Academic Regulations and Records Office
Academic Regulations and Records Office

Visa Matters

1. Renew the student visa/entry permit before expiry
Normally, the student visa/entry permit is valid through the normal duration of programmes. If a non-local student fails to graduate before the visa expires, he/she should renew student visa/entry permit prior to the expiry date at the Immigration Department (IMMD) of HKSAR in order to maintain an active student status for continuation of studies at the University. Please visit Global Engagement Office’s website for details.

2. Obtain a Letter of Certification from ARRO for applying for Extension of Stay
Students can apply for a Letter of Certification via ARRO for applying for extension of stay in the HKSAR. For students holding other types of visa, they should apply to the Immigration Department (IMMD) of HKSAR directly for extension with appropriate documents.

3. Report your visa’s new expiry date via AIMS
After renewing the student visa/entry permit, students must report the new expiry date via AIMS [Personal Information > Visa Information]. Students should submit a copy of their Hong Kong Identify Cards to ARRO (In-person or by email) to enable the function beforehand.

Important Notes

  • If a student does not report the new visa information to ARRO, we shall assume that you are no longer eligible for studying in Hong Kong and bar you from entering the Library, Computer Service Centre, logging-in to e-portal and AIMS immediately.
  • To resume the access right, the concerned student is required to contact our office and provide us with a copy of his/her renewed visa/entry permit to enable the student account, and report his/her visa/entry permit information via AIMS [Personal Information > Visa Information].
  • If we do not receive a student's new visa information in 2 weeks after expiry, we shall formally terminate the student's studies and inform Immigration Department (IMMD) of HKSAR of the change in student’s status.
  • Non-local students may contact Global Engagement Office (GEO) at (852) 3442 8089 or email geovisa@cityu.edu.hk for enquiries on visa matters.

Letter of Certifications would be issued to non-local students with the following requests.
  • Application for student visa/entry permit
  • Application for Extension of Stay
  • Application for “Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG)” after completion of studies at CityU (Applicants may also produce their transcripts or Award Certificates as evidence of graduation.)
For more details about the application procedures, please visit Student Services (Letters of Certification).

The University reserves the right to withdraw the visa sponsorship for non-local students and report to the Immigration Department (IMMD) of HKSAR if a student’s study and/or enrolment status at the University has changed. Examples of ceasing the sponsorship are as follows:

  • The student takes a leave of absence in the first semester upon his/her admission of study.
  • The student does not have any course to take during the two-year period for obtaining one of the alternative qualifications or passing the University’s annual English Placement Test.
  • The student withdraws from study or is terminated from study by the University on various grounds.
  • The student graduates earlier than expected (i.e. visa expiry date is more than 3 months after the graduation date).

  • Students who have changed their local and non-local student status or visa type (e.g., from holding a student visa to a dependent visa, or vice versa) during their study period at the University should report to our office for updating this change in the University's records.

  • If the application is received after the start date of a semester/term, any adjustment in the tuition fee arising from the change in local/non-local student status will be effective from the following semester/term.

  • Non-local graduates may apply to stay and work in Hong Kong after their date of graduation (i.e., the date shown on their award certificates) under the IANG via Immigration Department (IMMD) of HKSAR.

  • Applications made within six months from the date of graduation are not required to secure an offer of employment upon application, while those who apply beyond six months after graduation are required. More details are available on the website of Immigration Department (IMMD) of HKSAR.

If there is any inconsistency or ambiguity between the page contents and the Academic Regulations (AR), rules and guidelines, the AR, rules and guidelines shall prevail.