FAQ on Visa Matters for Non-Local Students

As a full-time student enrolled in a bachelor’s degree programme or higher, it is your responsibility to apply for an extension of your student visa before it expires. If your current student visa is set to expire before you complete your studies within the normal study period¹ of your programme, or if you expect to finish your programme within one additional year² beyond its normal study period, you must apply for student visa extension to the ImmD within 4 weeks of the visa expiry date. To do so, you must request a supporting letter from the University to substantiate your student visa extension application using Form AR165. This application should be submitted around 5 weeks before your current student visa expires. 

At the time of application submission and “e-Visa” collection, applicants must be physically present in Hong Kong, as required by the ImmD.

If your current student visa/entry permit has expired, or if you are a student studying in a part-time programme, you must apply for a new student visa to continue your studies. Please follow the renewal procedures outlined in the next question “If my student visa has already expired, what are the procedures for applying for a new student visa?”.

Notes:

¹  Students admitted in or after the 2020/21 academic year will be de-registered from the programme if they exceed the normal duration for completion. To continue their studies at PolyU, they must obtain prior approval for an extension of study duration from the programme offering Department/Faculty/School, using Form AR9, and they should obtain a valid student visa.

²  If you have already received a one-year extension beyond your normal study period and have not yet completed your studies, you should submit a new student visa application.

Procedures for student visa extension (for full-time students only)
	Check your eligibility for student visa extension application: Full-time Ug students who are unable to complete their programme within its normal duration and are expected to finish it within one additional year; or Full-time postgraduate students (i.e. TPg and RPg students) holding a student visa accumulating not more than 6 years (please refer to Q14 of the Immigration Policy on Study).
	Prepare the scanned copies of the following documents: a.  Biodata page of travel document EEP (front and back sides); or Passport b.  Current “e-Visa” (“Notification Slip for Entry Visa/Permit” 入境簽證/進入許可書; “Notification Slip for Conditions of Stay” 逗留條件通知書) c.  Latest landing slip
	Request a supporting letter from the AR for your student visa extension application to the ImmD. If you are a student visa holder at the time of admission, log in to eStudent using your “NetID” and “NetPassword”, then apply for a supporting letter using Form AR165. Please follow the guidelines to complete this Form.  If you are not a student visa holder at the time of admission, apply for a supporting letter via email at ar.visa@polyu.edu.hk. Ensure that the required documents listed in Step 2 are attached to the email.
	The AR will process your supporting letter after your Form AR165 application has been endorsed by your programme offering Department/Faculty/School. The supporting letter is expected to be issued approximately 4 weeks before your student visa expires.
	Download the supporting letter on eStudent when you receive an email notifying you that it is available.
	Submit your application for student visa extension to the ImmD from 4 weeks before your current student visa expires, either in person or via the online service on the ImmD’s website. Your application should be accompanied by the following documents: a.  The supporting letter from the AR; b.  A completed application form ID91; c.  Your travel document; d.  Your HKIC   Please note that you must be physically present in Hong Kong both at the time of application submission and collection of “e-Visa”. For more detailed and up-to-date information about the application procedures, please visit the ImmD’s website for information on Visas/Entry Permits for Study.
	It normally takes the ImmD 2 to 3 weeks to process your application after receiving all necessary documents from you. Pay attention to the ImmD’s notification regarding the result of your application.  If you encounter any issues, please contact us at ar.visa@polyu.edu.hk.
	Collect your extended “e-Visa” and NOL, if applicable, once your visa extension application is approved by the ImmD. Remember, you must be in Hong Kong at the time of collection.
	Upload your extended “e-Visa” and enter the new expiry date in the “Provision of the Latest Student Visa Information” section under “Application Details” in your application on eStudent to support your legitimacy as a student at PolyU. If you applied for your supporting letter via email, please send your extended “e-Visa” to ar.visa@polyu.edu.hk for record update. Keep the document(s) in good condition for inspection when necessary.

(For part-time students or students whose visa has already expired only)

You should submit your student visa application in person or by post to the AR Service Centre addressed to "Attn: AR - Current Visa Team", at least 8 weeks before your visa expires or before you resume your studies.

Procedures
	Check whether you should submit a new student visa application: If you are a part-time student; or If your student visa has already expired
	Your application must be accompanied by the following documents: a.  A duly completed student visa application form ID995A (see sample) with a recent passport-size photo (55 x 45 mm) adhered to the relevant page of this form.   b.  A copy of your travel document(s)* or identity document(s): For students from Mainland China: EEP (front and back sides) For students from Macao SAR: Visit Permit for Residents of Macao SAR to Hong Kong SAR and Macao identity card (front and back pages) For students from Taiwan: Passport, recent household registration transcript in Taiwan (front and back pages) and  Taiwan identity card (front and back pages) For students not from Mainland China, Taiwan or Macao: Passport * Please ensure that your travel document is valid for at least one year. For students from Mainland China, you should check the validity of your EEP.   c.  A copy of financial proof (i.e. a recent bank statement indicating that you have sufficient funds to cover tuition fees and living expenses for one year of study in Hong Kong). If the financial proof is not in your name, your sponsor is required to provide written consent testifying that he/she will provide financial support for your studies in Hong Kong. In this case, a copy of your sponsor’s passport (including the signature page) should be provided.   d.  An explanation letter to ImmD if you cannot complete your studies within the normal duration of the programme.   e.  For part-time students, you should also provide the following documents:   Employment proof; Supplementary Form for part-time students applying for a student visa
	Submit the student visa application, along with the above documents, in person or by post to the AR Service Centre, addressed to "Attn: AR - Current Visa Team".
	Upon receiving all the above documents from you, the AR will review them and then submit your application to the ImmD. Meanwhile, you are required to pay the visa application fee of HK$600 via the PolyU Online Payment Platform, following the instructions provided in the email from the AR.
	It normally takes the ImmD 6 weeks to process your application after receiving all necessary documents from you.  Pay attention to the AR’s notification regarding the status of your application.
	Once your visa application is approved by the ImmD, you will receive an email from the AR with the ImmD Application Reference Number and the download link for your "e-Visa" and NOL, if applicable. After downloading your “e-Visa” and NOL, please ensure that you keep copies of these documents for future reference.
	Activate the “e-Visa” by entering Hong Kong on or before the date stipulated on the “e-Visa”.
	Send a copy of your landing slip to the AR to confirm your status as a legitimate student at PolyU upon arriving in Hong Kong.

You can decide whether to apply for a new travel document when you submit your application for extension of stay. However, please note that the length of stay granted by the ImmD will depend on the validity of the travel document.

You should apply for a transfer of endorsement to the Quality Migrants and Mainland Residents Section/Extension Section of the ImmD. For more details, please refer to the webpage of Transfer of Endorsement on the ImmD’s website.

Until you complete this process, you will need to carry both your old and new travel documents when departing from and arriving in Hong Kong.

If you have lost your visa/entry permit while in Hong Kong, please follow the procedures outlined below:

For "e-Visa"
	Request a replacement by submitting an Online Request for a Copy/Certified Copy of a Document through the ImmD’s website, or visit the ImmD in person.

For sticker-type physical visa label (pink colour)
	Immediately obtain a reported loss memo online from the Hong Kong Police Force and keep a copy on hand.
	Get a supporting letter from the AR via email (ar.visa@polyu.edu.hk) to substantiate your student status at PolyU.
	Visit the ImmD in person for the replacement. For students from Mainland China: Quality Migrants and Mainland Residents Section For students from overseas, Macao and Taiwan: Extension Section

If you have lost your travel document while in Hong Kong, please follow the procedures outlined below:

Procedures
	Immediately obtain a reported loss memo online from the Hong Kong Police Force and keep a copy on hand.
	Get a supporting letter from the AR via email (ar.visa@polyu.edu.hk) to substantiate your student status at PolyU.
	Visit the ImmD in person with your HKIC (if available) to request a bearer letter. For students from Mainland China: Quality Migrants and Mainland Residents Section For students from overseas, Macao and Taiwan: Extension Section
	Upon receipt of the documents specified in Steps 1 and 2, the ImmD will issue a bearer letter to you.
	Bring the bearer letter issued by the ImmD to the relevant authority to apply for the respective replacement travel document. For students from Mainland China:  Please visit the China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited (香港中國旅行社) with the above documents to replace the EEP and the relevant exit endorsement. For students from overseas, Macao and Taiwan: Please inform your consulate in Hong Kong and proceed with the application process for a new passport.
	Apply for a transfer of endorsement of your student visa to your new EEP or passport: For students from Mainland China: Quality Migrants and Mainland Residents Section For students from overseas, Macao and Taiwan: Extension Section   For more details, please refer to the Transfer of Endorsement on the ImmD’s website.

Normally, non-local students must obtain prior permission from the Director of Immigration before starting any internship, part-time on-campus job, or summer employment. Eligible students may receive up to two NOLs notifying them of the relevant arrangements upon the approval of their student visa applications:

1. Full-time students will be issued a NOL allowing them to take up part-time on-campus employment and summer jobs. This NOL will be valid as long as their student visas are valid.
2. If their study programmes allow or require them to undertake a study-/curriculum-related internship, they will be issued a separate NOL for it. However, this NOL will only be valid for one academic year while they remain enrolled in the same programme, and their limit of stay in Hong Kong remains unexpired. Eligible students will be informed when to collect the renewed NOL each year.

Eligible students with the appropriate NOLs do not need to seek individual permission from the Director of Immigration for study-/curriculum-related internships arranged or endorsed by their department, part-time on-campus employment or off-campus summer jobs.

However, eligible students (non-local students studying in full-time, locally-accredited programmes at the Ug level or higher) are temporarily exempted from the above employment restrictions from November 2023 (for Pg students) and November 2024 (for Ug students). They should have been informed of this relaxation through an updated NOL without needing to submit a separate application. With this updated NOL, eligible students are temporarily exempted from the restrictions on part-time employment and are not required to make separate applications to the ImmD for part-time on-campus employment and summer jobs.

For eligible students, the NOLs are valid as long as they remain enrolled in the same programmes at PolyU and their limit of stay in Hong Kong remains unexpired. Please note that the issuance of the updated NOLs does not extend the validity of your student visa. 

For RPg students, please be aware that there are regulations concerning employment stipulated in the section Financial Matters > Funding Support > Scholarships in the RPg Student Handbook. Although this temporary exemption allows the students concerned to take up part-time employment without breaching their conditions of stay, RPg students must still adhere to the related regulations set out in the RPg Student Handbook and obtain prior approval from the GS if necessary.

If you transfer to another study programme, the NOL issued under the current programme will cease to be valid. You should follow the procedures outlined in the Study Programme Change section to obtain an updated NOL, if applicable. 

You should have saved a copy of your visa/permit and NOL, if applicable when you downloaded your "e-Visa". If the NOL is lost, damaged or defaced, you should get a replacement from the ImmD at no fee following the procedure outlined below:

Procedure

Visit the ImmD in person along with your travel document that includes the latest arrival stamp, landing slip, or extension of stay label in the HKSAR, and/or the latest issued “e-Visa” (if applicable) for re-issuance. For students from Mainland China: Quality Migrants and Mainland Residents Section For students from overseas, Macao and Taiwan: Extension Section   For more information, please refer to Q34 of the Immigration Policy on Study.

For TPg students 

If you are enrolled in a mixed-mode programme and plan to change your student status from full-time to part-time, or vice versa, your visa status may be affected. Therefore, it is essential to consult the AR to follow up on your student visa status. 

Procedures 

• Seek approval from your programme offering Department/Faculty/School for changing your study mode. 
• Once your application has been approved, approach the AR for guidance on the necessary follow-up actions regarding your student visa status. 

For RPg students

If you were admitted in 2018/19 cohort onwards, you should seek prior approval from the Director of Immigration through the AR, while RPg students admitted in or before the 2017/18 cohort should seek prior approval from the Director of Immigration via the GS.

Please refer to the section Various Applications > Change of Study Mode in the RPg Student Handbook from the GS for relevant regulations. For advice on changing your study mode, please contact the GS.

For Ug and TPg students

If you have obtained approval from the Department/Faculty/School to change your current study programme to another programme at PolyU, your updated study information should be accurately reflected on your student visa documents. As a result, this change must also be reported to the Director of Immigration for approval to update your student visa status. Please follow the procedures outlined below:  

Procedures
	Submit your application for transfer of study using Form AR25.  For more details about the transfer of study, please refer to section 9F on “Important Notes for Non-local Students” and section 4J “Transfer of Study” in the Student Handbook for Taught Programmes.
	Once your application for transfer of study is approved, the AR will seek approval from the Director of Immigration to update your student visa status on your behalf. You will be informed of the outcome of the application by email.
	After obtaining approval from the Director of Immigration, you should collect your new NOLs from the ImmD before engaging in any study-/curriculum-related internships and employment, as the NOLs for current programme will cease to be valid. Note: There is no auto-extension on the student visa, regardless of approval from the ImmD.

For RPg students

The application for transfer of registration must obtain prior approval from the Director of Immigration. You should adhere to the related regulations set out in the section Various Applications > Transfer of Registration between MPhil and PhD in the RPg Student Handbook. Please note that there is no auto-extension for the student visa, regardless of approval from the ImmD. 

If you have further enquiries, please contact the programme offering Department/Faculty/School and the GS for advice.

Please note that the approval from the ImmD for updating your student status in relation to your change of study programme does not automatically extend your stay. If you transfer to another full-time programme at PolyU before completing your current one, you will need to apply for a visa extension (please refer to the Student Visa Extension and New Application section) to pursue the new programme, and approval is normally granted accordingly.

Yes, PolyU will notify the Director of Immigration after your application for deferment of study or zero-subject enrollment has been approved.

For Ug and TPg students

You can apply for deferment of study using Form AR7 and for zero-subject enrollment with Form AR112. 

For RPg students

Please refer to the section Various Applications in the RPg Student Handbook from the GS for relevant regulations. For advice on changing your study mode, please contact the GS.

If your student visa has not been terminated by the ImmD and is still valid when you return to Hong Kong, you do not need to apply for a new student visa to resume your studies. 

However, if your current student visa does not cover the duration of your studies after resumption, you should follow the procedures outlined in the Student Visa Extension and New Application section to extend or renew your visa before it expires. 

Once it is confirmed that you have discontinued your studies at PolyU or have been de-registered from your programme, the AR will inform the ImmD accordingly. You will receive an email informing you of the ImmD’s decision regarding your student visa status once we receive their response.

According to the Immigration Regulations, you must leave Hong Kong before the expiry of your limit of stay or within 4 weeks from the date of termination of your studies, whichever is earlier. Otherwise, you will be committing a criminal offence by breaching your conditions of stay. 

After obtaining a degree or higher qualification from a full-time and locally accredited programme in Hong Kong, you can apply to stay in or return to Hong Kong under the IANG. You will normally be granted a stay of 24 months without any conditions upon application, provided you meet the standard immigration requirements. During this period of stay, you are free to take up employment or pursue further studies in Hong Kong without needing prior approval from the Director of Immigration.

You should read the guidelines and apply directly to the ImmD, either in person or online, by submitting a copy of your transcript or a testimonial  that proves that you have completed your studies.

You may request a copy of your transcript with Form AR3 or a testimonial using Form AR4 upon the release of your overall assessment results for a semester. For details, please refer to the section 7 in the Student Handbook for Taught Programmes. RPg students may request a copy of your transcript with Form GSB/30 or a testimonial using Form GSB/19. For details, please refer to the section Academic Proof in the RPg Student Handbook or contact the GS.

To apply for stay under the IANG, you do not need a supporting letter from the AR.

Before your application for stay under the IANG is approved by the ImmD, you should not engage in any academic activities at the University or employment in Hong Kong.

For more information, please refer to the FAQs on IANG. For enquiries, please contact the ImmD by email at enquiry@immd.gov.hk or by phone at 2824 6111.

If you intend to apply to stay in Hong Kong under the IANG after completing all coursework and examinations but have not yet received your graduation result, you may apply to the ImmD for an Interim Extension of Stay on Student Condition, either in person or online. For details, please refer to the guidelines from the ImmD. The ImmD will normally grant a 3-month Interim Extension of Stay on Student Condition to eligible students; however, this Interim Extension of Stay on Student Condition does not permit you to study or work in Hong Kong.

To apply for the Interim Extension of Stay on Student Condition, you do not need a supporting letter from the AR.

For more information, please refer to Q9 to Q11 of the FAQs on IANG. For enquiries, please contact the ImmD by email at enquiry@immd.gov.hk or by phone at 2824 6111.

The ImmD will be informed of non-local students” change of student status due to early graduation (i.e. if the visa expiry date is more than 3 months after the graduation date). Students must leave Hong Kong within 4 weeks from the date of termination.

You may need to apply for a visit visa/entry permit to enter Hong Kong and attend your graduation ceremony. For more information, please refer to the webpage of Visit/Transit on the ImmD’s website.