Hong Kong Student Visa: Application Steps & Guide

When applying for a student visa to Hong Kong from India, you will generally need to provide a comprehensive set of documents to support your application. The following checklist covers the most common documents needed:

For the Applicant:

1. Travel Document:
   • Applicant's valid travel document with personal particulars, date of issue, date of expiry, and re-entry visa details (if applicable).
2. Travel History:
   • Valid travel document page showing the latest arrival stamp/landing slip/extension of stay label in the HKSAR (for current residents) and the latest issued "e-Visa" if applicable.
3. For Chinese Residents:
   • People's Republic of China resident identity card (if travel document is not available).
4. Photograph:
   • Recent photograph of the applicant.
5. Hong Kong Identity (if available):
   • Hong Kong identity card (if available).
6. Educational Acceptance:
   • Letter of acceptance from the educational institution.
7. For Applicants Under 18:
   • Authorization letter from one parent to the guardian in Hong Kong.
   • Consent letter signed by the guardian and one parent.
   • Accommodation arrangement details.
8. Financial Support Documents:
   • Bank statements, savings account passbooks, tax receipts, and salary slips (if the sponsor is the educational institution).
9. Other Supporting Documents:
   • Macao identity card (for Macao residents), Taiwan household registration, and Taiwan identity card (for Taiwan residents).

For the Sponsor:

1. School Endorsement:
   • School chop (if the sponsor is the educational institution).
2. Accommodation Undertaking:
   • Undertaking to provide accommodation for the applicant if under 18.
3. Sponsor's Identity Card:
   • Sponsor's Hong Kong identity card (for individual sponsors).
4. Sponsor's Travel History:
   • Sponsor's valid travel document with arrival stamp/landing slip/extension of stay label in the HKSAR and the latest issued "e-Visa" (if applicable) for non-permanent residents.
5. Financial Support Documents:
   • Sponsor's financial standing documents and an undertaking to provide financial support during the applicant's study period.

For Dependants:

1. Dependant's Travel Document:
   • Valid travel document with personal particulars, date of issue, date of expiry, and re-entry visa details (if applicable).
2. Travel History:
   • Valid travel document page showing the latest arrival stamp/landing slip/extension of stay label in the HKSAR (for current residents) and the latest issued "e-Visa" if applicable.
3. For Chinese Residents:
   • People's Republic of China resident identity card (if travel document is not available).
4. Photograph:
   • Recent photograph of the dependant.
5. Identity Card (if available):
   • Hong Kong identity card (if available).
6. Relationship Evidence:
   • Evidence of the relationship with the applicant (e.g., marriage certificates, birth certificates, family photographs).
7. Other Supporting Documents:
   • Macao identity card (for Macao residents) or Taiwan household registration and identity card (for Taiwan residents).

File Formats:

Before uploading the necessary documents, please ensure they are scanned in one of the following formats:

• JPEG
• PDF
• GIF
• PNG
• TIF (RAW, LZW, JPEG, CCITT-G4)

Each file should not exceed 5 megabytes in size. For documents without photos, use grayscale color depth. For documents with photos, use color depth.

Before submitting your visa application, please review the list of required documents carefully. The guidelines provided on this website will assist you in preparing your documents accurately, reducing the chances of your application being rejected due to incorrect or incomplete documents.

Hong Kong Online Application for Entry for Study

Application Form (Online)

Please ensure that the information you provide is correct. Incorrect information may render your submission invalid.

Hong Kong Visa Application for Entry for Study (to be completed by the applicant) ID 995A

Application Form (Pdf format)

Hong Kong Visa Application for Entry for Study (to be completed by the Sponsor) ID 995B

Application Form (Pdf format)

You can get the application forms (ID 995A and ID 995B) for free from these locations:

Immigration Department Headquarters

Immigration Branch Offices

Overseas Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Missions

HKSAR Government offices outside Hong Kong

To obtain more application forms, click here

The process for applying for a Hong Kong study visa from India typically involves the following steps:

1. Check Eligibility

Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria:

• Admission : You must be admitted to a private school or an accredited post-secondary program in Hong Kong.
• Full-Time Enrollment : You need to be enrolled in a full-time local or non-local post-secondary program (including exchange programs).
• Age Requirement : For primary school (ages 5-11) or secondary school (under 20), you must have the required age for the program.
• Acceptance Letter : Obtain an acceptance letter from the Hong Kong educational institution.
• Financial Support : You must demonstrate the ability to support yourself financially (for tuition, living expenses, accommodation) without relying on public funds or working.

2. Prepare Documents

Gather all necessary documents:

• Applicant's Documents :
  • Application Form (ID 995A)
  • Recent passport-sized photograph
  • Valid travel document (passport)
  • Hong Kong Identity Card (if applicable)
  • Acceptance letter from the educational institution
  • Guardian consent letter (if under 18)
  • Proof of accommodation (if under 18)
  • Proof of financial support (bank statements, tax receipts, etc.)
• Sponsor's Documents (If the sponsor is an individual):
  • Sponsor Application Form (ID 995B)
  • Undertaking to provide accommodation (if the applicant is under 18)
  • Sponsor's identity documents and proof of financial standing
  • Undertaking to provide financial support
• For Dependants (if applicable):
  • Application Form (ID 995A with Part B completed)
  • Proof of relationship, valid travel document, identity card, etc.

3. Find a Local Sponsor

• Educational Institution : If the sponsor is an educational institution, they will submit their documents.
• Individual Sponsor : If the sponsor is an individual, they must:
  • Be 18 years or older and a bona fide Hong Kong resident.
  • Be familiar with the applicant and have financial means to support them.

4. Submit the Application

• Online Submission : You can submit your application and documents online through the official Hong Kong Immigration Department portal.
• By Post : Alternatively, you can mail your completed forms and documents to:
  • Address : Receipt and Despatch Sub-Unit, Immigration Headquarters, 61 Po Yap Road, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories, Hong Kong.

5. Wait for Processing

• The processing time typically takes about six weeks from the submission of all required documents. The Immigration Department will review the application and may refuse it even if all criteria are met.

6. Pay the Application Fee

• The application fee can be paid online or in person after the approval of your application, using credit cards, digital wallets, or other payment methods.

7. Receive the Decision

• If your application is successful, you will receive your Hong Kong Study Visa and be able to travel for your studies.

8. Important Notes

• The visa approval is discretionary and can change based on policy updates.
• Both students and their dependants cannot work in Hong Kong without prior permission.

Important notes:

• Making false statements to an immigration officer is illegal.
• To check the truthfulness of submitted visa application details and documents, field visits might be conducted.
• If someone intentionally provides false information, they can be charged under Hong Kong law, and any visa or permission granted will be invalid.
• The visa approval is discretionary and can change based on policy updates.
• Both students and their dependants cannot work in Hong Kong without prior permission.

For more information, please visit the Hong Kong Immigration Department's official website by clicking here.