FAQ for New Masters Students

ATTENTION: All applicants, including those with conditional offers, are required to complete their visa online applications on or before June 1, 2025 (Sunday) in order to start their studies in Hong Kong. For applications submitted after this deadline, applicants must bear the risk that their student visa may not be ready before the commencement date of their studies.

Student Visa Application
All students without the right of abode or right to land in Hong Kong must apply for a student visa for the education purposes from the Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD). It is the responsibility of each student to make the necessary visa arrangements prior to studying in Hong Kong. Please also be informed that it is illegal to use the Hong Kong and Macau Entry Permit (EEP) with individual travel (G) / group travel (L) endorsement for attending classes, tutorials or any academic activities in Hong Kong.

How to Apply
The HKU Admissions Office, Registry (AO) serves as your visa sponsor. Before you start applying for the visa, please review the complete application procedures at HKU Student Visa.
• Overseas: https://www.studentvisa.hku.hk/overseas-student
• Mainland China: https://www.studentvisa.hku.hk/mainland-student
• Taiwan: https://www.studentvisa.hku.hk/taiwan-students
• Macao: https://www.studentvisa.hku.hk/macao-student
To submit your application, please apply via: HKU Student Visa Application System
The Admissions Office will further verify and review your submitted documents. Students will be notified via their registered email regarding the mailing of hard copies. Please DO NOT send any until you receive further instructions from AO.

Processing Time
The processing time for application of a student visa requires approximately 10-12 weeks, and it may take even longer during summer peak season.
For Mainland Chinese applicants, please reserve an additional 2 weeks to apply for an Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao (EEP) (港澳通行證) and the relevant exit endorsement (逗留D簽).
For applications submitted after June 1, 2025 (Sunday), applicants must bear the risk that their student visa may not be ready before the commencement date of their studies. Failing to obtain a valid student visa before the start of the academic year could adversely affect study progress and may result in delays in graduation.

Issuance of E-Visa:
Upon receiving the Firm Admission Offer, you must upload a copy of the offer to the online Visa Application System after your visa has been approved by the Immigration Department (ImmD).
Please note that it will take a minimum of 10 working days for the Admissions Office to process and issue your e-Visa, following the successful verification of all submitted documents. Once verified, you will receive a separate email with instructions on how to download your e-Visa.
To stay updated on your application status, we strongly encourage you to regularly check the Student Visa Application System and monitor any email communications from the HKU Admissions Office for important instructions and updates regarding your visa application.

Financial Proof for Visa Application
The Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD) is strict about financial documents. Applicant must show to have an ability to afford the costs of education and living expenses in Hong Kong. To establish the evidence of financial resources, the applicant should submit one of, or a combination of the following:
• Proof of liquid assets: Up-to-date bank records issued within 3 months (bank statements or passbook or bankbook), and/or a personal certificate of saving/fixed deposit of your own/financial sponsor with a bank stamp. Please note that wealth management products are not acceptable.
• Tax receipts, salary slips and employment letters.
• Award letter of financial aid or scholarship.
• Please note that the financial aid and scholarship with conditional terms are not acceptable. There is no minimum requirement of the deposit amount. According to experience, an applicant should possess:
• Around RMB 100,000 - 150,000 for full-time degree studies;
• Around RMB 50,000 - 100,000 for one-semester exchange programme.
Please note that this amount is for reference only. The final approval will be determined by the Immigration Department (ImmD).

Student Visa Payment:
After students have paid their student visa application fee, the HKU Admissions Office will take at least 7 working days to verify the payment status with the Finance Office.
If you have made a duplicate payment or have any inquiries regarding visa payments, please submit a request directly to the HKU Admission Office through the link: Contact Us.

Student Visa Exemption
Students who use travel visa or travel endorsement to participate in any classes, tutorials and other academic-related activities will be regarded as illegal.

According to experience, students are not required to apply for a student visa if they obtain any of the followings:
• Hong Kong Identity Card (Permanent)
• Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) visa/permit
• Top Talent Pass Scheme visa/permit
• Documents issued by the Immigration Department showing right to land / right of abode in Hong Kong
• One-way Permit for entry to Hong Kong
• Full-time employment visa / work permit (for mainland students, applicable to part-time study only)
• Dependant visa / entry permit
• Visa / Entry permit for Quality Migrant Admission Scheme
• Visa / Entry permit for Capital Investment Entrant Scheme
• Visa / Entry permit for Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents
• Visa label for unconditional stay

However, students are responsible to check and confirm the eligibility and validity of their own visa for study purpose with ImmD by themselves.
For categories beyond the list above, you are strongly advised to contact HKU Visa Office directly via their online enquiry form (https://www.studentvisa.hku.hk/contact-us).
For further enquires, please contact the ImmD at (852) 2824 6111 or email to enquiry@immd.gov.hk.

Other Important Notes:
(1) All visa application results are subject to the final approval of Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD). Please note that there is no expedited service available to accelerate the application process.
(2) Students are strongly advised to book their flights or arrange their travel plans only after they successfully obtaining their student visas.
(3) Students who successfully applied for the student visa must enter Hong Kong before the activation date specified on their visa label.
(4) The tentative dates of the official Orientation for HKU Business School Masters Students are either August 28 or 29, 2025. Students will be informed of the exact date, event details, and registration procedures in due course.
(5) The commencement date of your formal classes will be announced by your Programme Office respectively in due course. Please kindly check your email accordingly.

For further enquiries on visa applications, please contact HKU Admission Office at https://www.studentvisa.hku.hk/contact-us for assistance.

i. Student Residence for 2025–2026

Looking for a comfortable and connected place to stay while pursuing your masters studies at HKU?  Our on-campus residence offers a range of rooms and amenities designed to support your academic journey and student life.  Below are the key details for your consideration.

Residence Periods for 2025–2026

Although university residence terms are structured around the general HKU academic calendar, TPg students are welcome to apply for accommodation on a term basis in accordance to the University calendar, even if your program schedule slightly deviates. The upcoming residential terms are:

• Semester 1: 20 August 2025 – 1 January 2026
• Semester 2: 1 January 2026 – 29 May 2026

Please note that residents are expected to stay for the full term.

Room Types and Monthly Fees

Below is the current fee structure for 2024–2025. Fees for 2025–2026 are expected to increase by approximately 3%. Lodging fees are paid monthly, and cover the full semester period. Air conditioning charges are billed separately at HKD2.31 per kWh.

Who Is Eligible?

• The residence is open to all postgraduate students.
• Priority will be given to Research Postgraduate students, but our masters students are warmly welcomed to apply.
• Please note: there are no quotas specifically reserved for masters students, and places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

When and How to Apply

• Applications open on April 1, 2025
• Apply online at: https://w2.cedars.hku.hk/pgh/

We encourage interested students to apply early due to limited availability and high demand.

Need More Information?

For further queries about residence life, room options, or application procedures, feel free to contact the postgraduate housing office through the CEDARS website or email them directly.

ii. Off-Campus Accommodation – Privately-rented Housing

Given the limited seats in university accommodation, Taught Postgraduate students are recommended to rent a room or flat off campus. Information on privately-rented flats and rooms can be found in real estate agencies or from the website of Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS). For any enquiries, please contact cedars.housing@hku.hk directly for further assistance.

1. Job opportunities and Company Event Details

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2. CDT Services Introduction

International Study Field Trips
This course is designed to provide students an opportunity to acquire first-hand knowledge of international business environment. Experiential learning and knowledge exchange will be applied throughout the study field trip to develop students’ understanding of international business environment in a different cultural context and help them construct a global perspective. Firm visits and cultural related activities will be arranged during the study field trip to arouse students’ awareness in cultural diversity and enhance their understanding of how culture can impact international business strategy.

Potential locations available for the trips in 2025-26 academic year:

1. Barcelona and Madrid (Spain)
2. London (UK)
3. Milan and Turin (Italy)
4. Paris (France)
5. Vietnam

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