All non-local students* who are admitted to the International Asian Studies Programme (IASP) or CUHK International Summer School at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) must apply for a student visa at the Hong Kong Immigration Department through Office of Academic Links (OAL), the local sponsor, before coming to Hong Kong.  
     
  (* Those who have a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card do not need to apply for a student visa for their studies at CUHK.)  
     
  Since it usually takes 4 to 6 weeks for the Hong Kong Immigration Department to process a student visa/entry permit application, students are highly recommended to submit their visa application to OAL two months prior to the commencement of the orientation programme.  
     
  • Conditions of Stay  
  • Application Procedures  
  • Guidance Notes  
  • Forms Download  
  • Frequently Asked Questions  
     
  Conditions of Stay  
  Permission given a person to land in Hong Kong as a student sponsored by OAL shall be subject to the following conditions of stay:  
  a) To abide by the laws of  Hong Kong;  
  b) To be a student only in the International Asian Studies Programme (IASP) or CUHK International Summer School at The Chinese University of Hong Kong;  
  c) Shall not take up any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establish or join in any business;  
  d) To leave Hong Kong on the expiry of stay granted by the Hong Kong Immigration Department.  
     
  Application Procedures  
  1) Read the Guidance Notes carefully before completing the visa application forms  
  2) Send your application with all the required documents and fees to OAL  
  3) Upon receipt of your complete application, OAL will act as your visa sponsor and submit your application to the Hong Kong Immigration Department for consideration  
  4) The Hong Kong Immigration Department will inform OAL of your student visa application result in 4 to 6 weeks.  If approved, OAL will collect and courier the visa label to you.  (OAL will confirm the address with you via email before arranging for the delivery.  If you do not confirm the delivery address on or before a specific date, OAL will send the label to you at the address indicated in your “Application for Student Visa Sponsorship” form)  
  5) Stick the visa label onto a blank page of your valid passport or travel document after receiving it  
  6) Present your student visa label together with your passport or travel document to the Immigration Officer when you arrive in Hong Kong to activate your student status  
  7) Make sure that the Hong Kong Immigration Officer puts a Student Visa Stamp showing that “Student – Permit to remain until (a student status due date in a format of DD-MM-YYYY) on your passport or travel document  
     
  Note:  
    For students who are PRC citizens residing in Mainland China:-  
  a) Upon receipt of your visa label,  you must apply for an Exit-entry Permit for Traveling to and from Hong Kong and Macao《來 往 港 澳 通 行 證》and Relevant Exit Endorsement 《 相 關 赴 港 簽 注 》from the Public Security Bureau Office 《 戶 口 所 在 地 公 安 機 關 出 入 境 管 理 部 門 》where your household registration is kept, before departure to Hong Kong.  
    For students who are holding a Taiwan passport:-  
  b) The HKSAR government does not recognize the Taiwan Passport.  Once your visa application has been approved, The Hong Kong Immigration Department will issue you an entry permit to Hong Kong as a travel document.  If you wish to travel abroad within the period of your stay in Hong Kong, you MUST apply for a Multiple Entry Permit (MEP) in person at the Hong Kong Immigration Department before you exit.  Otherwise your student visa will expire.  
     
  Guidance Notes  
  1) Guidance notes for students applying to International Asian Studies Programme (IASP)  
  2) Guidance notes for students applying to CUHK International Summer School 2009  
     
  Forms Download  
 
For students applying to International Asian Studies Programme (IASP)
  
   
   
   
       
 

For students applying to CUHK International Summer School 2009

 
  ID995A – Application for Entry for Study in Hong Kong (total 7 pages)  
  Application for Student Visa Sponsorship  
  Letter of Undertaking for Student Visa Application   
       
  Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card  
     
  If you have a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card (HKPID Card), there is no need to apply for a student visa.  You should submit photocopies of both sides of the HKPID Card to OAL for verification and visa fees exemption.  
     
  If you have the “Right of Abode” or “Right to Land” in Hong Kong but do not have a HKPID Card, you are still required to apply for a student visa before coming to Hong Kong.  After your arrival in Hong Kong, you should apply for a HKPID Card in person at the Hong Kong Immigration Department.  Please visit the website of the Hong Kong Immigration Department at http://www.info.gov.hk/immd for more information.  
     
     
  Frequently Asked Questions  
     
  Before Arrival in Hong Kong  
       
  1) Can I study in Hong Kong?  
    To check whether you can study in Hong Kong, you may refer to the Immigration Guidelines for Entry to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China posted on http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_1.htm#education.  Please note that some nationals are not allowed to pursue studies in Hong Kong according to the Hong Kong Immigration Policy on Education.  
       
  2) Do I need a visa for studying in Hong Kong?  
    If you wish to study at CUHK but do not have a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card, you should apply for a student visa before coming to Hong Kong.  
     
  3) When should I apply for a student visa?  
    Two months prior to the commencement of the orientation programme  
       
  4) How to apply for a student visa?  
    Refer to the Application Procedures.  
       
  5) Where should I submit my student visa application?  
    You should submit your visa application to Office of Academic Links (OAL), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR.  
       
  6) Why do I need to submit my student visa application through Office of Academic Links?  
    Student visa applications must be nominated and/or sponsored by a local institution.  Since The Hong Kong Immigration Department will contact the local institution or the visa sponsor to provide further information during the approval process, students participating in the International Asian Studies Programme (IASP) or CUHK International Summer School should request OAL to act as their visa sponsor by completing and returning an Application for Student Visa Sponsorship form to OAL.  
       
  7) What kind of documents do I need to submit?  
    Refer to the Guidance Notes.  
       
  8) How long will it take?  
    It normally takes 4 to 6 weeks for a student visa after the Hong Kong Immigration Department has received your student visa application.  
       
  9) What should I do if I lost my student visa label?  
    You should contact OAL immediately for assistance in obtaining a replacement of your visa label.  
       
  10) How to apply for a dependant visa for my family?  
    OAL will not assist students in obtaining dependant visa.  You may visit the website of the Hong Kong Immigration Department at http://www.info.gov.hk/immd  for the proper procedures.  
       
  11) Do I need to apply for a student visa if I have a dependant visa?  
    No, if your dependant visa is valid for at least 7 days after the study-end-date at CUHK.  
       
       
  After Arrival in Hong Kong  
       
  1) How do I activate my student visa/student status in Hong Kong?  
    You should present your visa label at the Immigration Counter when you arrive in Hong Kong.  Make sure that the Immigration Officer puts a Student Visa Stamp on your passport or travel document stating that STUDENT – Permitted to remain until (a student status due date in a format of DD-MM-YYY)  
       
  2) How to check if my student visa is valid?  
    You should make sure that:  
    1) the student status due date of the Student Visa Stamp printed on your passport or travel document has not expired  
    2) you are studying the approved course at The Chinese University of Hong Kong  
       
  3) Do I need to provide the permission for study in Hong Kong when I check in at OAL?  
   

Yes, you need to present your Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card or the page with the Student Visa Stamp / Dependant Visa of your Passport to OAL for verification.
 
       
  4) Do I need to apply for a Multiple Entry Permit (MEP) if I wish to travel outside Hong Kong during my study at CUHK?  
    Yes, if only you are a “Taiwan Passport Holder”. Click here for the details.  
       
  5) What should I do if I lost my passport?  
    1) Report to the Hong Kong Police Force and obtain a lost report  
    2) Inform your consulate in Hong Kong and apply for a new passport  
    3) Request OAL to issue a certifying letter specifying your enrollment and accommodation at CUHK  
    4) Bring your new passport, OAL’s certifying letter and the lost report provided by the Hong Kong Police Force to the Extension Section, The Hong Kong Immigration Department, 5th Floor, Immigration Tower, Wan Chai to apply for a transfer of the endorsement of your student visa on the new passport.  
       
  6) Can I apply for a Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID card)?  
    If you have a valid student visa and will stay in Hong Kong more than 180 days, you can apply for a HKID card at the Hong Kong Immigration Department.  
       
  7) Can I travel to Mainland China with my student visa?  
    No, you cannot.  You need to obtain a tourist visa to travel to Mainland China.  You may visit the website of the China Travel Service (H.K.) Limited at http://www.ctshk.com/english/index.htm for the application details.  
       
  8) How to apply for a tourist visa to travel to another country?  
    OAL will not assist students in obtaining tourist visa.  You may consult the Consulate General of your country for the application details.   The information on the Consulates in Hong Kong can be found at http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/mustknow/information/mk_info_sear.jsp?  
       
  9) Do I need to extend my student visa?  
    If you have extended your participation at CUHK, you will need to extend your student visa.  OAL will prepare a certifying letter for you to apply for an extension of student visa at the Hong Kong Immigration Department one month before your student visa expires.  
       
  10) Can I take up an employment while I am studying at CUHK?  
    The HK Immigration Policy on Education states that if permission is given to a person to land in Hong Kong to study, he or she shall not take any employment, whether paid or unpaid.  If you want to take up internship, voluntary/charity work or carry out research work, you should seek a permission from the Director of the Hong Kong Immigration Department in advance.  Each case will be considered on its own merits.  Occasionally, the Hong Kong Immigration Department will grant a special permission to individual student who wishes to  participate in a short term internship that is related to his/her study within his/her study period at CUHK.  However, the request must be endorsed by a local sponsor.  Students will be notified of the result within 2 to 4 weeks.  
       
    1) A letter from your internship supervisor/teacher either at CUHK or your home institution specifying:  
    - the duration of the internship (within the study period at CUHK under IASP, only for the first term from September 1 to December 31 and/or the second term from January 1 to May 31)  
    - the job nature which must be related to your major or study field  
       
    2) An appointment letter from your internship institution stating:  
    - the duration of your internship (within the study period at CUHK under IASP, only for the first term from September 1 to December 31 and/or the second term from January 1 to May 31)  
    - the number of working hours per week and the amount of subsidy/salary per week/month  
       
       
  11) If I have further questions, what should I do?  
    You should contact Office of Academic Links by phone at (852) 2609-7597, by fax at (852) 2603-5045, or through email at iasp@cuhk.edu.hk.  
       
       
       
    The above information on student visa will be updated from time to time without prior notice.  
    April 2007