Student visa: ID995A, HK$600 and eight weeks

Who needs one

Anyone who does not have the right of abode in, or the right to land in, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and wants to come to Hong Kong to study needs an entry visa / entry permit.

CityU adds an important division of responsibility in its admission notes: it is the student's responsibility to apply for a valid student visa / entry permit before coming to Hong Kong to study, and to comply with the conditions attached to it.

Who to apply to, and the steps

Cost: CityU charges HK$600

• CityU charges an administrative fee of HK$600 for handling the student visa.
• This does not include the Immigration Department's own visa fee — the two are separate.

Timing: allow eight weeks or more

• CityU's visa page states that processing may take eight weeks or longer.
• In its FAQ CityU says eight weeks is the Immigration Department's conservative estimate; the University processes applications as soon as it receives a new student's documents, and students should make sure the documents they submit are complete and accurate so that processing can be sped up.

How much proof of funds do you need?

This is the question parents ask most often. CityU's official FAQ answer:

• The Immigration Department sets no specific requirement (as to amount).
• But in its experience, students normally submit evidence of liquid funds, such as a bank deposit statement.
• An income certificate or property certificate alone may not be enough.
• How long must the deposit be frozen? — There is no minimum period, and a current account is acceptable.
• CityU's visa page adds that the amount on the proof should be consistent with the financial information entered on page 3 of ID995A.

After the visa: Mainland students have one more step

Mainland students need both:

• the student visa / entry permit issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department, and
• the exit-entry D endorsement (逗留 D 签注) issued by the exit-entry administration of the Mainland public security authorities, added to an Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macau (往来港澳通行证).

On arrival: remember the landing slip

• On entry you will be given a landing slip (students nickname it the "little white slip").
• Keep it safe — it is one of the documents evidencing your stay in Hong Kong and you may need it for later procedures.

Rules to follow while you are studying

• The student visa carries a work restriction: the rules on part-time work and internships for non-local students are set out in detail — see can you work while studying.
• Visa expiry and extension: watch your limit of stay and apply separately if you need an extension.