Rules Governing Enrolment of Local and
Non-local Students
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Introduction |
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1. |
Following the Government's announcements in May
2006 of measures to support the development of Hong Kong as the
regional education hub, the University Grants Committee has introduced
new policies on the admission of non-local students and revised
the definition of non-local students. The Immigration Department
has also amended its immigration policy on education accordingly.
For the purpose of admission of non-local students, "non-local
students" are defined as persons entering Hong Kong for the
purpose of education with a student visa/entry permit issued by
the Director of Immigration. |
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2. |
As the University moves towards further
internationalization and the admittance of more non-local students
including exchange students, these Rules governing enrolment of local
and non-local students are published to reflect the University's efforts
and clarify the University's operational processes in complying with
the Immigration Regulations as specified by the Hong Kong Immigration
Department and the Immigration Ordinances as enacted by the Government
of the HKSAR. Since immigration policies may be amended from time
to time, the University reserves the right to edit these Rules without
prior notice in compliance with changes in immigration rules. |
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3. |
These Rules apply to all types of students,
including incoming exchange students and visiting students; and for
all levels of study, including research degrees, professional doctorates,
taught postgraduate, undergraduate and sub-degrees. |
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4. |
In these Rules, "University"
refers to City University of Hong Kong and "Immigration Department"
refers to the Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region. |
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Local and Non-local Student Status |
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5. |
Persons holding a "Hong Kong Permanent
Identity Card" or the right to land in Hong Kong or a One-way
Permit for entry to Hong Kong will be considered as "local students"
for student enrolment at the University. |
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6. |
Persons holding a dependant visa or
an employment visa or any other valid entry visa/permit issued by
the Immigration Department permitting persons for entry to Hong Kong
and pursue full-time and/or part-time studies without the need to
apply for a student visa will also be considered as "local students"
within the validity period of their visa/permit for student enrolment
at the University. |
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7. |
Persons holding a student visa/entry
permit to study at the University will be considered as "non-local
students" within the validity period of their visa/permit for
student enrolment at the University. |
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Student Enrolment |
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8. |
All persons must produce one of the
identification documents mentioned in paragraphs 5 to 7 above for
verification by the University at the time of student enrolment. |
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9. |
Persons coming to Hong Kong as visitors
cannot become students at any educational institution and are therefore
not permitted for enrolment as students of the University. |
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10. |
All persons who are not holding a "Hong
Kong Permanent Identity Card" should check with the Immigration
Department on immigration regulations and conditions governing eligibility
for studies. It is the students' responsibility to understand and
comply with immigration rules governing the conditions of their stay
in Hong Kong. |
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11. |
Except for research degrees, the deadline
for student enrolment in the University is the end date of Week 2
in Semester A, Semester B or the Summer Term as specified in the University's
Academic Calendar. |
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Visa Extension and Reporting |
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12. |
To maintain an active student status
for continuation of studies at the University, it is the students'
responsibility to renew their visa/permit in accordance with rules
pronounced by the Immigration Department prior to the visa/permit
expiry date and report the approval of the extended visa/permit to
the Academic Regulations and Records Office in the case of undergraduate and sub-degree students, and to the Chow Yei Ching School
of Graduate Studies for postgraduate
students. |
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13. |
The University reserves the right
to terminate the studies of students who fail to obtain a renewed
visa/permit allowing a further extended period of stay for studying
in Hong Kong and will report all such cases to the Immigration Department. |
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14. |
The University will notify the Immigration
Department of non-local students' termination of studies/withdrawal
of studies from the University. Such notifications will be sent to
the Immigration Department as soon as possible and not later than
7 days from the termination/withdrawal date. The University will also
notify the Immigration Department of non-local students' suspension
of studies and approved periods of leave of absence. |
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15. |
For programme transfer within the
University, non-local students must seek prior approval from the Immigration
Department. Enrolment in the new programme will only be effected upon
the student producing documentary evidence of the programme transfer
approval granted by the Immigration Department. |
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Work Permission |
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16. |
Full-time student visa holders are permitted to take up part-time on-campus employment of up to 17 hours per week throughout the year, and also employment during the summer months (from 1 June to 31 August) without any limit in relation to work hours and location. Non-local students pursuing full-time studies are also allowed to take up study-related internships arranged or endorsed by the University. For the internship and employment, the Immigration Department will issue a "No Objection Letter" to the student together with the student visa. This letter is applicable to the specific programme only and the student has to apply for issuance of a new one should there be change of study programme. Non-local students assuming any other types of work such as voluntary
or charity work, or appointment
as Residence Tutor, must seek permission from the Immigration Department
in advance. |
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Change of Local/Non-local Student Status or Visa Type |
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17. |
Students who have changed their local
and non-local student status or visa type (such as from holding a
student visa to an employment visa, or vice versa) during their period
of study at the University may apply to the Academic Regulations and
Records Office (for undergraduate and sub-degree
students) or the Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies (for postgraduate students) for updating this change in the University's
records. If the application is received after the start date of a
semester/term, any adjustment in fee assessment arising from change
in local/non-local student status will only be effected in the following
semester/term. |
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Full-time and Part-time Studies in Taught Study Programmes |
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18. |
For those who are working in Hong Kong
with a valid employment visa, the Immigration Department has no objection
for them to take up 'part-time studies' and there is no need to apply
for a student visa. Holders of employment visas who under exceptional
circumstances need to exceed the maximum credit unit load permitted
in the University's Academic Regulations for part-time students in
any semester must produce written proof of consent from the employer
and submit an application for consideration and approval by the Head
of the academic department. |
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19. |
Non-local students who have been granted
permission by the Immigration Department for 'full-time studies' must
follow the minimum credit unit load specified in the University's
Academic Regulations for full-time students. Exceptions for reduced
study load are permitted for the final graduating semester upon approval
by the Head of the academic department or as determined by the Examination
Board in any semester for students in academic difficulty. |
20. |
Non-local students may apply to take up 'part-time
studies' in taught postgraduate programmes. Such students who have
been granted permission by the Immigration Department for 'part-time
studies' must not exceed the maximum credit unit load permitted
in the University's Academic Regulations for part-time students. |
(Revised by the Senate on 25 February 2009) |
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