Student Visa / Entry Permit
In general, unless a person has the right of abode or right to land in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (HKSAR), he/she requires a visa/entry permit to study in the HKSAR. While each application is determined on its individual merits, an applicant should meet normal immigration requirements (such as holding a valid travel document with adequate returnability to his/her country of residence or citizenship; be of clear criminal record and raise no security or criminal concerns to the HKSAR; have no likelihood of becoming a burden on the HKSAR, etc.) as well as the relevant specific eligibility criteria detailed here before he/she may be considered for the grant of a visa/entry permit. It should be noted that the eligibility criteria may be subject to change from time to time.
Apply through the University
All student visa applicants are required to have a local sponsor.
CityUHK may act as the local sponsor for students who are accepted to study in an eligible locally-accredited programme
If you wish to seek visa sponsorship from the University, please complete and submit an online Request for Visa/Entry Permit Sponsorship form using the link specific to the programme type.
Each online visa sponsorship request is specific to the programme to which the applicant has been admitted (for new students) or in which the applicant is currently enrolled (for current students requiring a new visa).
| Admission Route / Student Type | Submission of Student Visa/Entry Permit Request | |
|---|---|---|
| New Admittees | - Incoming Degree-seeking Students - Visiting Research Students | 1. Make sure you have accepted the admission offer. 2. Access the CityUHK Admission Application System using your applicant credentials. 3. Click here for a step-by-step guide. Note: The Student Visa/Entry Permit Sponsorship Request System is scheduled for a replacement. The new system will go live on 5 October 2026 (Monday) at 10:00 AM HKT (UTC+8). Before the new system launch, if you are in need of submitting an application urgently, please contact admovisa@cityu.edu.hk. |
| Inbound Exchange Students | 1. Make sure you have received the letter of acceptance. 2. Log in to the Inbound Student Exchange Application System. Note: Inbound exchange students who are unable to submit a visa application request should contact the CityUHK college or department hosting the exchange programme for assistance. 3. Click here for a step-by-step guide. Note: The Student Visa/Entry Permit Sponsorship Request System is scheduled for a replacement. The new system will go live on 5 October 2026 (Monday) at 10:00 AM HKT (UTC+8). Before the new system launch, if you are in need of submitting an application urgently, please contact admovisa@cityu.edu.hk. | |
| Current Students | Students studying at CityUHK | 1. Log in to AIMS 2. Click 'Student Services' 3. Click 'Request for Student Visa/Entry Permit Sponsorship' |
Remark: Students who are unable to place an online request through the above windows, please contact admovisa@cityu.edu.hk with your full name, admission information, and applicant/student ID.
As processing may take 8 weeks or longer, students are advised to submit their student visa/entry permit applications according to the suggested timeline below, unless otherwise instructed by academic or supporting units.
Please refer to the student visa/entry permit application window opening schedule below. The dates and times are subject to adjustment based on administrative arrangements.
| Admission Route / Student Type | Semester B, 2026/27 (Semester starts on 11 January 2027) | Summer Term, 2027 (Semester starts on 07 June 2027) | Semester A, 2027/28 (Semester starts on 30 August 2027) |
Degree-seeking Students Apply as soon as possible after acceptance of the admission offer | Suggested Timeline Application Opens: | Suggested Timeline Application Opens: | Suggested Timeline Application Opens: |
Inbound Exchange Students / Visiting Students / Visiting Research Students Apply immediately after receiving the letter of acceptance |
Please prepare the requested documents according to the submission sample and checklist.
- Submission sample and checklist
- When submitting the documents electronically, please pay attention to the file restrictions stated in the checklist.
Please upload your prepared documents and complete your sponsorship request in the Student Visa/Entry Permit Sponsorship Request System.
Please note that incomplete packages lacking necessary information or documents cannot be processed. Please use our checklist to double-check your application and file requirements before sending.
A non-refundable and non-transferable administrative fee of HKD 600 will be charged by the University for each student visa application. This administrative fee does not include the visa fee payable to the Immigration Department of the HKSAR (the Immigration Department). Please settle the visa application administrative fee through CityUHK Pay (the university’s online payment portal) via the Student Visa/Entry Permit Sponsorship Request System.
An application fee for visa will be charged by the Immigration Department. Students are required to settle the visa fee directly with the Immigration Department after their application is approved.
Acceptable payment methods:
The University will issue the ID995B form and forward the visa application to the Immigration Department for approval. Kindly note that only a full and complete set of visa application with all required documents enclosed will be sent to the Immigration Department.
The Immigration Department will issue the electronic version of the “Notification Slip for Entry Visa / Permit” (e-Visa) when a student visa/entry permit is approved.
The University will notify the applicant via email when their application is approved. The applicant can then proceed to settle the visa fee to be charged by the Immigration Department and download their e-Visa.
Applicants can print the “e-Visa” or save a soft copy on their mobile devices for immigration clearance upon entry to Hong Kong.
Applicants who are permanent residents of Chinese Mainland should present the “e-Visa” to the public security bureau office in Chinese Mainland where their household registration is kept, and apply for an “Exit-entry Permit for Traveling to and from Hong Kong and Macau” and a relevant exit endorsement before entering HKSAR.
Student visa / entry permits must be validated upon entry to the HKSAR. Visa / entry permit holders must present the e-Visa to the immigration officer at the control point. A landing slip bearing your name, travel document number, arrival date, conditions, and limit of stay in HKSAR will be issued upon arrival. Students should not lose the landing slip as it is the proof of their condition of stay in the HKSAR.
- The University will not be able to sponsor a student visa / entry permit application if the application is incomplete.
- The Immigration Department may request additional information and documents while processing the student visa / entry permit application.
- Student visa / entry permit holders are subject to the following conditions of stay:
- Students must attend the educational institution, i.e. City University of Hong Kong, and undertake the programme or course of study as named in the letter of admission issued by the University.
- Students must not take up any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establish or join any business, unless students have secured prior approval from the Immigration Department (see Part-time Work & Internship).
- It is the student's sole responsibility to:
- obtain a valid student visa / entry permit before entering the HKSAR.
- maintain a valid travel document.
- understand and comply with the terms and conditions of his/her student visa / entry permit while studying in the HKSAR.
- notify the Admissions Office if there is a change for any reasons in his/her academic circumstances during the visa application process (for example, accepting another programme, having difficulty to enrol in the University on schedule, or declining the admission offer).
- The University reserves the right to withdraw sponsorship and report to the Immigration Department if a student's study and/or enrolment status at the University has changed.
- Applicants are reminded that their student visa / entry permit for studying in the University and their permission to remain in Hong Kong will end upon expiry of their approved stay or four weeks after termination of studies, whichever is earlier.
- If there is any change of information after submission of a visa application, please inform the Student Visa Team immediately. A new application may be required.
For additional information, please visit our FAQ.
