly caused by missing or inconsistent documents.

Step 3 — Submit through the university or directly online

Most students who are not residents of the locality will submit their applications through their admitting university (Academic Registry) acting as the sponsor to speed the applications to the Immigration Department. If you are applying independently (short programmes or a special case), you will submit your application using the official online submission portal that is provided on GovHK / ImmD. An applicant applying from India should consult with the international office at their university since they will be processed as indicated above, and must ensure that all documents match exactly to the details in the passport.

Step 4 — Pay the application fee (when requested)

If your application is approved, you will receive a link from the Immigration Department to pay the application/issuance fee. Note: fee structure for certain schemes changed in 2025 – see Section 6. Payments can be made by credit card, FPS, Alipay/WeChat and/or in person in Hong Kong for certain applicants. Please retain your receipts, as application and issuance fees are generally non-refundable.

Step 5 — Receive the e-Visa / No Objection Letter (NOL)

Once your application is approved and payment is made, you will typically receive an e-Visa (to be downloaded) and, if applicable, a No Objection Letter (NOL) that indicates specifically what type of employment is allowed (internship, on-campus, part-time, summer jobs). Print and keep these documents; you will need them upon arrival in Hong Kong.

Applying from India 

For those applying for a Hong Kong student visa in India, the steps are largely similar in substance but you need to pay attention to operational details:

• To start early, you should be in secure dialogue with your admitting university’s international office. Indian applicants tend to rely on universities to submit to ImmD. Several universities request that documentation be sent to their Academic Registry in their office in Hong Kong for forwarding. 
• Some applicants are required to visit a Chinese consulate/embassy for biometrics or in serious exceptions. Check what your local consulate’s site states if your university advises you. 
• The processing time (see next section) may be impacted by the speed in the post and the high peak demand, which Indian applicants should factor in to build in extra time, especially in the summer intake.

Hong Kong student visa cost 

Understanding the cost structure is essential:

• Application / issuance fees: In the past, the Immigration Department used to charge a nominal issuance fee (commonly reported as HK$230 in older guidelines). However, in February 2025, the Hong Kong government changed fees for certain admission schemes: a new non-refundable application fee of HK$600, and increasing issuance fees of HK$1300 (for visas of more than 180 days) to HK$600 (for visas for 180 days or less). Check if your scheme is covered under the revised fee schedule.
• University administrative fees: Some universities impose an internal administrative fee for managing visa paperwork (for example, HKUST, HKU and others have minimal service fees or payment collection fees). The fee varies by institution and is charged in HKD through the student portal.
• Other costs: document certification/notarisation, translation costs, any courier/postal costs to send documents to and from India and Hong Kong, passport validity renewal, and any health checks requested by the university. Include these in your budget. 

Bottom line: consider you will need to plan for the government levy (HK$600–HK$1,300 depending on the band the issuance fee falls into) plus institution administrative fees and incidental costs. Again, it is always prudent to check the recent university admissions guidance and the government fee table before paying.

Processing time 

Processing times vary by case and time of year:

• The official Immigration Department guidance indicates that routine applications will normally be finalised within two to three weeks upon receipt of all necessary documents. However, ImmD also cautions that processing may lengthen during the summer “rush” (June–August).
  
• University practice notes and FAQs often advise applicants to allow 6-12 weeks (or 8-10 for some summer programmes) to give time for documentation submission, institutional processing and ImmD decision – this is the practical advice many admissions offices give to ensure applicants are not late. For example, HKU and HKUST guidelines regularly state to apply to their programmes 10-12 weeks before the start of registration.
  

Recommendation: submit documents to your university as soon as you accept the offer and target an overall lead time of 8–12 weeks where possible, even if ImmD’s routine internal turnaround is faster.

Work while studying — what the visa permits (2025 position)

Work rights on a student visa are conditional and have seen recent, important temporary policy changes:

• Non-local students are generally not permitted to take up employment without the Director of Immigration’s prior permission. For curriculum-related internships or designated on-campus jobs, ImmD issues a No Objection Letter (NOL) that defines permissible employment.
  
• Recent temporary policy (trial basis): Beginning 1 November 2024, the Hong Kong government temporarily exempted full-time non-local undergraduate students from restrictions on part-time jobs (and previously for certain postgraduates), allowing eligible students to take up part-time employment without limits on hours or location — a trial measure intended to improve graduates’ work exposure. Eligible students receive an NOL that sets out the details. Check whether the trial remains active for your intake (the government reviews and can extend/modify the policy).
  
• Institutional practice varies: universities publish guidance about on-campus working hours and conditions (some set internal caps for campus posts). Always keep your NOL and e-Visa on file and check university-issued rules before accepting employment.

Extensions, transfers and termination of studies

• Extensions: Should the need arise to extend your permit to complete studies, you must apply for an extension of stay at least four weeks in advance of your visa’s expiry. Extensions will normally be approved for the duration of your programme (typically year on year). 
• Transfers: If you wish to transfer to a different course, or institution, you must inform ImmD immediately and, if required, apply for a new entry for study. Should you change your status without informing ImmD, it may be treated as an immigration offence. Immigration Department Hong Kong. 
• Termination: If your studies are terminated before the completion of your course, non-local students would usually be required to leave Hong Kong within a short period (i.e., four weeks). This is strictly enforced.

Common pitfalls and pro tips

• Don’t rely on hearsay about fees — the fee schedule changed in 2025; check the official fee table and your university’s admissions note for the precise amount to pay.
  
• Certify translations properly — ImmD requires translations certified by sworn/court translators or equivalent; casual translations are often rejected.
  
• Use university forwarding where available — when universities act as sponsors, they usually spot errors and reduce delays. 
• Keep buffer time — aim for 8–12 weeks in total lead time, especially for Indian applicants in peak seasons.
• Safeguard your NOL and e-Visa — these documents define your employment rights and entry record; store printed and digital copies.

Conclusion

The Hong Kong student visa application process is simple and uncomplicated if you are organized and fully prepare in advance when you follow the instructions from your university and take sufficient time. The two most important practical rules are: 1. completeness of documents (everything must be certified translations, there must be valid financial proof, forms must be completed correctly, etc.), and 2. lead time (you should aim to have 8-12 weeks from acceptance to onboarding at your university). For students applying from India, working closely with your institution’s admissions or international office should make the submission straightforward and there should be no avoidable delays with their assistance. For trusted current instructions – always check the Hong Kong Immigration Department or your admitting university’s immigration guidance pages.

FAQs — Hong Kong student visa

Q1: What is the current processing time for a Hong Kong student visa application?

Ans.  Officially routine applications are normally finalised within two to three weeks after ImmD receives complete documentation. Practically, universities recommend allowing 6–12 weeks to accommodate institutional handling and peak season delays.

Q2: How much does a Hong Kong student visa cost in 2025?

Ans.  Fee structures were revised effective 26 Feb 2025 for certain schemes: a non-refundable application fee HK$600, and visa issuance fees HK$1,300 for visas valid >180 days or HK$600 for ≤180 days. Universities may add administrative charges — check your offer pack and the official fee table.

Q3: Can I work in Hong Kong while studying on a student visa?

Ans.  Employment is restricted unless authorised. For internships, on-campus part-time posts and summer jobs, ImmD issues a No Objection Letter (NOL) defining permitted work. From Nov 1, 2024, a trial policy temporarily allowed eligible full-time non-local undergraduates to take part-time jobs without strict hour limits — confirm the current status for your intake.

Q4: How do I apply for a Hong Kong student visa from India?

Ans.  Coordinate with your admitting university’s international office — they commonly collect documents and submit the application to ImmD on your behalf. If applying independently, follow the ImmD online submission instructions and verify whether your local Chinese consulate has any additional procedural requirements. Allow extra time for international document exchange.

Q5: How do I extend my Hong Kong student visa?

Ans.  Apply for an extension within four weeks before your current permitted stay expires. Submit an extension application with updated supporting documents that demonstrate you still meet the eligibility criteria (continuing enrolment, financial means). Extensions are typically yearly or aligned with programme duration.