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Meta title: Hong Kong Student Visa and IANG: Process, Fees, Work
Meta description: Hong Kong student visa: university sponsorship, ID 995A/B, 6–10 week processing, HK$330 fee, work rules, dependants, HKID and the 24-month IANG route.
Last modified: 2026-09-28

# Hong Kong Student Visa and IANG: How Universities Sponsor Your Entry Permit, What It Costs and How to Stay After Graduation

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To study in Hong Kong you need a student visa/entry permit. Visa-free entry, where your nationality allows it, makes you a visitor, and visitors are barred by law from enrolling as students. Your university normally applies for you as the local sponsor: it submits your form ID 995A with its own form ID 995B to the Immigration Department (ImmD). ImmD takes about six weeks once it has every document, but universities advise allowing 8–10 weeks, and the government fee is HK$330 ($42). After graduation you can stay for another 24 months under the IANG scheme, without a job offer, if you apply within six months.

This guide explains the steps for applicants from Russia, Kazakhstan and other CIS countries, the documents, timelines and fees, the work rules while you study, bringing family, IANG and the route to permanent residence. For the admissions side, see [applying to Hong Kong universities](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-hong-kong-universities); for a country overview, see [studying in Hong Kong](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-hongkong).

The Terminal 1 hall at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: Diego Delso / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aeropuerto_de_Hong_Kong,_2013-08-13,_DD_01.JPG), [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0).

## At a glance {#section-1}

| Question | Answer |
| --- | --- |
| Issued by | Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD), as an e-Visa |
| Submitted by | usually the admitting university, acting as sponsor |
| Forms | ID 995A (student) and ID 995B (sponsor); free |
| Processing | about 6 weeks after a complete file; PolyU and HKU advise 8–10 weeks |
| Government fee | $42 (HK$330) on approval |
| Length of stay | the normal length of the programme, up to 6 years per entry and within passport validity |
| Work | by default internships, on-campus work up to 20 hours a week and summer jobs; limits are temporarily lifted for full-time degree students |
| After graduation | IANG: 24 months with no other conditions of stay; no job offer needed for recent graduates |

## Who needs a student visa, and can you enter visa-free? {#section-2}

Everyone without the right of abode or right to land in Hong Kong needs a student visa, whatever their visitor status. Nationality only matters for a short trip, such as an interview or open day:

| Nationality | Short visit without a visa | To study |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Russia, Kazakhstan | up to 14 days | student visa |
| Belarus, Armenia, Georgia | up to 30 days | student visa |
| Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan | visa needed even to visit | student visa |

ImmD allows visitors to change status after arrival only in the most unusual circumstances, so "arrive visa-free and sort it out later" does not work. Get the permit before you travel.

Russian and CIS citizens face no nationality-specific study restrictions. Separate rules apply to residents of Mainland China and Taiwan and to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, North Korea, Laos, Nepal and Vietnam.

## Which programmes qualify {#section-3}

ImmD may grant a study permit if you are admitted to:

- a full-time, locally accredited post-secondary programme, from associate degree to PhD, including short courses;
- a part-time, locally accredited taught postgraduate programme of a local institution;
- an exchange of up to six months at sub-degree level or up to a year at degree level or above;
- a full-time course listed on the government register of non-local higher education courses.

The last point matters. A foreign university's programme taught in Hong Kong can bring a visa, but work rights during study and IANG afterwards depend on a local, accredited degree. Check the programme's status before paying.

## The process, step by step {#section-4}

1. Accept the offer and pay the first instalment. Universities start sponsorship only after this. PolyU asks for the visa package as soon as you have accepted the offer and paid the first debit note; for 2027/28 CityUHK opens visa submissions on 2 February 2027 and recommends applying between February and June.
2. Upload documents to the university's system. Each university has its own checklist; CityUHK charges an HK$600 ($76) administration fee for sponsorship.
3. The university completes ID 995B and files with ImmD. You can file yourself online or by post, but with institutional sponsorship the university does it.
4. ImmD assesses the case. The six-week clock starts only when every document has arrived; ImmD asks applicants not to chase unless necessary, as it slows processing. Status can be checked online or by 24-hour phone line.
5. Pay and download the e-Visa. The approval notice includes a payment link; ImmD accepts Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, JCB and local payment services. At PolyU the university pays ImmD and the student reimburses PolyU.
6. Enter with your passport and e-Visa. Show the e-Visa on your phone or printed on A4 paper and scan its QR code at the counter.

With a conditional offer (awaiting final school results or an English score, for example), PolyU releases the visa notification only after the conditions are met, which is a good reason to finish exams by spring.

## Documents {#section-5}

From the student:

- form ID 995A with a photograph on page 2;
- a copy of a valid passport showing personal details, issue and expiry dates;
- the university's letter of acceptance;
- proof of funds — bank statements, savings passbooks, tax receipts or salary slips — when the university is the sponsor;
- for applicants under 18: a consent letter signed by a parent and a guardian in Hong Kong, plus proof of accommodation.

From the sponsoring university: form ID 995B. Other sponsor documents apply only when the sponsor is an individual.

Documents not in English or Chinese need a translation certified as true by a sworn, court, certified or other official translator. Untranslated bank statements are a common cause of follow-up requests. Applicants under 18 may nominate a Hong Kong acquaintance as guardian, and some universities, such as PolyU, can take on that role.

## How much money to show {#section-6}

ImmD publishes no fixed figure. The test is whether you can pay fees, housing and living costs without working and without public funds. As evidence, ImmD lists bank statements, savings passbooks, tax receipts and salary slips.

Use the university's own budget as your benchmark: about HK$330,272 ($42,100) for PolyU in 2027/28 including a hall place, or roughly HK$260,800–270,800 at CityUHK's 2026/27 rates. Full budgets are in our guide to the [cost of studying in Hong Kong](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-hong-kong). If your funds are in Russia, check a lawful payment route early: see [how to pay for studies abroad from Russia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia).

## Every visa-related fee {#section-7}

| Item | Amount | Paid to |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Forms ID 995A and ID 995B | free | — |
| Student visa / entry permit | $42 (HK$330) | ImmD (via the university at PolyU) |
| University administration fee | $76 (HK$600) at CityUHK; other universities set their own | university |
| Extension of stay | $42 (HK$330) | ImmD |
| Change of institution | $42 (HK$330) for the new e-Visa | ImmD |
| Hong Kong Identity Card | free | ImmD |
| IANG: application fee + visa issuance | $76 (HK$600) + $166 (HK$1,300) | ImmD |

## After arrival: HKID, extensions and changes {#section-8}

Identity card. If you are 11 or older and have been permitted to stay more than 180 days, you must register for a Hong Kong Identity Card within 30 days of arrival. Registration is free and booked online; banks and mobile operators will ask for it.

Length of stay. Full-time post-secondary students usually receive a stay matching the normal programme length, capped at six years and at passport validity. A passport expiring mid-degree shortens the stay.

Extensions. Apply within the four weeks before your limit expires, with your passport, HKID and a university letter stating the remaining study period. Decisions take two to three weeks.

Changing university or programme. Moving to another institution requires ImmD's prior approval and a new e-Visa. A switch within the same university also needs ImmD approval, confirmed by letter.

Leaving a programme. The university must notify ImmD within seven days, and you must leave Hong Kong within four weeks of terminating your studies.

Travel home. You can re-enter within your permitted stay without a new visa as long as your circumstances have not changed.

## Working while you study {#section-9}

The default condition of a student visa is no employment, paid or unpaid, and no business. There are exceptions and, currently, a temporary exemption.

| Allowed | Who | Conditions |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Study-related internship | full-time degree-level students on programmes of at least one academic year (including non-local programmes) | arranged or endorsed by the institution; up to one academic year or one-third of programme length; no limits on hours or pay |
| On-campus work | full-time students on local degree programmes | up to 20 hours a week all year; unused hours do not roll over |
| Summer work | the same group | 1 June–31 August, no limit on hours or location |
| Any part-time work (temporary exemption) | full-time students on local degree programmes, excluding exchange students | undergraduates since 1 November 2024, postgraduates since November 2023; no limit on hours or location |

Permission comes in an ImmD "No Objection Letter" (NOL) issued with the visa approval; no separate application is needed. As of September 2026 ImmD still describes the exemption as temporary, and the government said at launch that it would review the arrangement. Exchange and sub-degree students may work only through approved internships.

## Bringing family {#section-10}

Students on full-time local bachelor's, master's or doctoral programmes may bring a spouse (including partners in a relationship legally registered where it was entered into) and unmarried children under 18 as dependants. You act as their sponsor and must show you can support them well above subsistence level with suitable housing. Student dependants may study but may not work without ImmD's permission, and they receive 12 months' stay, extendable annually.

## IANG: staying on after graduation {#section-11}

The Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) is quota-free and not tied to any sector.

Eligibility. You must have entered as a student and earned a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree (or a QF Level 5+ qualification of 120+ credits) on a full-time, locally accredited programme lasting at least one academic year, from an institution listed in the annex to form ID 991. There are no extra restrictions for Russian or CIS nationals.

|  | Recent graduate | Non-recent graduate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| When | within 6 months of the date on the graduation certificate | after 6 months |
| Job offer needed | no | yes — a degree-level job at market pay |
| Stay granted | 24 months, no other conditions of stay | 24 months, no other conditions of stay |
| Processing | about 2 weeks | about 4 weeks |

A recent graduate without a certificate yet can apply with an institutional letter confirming graduation, or extend their stay to await results.

Fees. Since 26 February 2025 IANG has been a "specified scheme": a non-refundable HK$600 ($76) application fee, then HK$1,300 ($166) for a visa of more than 180 days on approval.

Extensions. Apply within the three months before the 24 months end, and at least six weeks before; you must be in Hong Kong. You need a degree-level job at market pay or proof of your own business. Extensions are normally granted on a 3+3-year pattern. After at least two years on IANG, applicants with assessable income of HK$2 million or more in the previous tax year can seek a six-year extension. If a decision has not arrived before your limit of stay expires, ImmD requires you to leave unless it approves otherwise in exceptional circumstances.

The Study in Hong Kong portal still describes the older 2-2-3 extension pattern and a four-week window. ImmD's own page is authoritative.

## Permanent residence: does study time count? {#section-12}

A non-Chinese national may become a permanent resident after at least seven years of continuous ordinary residence immediately before applying, having taken Hong Kong as their permanent home. ImmD's definition of ordinary residence names education, alongside employment, as a settled purpose. A four-year degree followed by IANG employment can therefore count towards the seven years, but ImmD decides case by case, looking at housing, family, income and tax. The status is not automatic; you must apply.

## Common mistakes {#section-13}

- Entering as a visitor and planning to switch. Visitors cannot become students.
- Leaving the visa until summer. June to August is ImmD's peak, and universities will not register students without a visa.
- Paying ImmD directly when the university says not to. At PolyU the fee goes through the university.
- Submitting untranslated bank statements. ImmD needs a certified translation.
- Missing the 30-day HKID registration. It is a legal duty under the Registration of Persons Ordinance.
- Applying for an IANG extension at the last minute. File at least six weeks before your stay expires.

## FAQ {#faq}

### Where do I apply for a Hong Kong student visa from Russia?

Not at an embassy or visa centre: the application goes to Hong Kong's Immigration Department, usually filed by your sponsoring university. You prepare the documents and upload them to the university's system.

### How much does a Hong Kong student visa cost?

The government fee is HK$330 ($42). Universities may add an administration fee — HK$600 at CityUHK.

### Can international students work in Hong Kong?

At present full-time students on local bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes may work part-time without hour limits under a temporary exemption. The default rules allow study-related internships, up to 20 hours a week on campus and summer work.

### Do I need a medical certificate or insurance for the visa?

ImmD's checklist does not include a medical certificate. Budget for insurance anyway: PolyU lists it among the costs non-local students must cover themselves before accepting an offer.

### Can I apply before meeting my offer conditions?

You can prepare documents early, but PolyU sends the visa notification only once conditions are met. Finish exams and final documents as early as you can.

### What happens to my visa if I transfer universities?

You need ImmD's approval and a new e-Visa costing HK$330. Until then you may study only at the institution named in your permit.

### Does a one-year master's qualify for IANG?

Yes, if it is a full-time, locally accredited programme of at least one academic year at an institution on ImmD's list, which covers most taught master's degrees at the UGC-funded universities. See our guide to [master's degrees in Hong Kong](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-hong-kong).

## Sources {#section-15}

- [Immigration Department: Students](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/study.html); [FAQ: Immigration Policy on Study](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/faq/imm-policy-study.html)
- [ImmD: Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/visit-transit/visit-visa-entry-permit.html)
- [ImmD: Fee Tables](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/fee-tables/index.html); [New Fee Structure for Specified Schemes](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/specifiedschemes.html)
- [ImmD: IANG](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/IANG.html)
- [ImmD: Registration of Hong Kong Identity Card](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/hkid/reg_replace.html)
- [ImmD: Meanings of Right of Abode and Other Terms](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/roa/term.html); [Eligibility for Right of Abode](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/roa/eligible.html)
- [HKSAR Government press release on the temporary work exemption for undergraduates (18 October 2024)](https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202410/18/P2024101800482.htm)
- [Study in Hong Kong: Employment](https://www.studyinhongkong.edu.hk/en/employment.php)
- [PolyU: Student Visa Application](https://www.polyu.edu.hk/study/ug/admissions/international-other-qualifications/international-other-qualifications-student-visa); [PolyU: FAQ (TPg)](https://www.polyu.edu.hk/study/pg/taught-postgraduate/frequently-asked-questions-tpg); [PolyU: Students Under 18](https://www.polyu.edu.hk/study/ug/admissions/international-other-qualifications/international-other-qualifications-students-under)
- [CityUHK: Student Visa / Entry Permit](https://www.cityu.edu.hk/admo/non-local-students/visa/student-visa); [CityUHK: Non-local FAQ](https://www.cityu.edu.hk/admo/faq?kind=nonlocal_applicants)
- [HKU: International Qualifications](https://admissions.hku.hk/apply/international-qualifications)

USD amounts use the ECB reference rate of 28 September 2026 (HK$7.8448 per $1); the Hong Kong dollar is pegged to the US dollar within a HK$7.75–7.85 band.

If you would like us to review your visa file, proof of funds and timeline for your university, [send us a request](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply).

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.

## Next steps

- [Master's Degrees in Hong Kong: One-Year Taught Programmes, MPhil and PhD, Costs and 2027/28 Admissions](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-hong-kong)
- [Applying to Hong Kong Universities: School-Certificate Requirements, Documents and 2027 Deadlines for International Applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-hong-kong-universities)
- [Cost of Studying in Hong Kong for International Students: University Fees, Housing, Living Costs and One-Off Payments for 2026/27 and 2027/28](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-hong-kong)
- [How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia)
- [Studying in Hong Kong for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-hongkong)
- [Universities in Hong Kong for International Students: the Eight Public Universities, Self-Financing Options and How to Choose](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-hong-kong)

Updated: September 2026