Rules Governing Enrolment of Local & Non-local Students

(Effective from Semester A 2019/20)

Introduction

The Rules Governing Enrolment of Local and Non-local Students are published to clarify the University's operational processes in complying with the immigration regulations as specified by the Immigration Department of the Government of the HKSAR. Since immigration policies may be amended from time to time, the University reserves the right to edit these Rules without prior notice in compliance with changes in immigration rules.
These Rules apply to all types of students, including incoming exchange students and visiting students; and for all levels of study, including research degrees, professional doctorates, taught postgraduate, undergraduate and sub-degrees.

Local and Non-local Student Status

Persons holding a "Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card" or the right to land in Hong Kong or a One-way Permit for entry to Hong Kong are considered as "local students" for student enrolment at the University. Those holding an employment visa or any other valid visa/entry permit issued by the Immigration Department not stated in paragraph 4 below are also considered as “local students”¹.

Students holding a valid visa/entry permit under the following categories are defined as “non-local students”:

(a)	student visa/entry permit;
(b)	visa/entry permit under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG); or
(c)	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.

Student Enrolment

All persons must produce one of the identification documents mentioned in paragraphs 3 and 4 above for verification by the University at the time of student enrolment.
Persons coming to Hong Kong as visitors cannot become students at any educational institution and are therefore not permitted for enrolment as students of the University.
All persons who are not holding a "Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card" should check with the Immigration Department on immigration regulations and conditions governing eligibility for studies. It is the students' responsibility to understand and comply with immigration rules governing the conditions of their stay in Hong Kong.
Except for research degrees, the deadline for student enrolment in the University is the end date of Week 2 in Semester A, Semester B or the Summer Term as specified in the University's Academic Calendar.

Visa Extension and Reporting

To maintain an active student status for continuation of studies at the University, it is the students' responsibility to renew their visa/entry permit in accordance with rules stipulated by the Immigration Department prior to the visa/entry permit expiry date and report the approval of the extended visa/entry permit to the Academic Regulations and Records Office in the case of undergraduate and sub-degree students, and to the Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies for postgraduate students.
The University reserves the right to terminate the studies of students who failed to obtain a renewed visa/entry permit allowing a further extended period of stay for studying in Hong Kong and will report all such cases to the Immigration Department.
The University will notify the Immigration Department of non-local students' termination of studies/withdrawal of studies from the University. Such notifications will be sent to the Immigration Department as soon as possible and not later than 7 days from the termination/withdrawal date. The University will also notify the Immigration Department of non-local students' suspension of studies, approved periods of leave of absence and/or any other change of status as required by the Immigration Department.
For programme transfer within the University, non-local students must seek prior approval from the Immigration Department. Enrolment in the new programme will only be effected upon the student's producing documentary evidence of the programme transfer approval granted by the Immigration Department.

Work Permission

Full-time non-local students holding a student visa/entry permit are permitted to take up part-time on-campus employment throughout the year and employment during the summer months according to the requirements stipulated by the University and the Immigration Department. A “No Objection Letter” for the employment will be issued by the Immigration Department to eligible students upon approval of their student visa/entry permit application. This letter is applicable to the specific programme only and the student has to apply for issuance of a new one should there be change of study programme.
Non-local students pursuing full-time studies are allowed to take up study-related internships arranged or endorsed by the University. Students holding a student visa/entry permit should obtain a separate “No Objection Letter” for internship from the Immigration Department, applicable to the specific programme.
Non-local students assuming work without pay such as voluntary or charity work, or appointment as Residence Tutor, must seek permission from the Immigration Department in advance.
Non-local students under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) or holding a dependant visa/entry permit should observe the condition of stay as stipulated by the Immigration Department regarding taking up employment or internships in Hong Kong.

Change of Local/Non-local Student Status or Visa Type

Students who have changed their local/non-local student status or visa type (such as from holding a student visa to an employment visa, or vice versa) during their period of study at the University may apply to the Academic Regulations and Records Office (for undergraduate and sub-degree students) or the Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies (for postgraduate students) 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 fee assessment arising from change in local/non-local student status will only be effected in the following semester/term.

Full-time and Part-time Studies in Taught Study Programmes

For those who are working in Hong Kong with a valid employment visa, the Immigration Department has no objection for them to take up "part-time studies" and there is no need to apply for a student visa. Holders of employment visas who, under exceptional circumstances, need to exceed the maximum credit unit load permitted in the University's Academic Regulations for part-time students in any semester must produce written proof of consent from the employer and submit an application for consideration and approval by the Head of the academic unit.
Non-local students who have been granted permission by the Immigration Department for "full-time studies" must follow the minimum credit unit load specified in the University's Academic Regulations for full-time students. Exceptions for reduced study load are permitted for the final graduating semester upon approval by the Head of the academic unit or as determined by the Examination Board/academic unit in any semester for students in academic difficulty.
Non-local students may apply to take up "part-time studies" in taught postgraduate programmes. Such students who have been granted permission by the Immigration Department for "part-time studies" must not exceed the maximum credit unit load permitted in the University's Academic Regulations for part-time students.

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¹ For students admitted before the 2019/20 academic year, those holding a visa/entry permit under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) or a dependant visa/entry permit were defined as “local students” throughout the whole study period.

Revised by the Senate on 4 June 2019