Definitions of Local and Non-local Students
Local and non-local applicants are considered under different admissions routes. Non-local students are required to pay a higher tuition fee. According to the Education Bureau (EDB), for the purpose of admission to post-secondary programmes, the definition of local and non-local students are as follows:
Persons holding the following documents issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department are classified as non-local students:
- student visa / entry permit; or
- visa / entry permit under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates; or
- dependant visa / entry permit (for students who were 18 years old or above when they were issued with such visa / entry permit by the Director of Immigration)
Due to immigration restrictions, nationals from Afghanistan, Cuba, North Korea (DPRK) may not be able to obtain a student visa to study in Hong Kong. For details, please refer to the Immigration Department website.
Persons holding any of the following documents issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department are classified as local students:
- Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card
- Documents issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department certifying the right of abode / right to land in Hong Kong
- Document of Identity / One-way permit for entry to Hong Kong
- Dependant visa / entry permit (for students who were below 18 years old when they were issued with such visa / entry permit by the Director of Immigration)
- Full-time employment visa / work permit (for part-time study)
- Visa / entry permit for Quality Migrant Admission Scheme
- Visa / entry permit for Capital Investment Entrant Scheme
- Visa label for unconditional stay
You may be asked to provide a copy of your identity documents to support your claim of local / non-local status in your application. If your application data is found to be incorrect, or there are changes to your local / non-local status before admission, any offer made may be affected. If you need further advice on visa requirements, please contact the Hong Kong Immigration Department.
If you need further advice on visa requirements, please contact the Hong Kong Immigration Department.
