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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Immigration Policy on Education

	Eligibility Criteria and Application
	Entry and Travelling Arrangement
	Extension of Stay
	Change of Educational Institutions/Programmes and Termination of Study
	Employment during the Study Programme
	Employment after the Completion of Studies
	Application for Entry of Dependants and Related Extension of Stay
	Loss of EEP

Eligibility Criteria and Application

Entry and Travelling Arrangement

Q3:	What are the entry arrangements for students from overseas, Macao and Taiwan who are approved to take up their studies in Hong Kong?
A3:	Successful students from overseas and Macao will be issued with a self-adhesive visa/entry permit label which is collected from Other Visas and Permits Section by the sponsor for onward transmission to the student.  The student must affix the visa label onto their travel documents or "Visit Permit for Residents of Macao to HKSAR"(for Macao students only) and enter Hong Kong on strength of the document.  Full-time students from Taiwan will be issued with a single-journey entry permit which is collected from Other Visas and Permits Section by the sponsor for onward transmission to the student.  The student must enter Hong Kong on strength of the entry permit.  Part-time students from Taiwan will be issued with a multiple-journey entry permit label.  The multiple-journey entry permit label is to be affixed onto the student's Declaration of Identity for Visa Purposes, of which the student has to furnish to the Immigration Department with a copy upon application.
Q4:	What are the entry arrangements for Mainland students who are approved to take up their studies in Hong Kong?
A4:	Successful applicants from the Mainland will be issued with a self-adhesive entry permit label which is collected from the Quality Migrants and Mainland Residents Section by the educational institution for onward transmission to the student. Mainland student should apply for an "Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao" (EEP) and a relevant exit endorsement from the Public Security Bureau office where his/her household registration is kept. The entry permit label should be affixed onto a blank endorsement page of the EEP for arrival clearance upon entry to Hong Kong.
Q5:	Can I affix the entry permit label onto my PRC passport instead of the EEP?
A5:	It is inappropriate to affix the entry permit label onto the PRC passport or other travel documents. You should follow the procedures mentioned at A4.
Q6:	If a Taiwan full-time student has entered Hong Kong to take up studies on strength of a single entry permit, what documents can he apply to facilitate his future travel to and from Hong Kong?
A6:	After entering Hong Kong on strength of the single entry permit, Taiwan students may apply for a "Multiple Entry Permit" (MEP) and transfer of endorsement onto the MEP to facilitate the future travel to and from Hong Kong.

Extension of Stay

Q7:	When & how to apply for extension of stay to continue with my studies in Hong Kong?
A7:	Applications will normally be accepted 4 weeks before the limit of stay expires. You may apply in person or authorise in writing a representative to submit the application. However, you must be physically in Hong Kong on the date of submission and on the date of collection of the visa label. Mainland students may submit the applications to the Quality Migrants and Mainland Residents Section, Immigration Department, 9/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Students other than those from the Mainland may submit their applications to the Extension Section, Immigration Department, 5/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong or any Immigration Office (except Hong Kong Island Travel Documents Issuing Office).
Q8:	What documents are required for me to apply for extension of stay for pursuing the same course of study?
A8:	The following documents are normally required when submitting an extension of stay application: (i) a duly completed application form ID91; (ii) applicant's travel document; (iii) applicant's HK Identity Card; and (iv) a current school letter confirming that the student requires extension of stay to continue with the same study.
Q9:	What is the normal processing time for processing applications for extension of stay?
A9:	Same as other applications for extension of stay, applications will be finalised within 2 to 3 weeks upon receipt of all necessary documents.
Q10:	What are the restrictions for extending my stay in Hong Kong to pursue further studies?
A10:	If you have successfully completed a full-time post-secondary programme in Hong Kong, you will normally be allowed to extend your stay to pursue another locally accredited full-time programme at a higher level of study. If you cannot complete a full-time programme at either degree or sub-degree level within the normal programme period, consideration may be given to extend your stay for up to one year so as to complete the programme. If you wish to switch to another locally accredited full-time programme before completing the earlier one, you will normally be allowed to extend your stay to pursue the new programme unless you would, with such extension, be able to accumulate five years or more of continuous residence in Hong Kong.

Change of Educational Institutions/Programmes and Termination of Study

Q11:	Can I switch from one educational institution to another?
A11:	The student will be imposed with a condition of stay to take up a prescribed course in the prescribed educational institution. Any change in condition of stay requires the prior approval from the Immigration Department.Application for change of educational institution may be approved provided that you continue to fulfil eligibility criteria for study.If the change of educational institution is approved, you will be issued with an appropriate label specifying the name of the new educational institution subject to payment of the label fee.
Q12:	Can I switch from one programme to another within the same educational institution?
A12:	You may apply for switching your study from one programme to another within the same educational institution if you continue to fulfil eligibility criteria for study.  If the change of study programme is approved, you will be informed in writing.
Q13:	When should the educational institution inform the Immigration Department in case a student terminates his studies?
A13:	Notification of termination should be sent to the Immigration Department as soon as possible or not later than 7 days from the termination date.
Q14:	How to submit notification of termination?
A14:	For students other than from the Mainland, notification of termination of studies should be sent by post to the Extension Section of the Immigration Department or by fax to 2586 1431. For Mainland students, notification of termination should be sent by post to the Quality Migrants and Mainland Residents Section of the Immigration Department or by fax to 2119 0522. Please click here to download the notification form.
Q15:	Can I continue to stay in Hong Kong after termination of my study?
A15:	You must leave Hong Kong within 4 weeks from the date of termination of the study. It is an immigration offence for breach of condition of stay if you fail to leave Hong Kong within the prescribed time.

Employment during the Study Programme

Q16:	What is the relaxation of employment restriction for non-local students which comes into effect from academic year 2008/09?
A16:	Under Regulation 2 of the Immigration Regulations, Cap 115A, permission given to a person to land in Hong Kong as a student shall be subject to the conditions of stay that, inter alia, he/she shall not take any employment, whether paid or unpaid.  The restriction in respect of internship and part-time employment for non-local students has been relaxed from the 2008/09 academic year onwards.  Non-local students of full-time, locally accredited programmes at degree level or above whose study period is not less than one academic year may take up internship subject to the following conditions: The internships must be study/curriculum-related and be arranged or endorsed by the institutions they are studying in; and The duration of the internship is up to one academic year, or one-third of the normal duration of the relevant full-time academic programme, whichever is the shorter. There is no restriction on the nature of work, level of salary, location, number of working hours and employers. Moreover, these students (excluding exchange students) may take up: part-time on-campus employment for not more than 20 hours per week throughout the year; and employment during the summer months without any limit in relation to work hours and location.
Q17:	I benefit from the relaxation of employment restriction effective from 2008/09 academic year.  Should I make separate application before taking up internship, part-time on-campus employment and summer employment?
A17:	The relaxation of employment restriction for non-local students is implemented through administrative arrangements. There is no need for non-local students who benefit from the relaxation (eligible students) to make separate application in respect of study/curriculum-related internship, part-time on-campus employment and summer employment. Eligible students will be notified of the relaxation individually by a "No Objection Letter" (NOL) upon approval of entry and extension of stay applications. The NOL will spell out the type(s) and conditions of employment which the student may take up. The NOLs will be issued to the eligible students through their sponsors/representatives or in person as appropriate upon issue of the student visas/entry permits or granting extension of stay to the students. If the student visa/entry permit applications are submitted through overseas Chinese diplomatic and consular missions (CDCMs) or the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing (Beijing Office), the NOL will be issued through the CDCMs or Beijing Office as appropriate.
Q18:	Do exchange students benefit from the relaxation of employment restriction?
A18:	Non-local exchange student of full-time and locally-accredited programme at degree level or above which necessitates study/curriculum-related internship and whose study period is not less than one academic year may take up study/curriculum-related internship.  However, exchange students are not allowed to take up part-time on-campus employment or summer employment.
Q19:	Can I take up internship after the completion of the academic programme?
A19:	No.  The study/curriculum-related internship under the relaxation cannot take place before a non-local student is officially registered with the institutions and begins attending any scheduled classes of his/her registered programme in Hong Kong, or when the student concerned has fulfilled all the course/credit requirements for graduation (e.g. a student who has just finished his/her final year of study).
Q20:	What is the meaning of "on-campus employment"?
A20:	"On-campus employment" is taken to mean that the employment must take place within the campus of the institution (including only the campus of the institution which the non-local student is enrolling, and excluding the campus of any subsidiary and associated body of the relevant institution proper or its self-financing arms) where the non-local student is studying or, if the work location is outside campus of the institution, the employer is the institution itself.
Q21:	Regarding part-time on-campus employment, can I take up part-time employment at any operators within the campus?
A21:	No.  As specified in the NOL, eligible students should only take up employment at operators within the campus designated by your institution, i.e. designated operators.  The designated operators may include the institution itself or an outside operator renting a venue within the campus for a short period of time.  You should check with your institution for the list of designated operators which may be updated from time to time.
Q22:	The duration of part-time on-campus employment is subject to the condition "not more than 20 hours per week throughout the year".  Can I roll over unused hours to another week?
A22:	Eligible students are not allowed to roll over unused hours from one week to another.  A week here is taken to mean a period of seven days from Sunday to Saturday.
Q23:	Can I take up more than one part-time on-campus job?
A23:	There is no restriction on the number of part-time on-campus jobs an eligible student may take up, provided that the cumulative duration of such jobs does not exceed 20 hours per week.
Q24:	Is there any restriction concerning the summer employment?
A24:	Eligible students may only take up summer employment during the summer months which are taken to mean the period from 1 June to 31 August, both dates inclusive.  The above period will be specified in the NOL and eligible students are not allowed to take up summer employment outside this period, regardless of the actual period of summer vacation for his/her academic programme.  There is, however, no limit in relation to work hours and location.
Q25:	Is the NOL valid for my whole academic programme?
A25:	NOL will be issued upon issue of the student visa/entry permit.  Upon granting of each subsequent extension of stay, a fresh NOL, if applicable, will be issued.
Q26:	Is the NOL still valid if I have switched to another study programme?
A26:	In the event that a non-local student successfully switches to another study programme whether in the same or another institution, the NOL in respect of the previous study programme will cease to be valid. His/Her eligibility for study/curriculum-related internship; part-time on-campus employment and summer employment will be assessed afresh. A new NOL, if applicable, will be issued.
Q27:	Can I get a replacement NOL if the original one has been lost, damaged or defaced?
A27:	Mainland students may request Quality Migrants and Mainland Residents Section for the issuance of a fresh NOL at no fee. Other non-local students may approach Extension Section for the same formalities.
Q28:	The employment restriction for non-local students has just been relaxed and I believe I benefit from the relaxation. However, I have not yet been issued with a NOL. Can I take up study/curriculum-related internship, part-time on-campus employment and summer employment?
A28:	After implementation of the relaxation, non-local students who have not been granted prior approval by the Immigration Department nor issued with NOL are not allowed to take up any kind of employment. Upon approval of extension of stay application for the next academic year, eligible non-local students will be issued with NOL and they may then take up employment as prescribed in the NOL.
Q29:	Where can I turn to for assistance if the employer dismisses the NOL as proof of my employability?
A29:	You can request the prospective employer to contact the issuing section of the NOL for inquiries.
Q30:	I have not been issued a NOL but find out later that internship is required.  What should I do?
A30:	You should apply for prior approval from the Immigration Department with the support from your institution before taking up internship.
Q31:	What if I wish to take up study/curriculum-related internship for a longer period, say more than one year for a normally three-year study programme?
A31:	If non-local students wish to take up internship/employment outside the scope of the relaxation arrangements, they should seek prior approval from the Immigration Department. The applications will be assessed and determined on a case-by-case basis with due regard to individual merits.
Q32:	Am I allowed to take up internship, voluntary or charity work or help carry out research work without pay if I do not benefit from the relaxation of employment restriction?
A32:	Please refer to A31 for details.
Q33:	What is the consequence if I do not adhere to the conditions set out in the NOL?
A33:	An eligible student with a NOL is not allowed to take up any employment outside the scope set out in the NOL without prior approval from the Immigration Department. A breach of any condition of stay will render him/her liable to prosecution and removal from Hong Kong under the Immigration Ordinance.

Employment after the Completion of Studies

Persons who have obtained a degree or higher qualification in a full-time and locally accredited programme in Hong Kong may apply to stay/return and work in Hong Kong under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates.  Please click here for further information.

Other non-local students may apply for employment after they have completed the studies and left Hong Kong.  Entry applications for employment under the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (for Mainland students) or General Employment Policy (for other non-local students) should be made prior to the applicant's arrival in Hong Kong to take up the employment.  Each application will be considered on basis of the criteria under the respective Scheme/Policy.  For instance, the applicant should possess a special skill, knowledge or experience of value to and not readily available in Hong Kong; and has an offer of employment and be offered with remuneration commensurate to the market rate.