According to regulations stipulated by the Hong Kong Immigration Department, non-local students without the right of abode or right to land in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region must obtain a student visa or entry permit to study in Hong Kong.
Students without a valid student visa/ entry permit, or individuals with a visitor visa are not allowed to study in Hong Kong.
Application for a Student Visa/ Entry Permit (for progressing students only)
A new student visa/ entry permit application is required upon any change in visa status or visa expiry. Students may apply through THEi, which can act as a sponsor for these applications. All required documents should be submitted to the address below for dispatch to the Immigration Department at least eight weeks before class commencement.
Address:
Room S1401, Registry, 14th Floor, South Block, 133 Shing Tai Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong (Hong Kong Student Visa Application)
You may download the visa application document here.
With effect from 1 January 2026, a Student Visa Handling Fee of HK$800 will apply to non-local students requiring a new student visa from the Hong Kong Immigration Department before resumption of studies after a deferment of study, reinstatement or expiry of student visa.
Extension for Student Visa
In general, non-local students admitted to the Institute’s full-time programmes will be granted a length of stay in line with the normal duration of their study programmes, subject to a maximum period of 6 years upon entry and the validity of the travel document held. Students may apply for a visa extension within 4 weeks before the visa expiry date. Such applications will be considered only when the students continue to meet the eligibility criteria for entry for study. Extension of stay, if approved, will normally be on a yearly basis or in accordance with the programme duration, as appropriate. It will normally take 2 to 3 weeks for the Hong Kong Immigration Department to process an application for a visa extension upon receipt of all necessary documents.
Application details are available at https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/faq/imm-policy-study.html (Q10 to Q14).