Hong Kong Student Visa Requirements for Indian Nationals 

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China. To study in this region, you need to obtain a student visa. A student visa is given for a maximum period of 4 years for international students who want to enrol in a full-time program. To obtain a student visa you need to fill the ID 955A. To fill this form, you need to meet the eligibility criteria, and the documentation requirements. Therefore, in this blog, we have provided the Hong Kong Student Visa requirements – documentation in detail.

Application Form 

To study in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) you need to submit an application form  ID 995A. This is one of the main Hong Kong student visa requirements. Your sponsor (educational institution) must fill out the application form ID 995B. These 2 application forms are available free of charge from the respective offices.

• Overseas Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Missions
• Immigration Branch Offices
• Immigration Department Headquarters
• HKSAR Government offices outside Hong Kong.

The application form can also be downloaded from the official website of the Immigration Department.

Learn about China student visa requirements

Who Can Be a Sponsor in Hong Kong?

To receive an entry of study, the nomination of a local sponsor is mandatory. This is one of the Hong Kong student visa requirements. The local sponsor here can either be an individual or an educational institution providing acceptance to the student. In case the local sponsor is a student: he/she must be 

• A minimum of 18 years of age 
• Must be a bona fide Hong Kong resident
• Moreover, he/she must be acquainted with the applicant 
• Be willing to provide accommodation to the applicant
• Additionally, the sponsor must be authorized as the guardian of the applicant. That is if the student is less than 18 years of age. Therefore, a consent letter must be signed by both the parents and the guardian of the applicant.

Hong Kong Student Visa  Requirements to Be Met By the Sponsor 

The sponsor must submit the following documentation. This is one of the mandatory Hong Kong student visa requirements.  Note: if the educational institution is providing the acceptance letter to you, then the following documents are not necessary.

• Submission of application for Entry for Study (Sponsor) in the region. That is, application form ID 995B.
• Sponsor’s Hong Kong identification card
• Submission of an undertaking that he/she is willing to provide accommodation to you for the duration of your stay in Hong Kong (That is if you are less than 18 years of age)
• Submission of sponsor’s travel documents that include the date of issue, personal details, date of expiry, latest arrival stamp/extension of stay label/landing slip, and the latest e-visa (if applicable). This requirement is only for the non-permanent residents.
• Submission of proof of finances. For example, savings account passbook, bank statements, tax receipts, etc

Hong Kong Student Visa Requirements to Be Met By the Applicant 

The Hong Kong Student Visa requirements (documents) that need to be met by the applicant are provided below: 

• Submission of application form for study entry. That is, form ID 995A
• Submission of your photograph. The photo needs to be affixed on the 2nd page of the application form
• Moreover, you need to submit photocopies of the travel document. The travel document must include details such as the date of issue, reentry visa held (if applicable), date of expiry, etc 
•  If you are currently staying in HKSAR then you only need to submit the travel document consisting of details such as the date of arrival/stamp/landing slip/extension (if applicable). The recently issued e-visa must also be mentioned (if applicable).
• If you have a Hong Kong national identity card it must also be provided 
• Additionally, you need to provide the offer letter from the educational institution
• If you are below the age of 18, then any 1 of your parents must make the sponsor your guardian. 
• Provide proof of accommodation arrangement (if you are less than 18 years old)
• Additionally, submit proof of finances. For example, bank statements

Hong Kong Student Visa Requirements for Dependents 

The following are the Hong Kong Student Visa Requirements for dependents. Each applicant must submit the following documents

• Submission of application form (ID 995A). Part B of the form (Sponsor’s section) must be filled by you (applicant)
• Submission of a recent photograph of the dependent
• Submit a copy of the travel document. The travel document must contain the personal details of the dependent, the date of issue, and other essential information.
• Dependent currently living in HKSAR – the travel document (photocopy) must be submitted. The travel document must constant details such as the recent arrival stamp/extension of stay/landing slip, and the recently issued e-visa (if applicable).
• Additionally, a photocopy of the applicant’s relationship with the dependent must be submitted. For example, family photographs, marriage certificates, birth certificates, etc
• Any other relevant documentation (if requested)

Translation of Documents 

When you are submitting a document, it must be either in English or Chinese. If any document is not in either of the languages, then a translation of the documents must be submitted. The translated documents can be either in Chinese or English. A document can only be translated by a court translator, expert translator, sworn translator, authorised public translator, official translator, or certified translator. No one else can translate the documents.

Learn about China student visa requirements in detail

Submission of Application

Now that you know about the Hong Kong student visa requirements, you need to know the details regarding the application submission. The application form can be submitted:

By Post: (either directly or through a local sponsor)

The address for the same is Receipt and Despatch Sub-Unit, Ground Floor, Administration Tower, Immigration Headquarters,61 Po Yap Road, Tseung Kwan O,  New Territories.

It is important to send in a return address before posting.

In Person Form Submission

Overseas applicants can submit their application form and the relevant documents in person to the nearest consular missions or Chinese diplomatic centres in place of their domiciles.

Hong Kong Student Visa Processing Time 

After you have met the Hong Kong Student Visa requirements, and submitted the application, your application will be processed. The processing time is provided below:

Particulars	Processing Time
Hong Kong Student Visa	6 weeks

Unless it is an emergency, it is advisable not to contact the embassy or consulate to know the progress of the visa application. This is because the progress of your visa application can be delayed due to enquiries.

Hong Kong Student Visa Application Fees

The Hong Kong Student visa fee is HK$ 230= 2205 INR. This amount is usually paid in the following ways. 

• Direct application submission to the immigration department- After the approval of the application, a notification will be released. This notification will consist of a link (the GovHK website) for payment.
• The authorised representative has visited in person to pay: Payment can be made in EPS/Cash/Octopus/Cheque/FPS.
• Submission of application to an overseas Chinese diplomatic and consular mission/the Office of the Government of the HKSAR(Beijing)Immigration Division/SHETO- Direct payment needs to be made as requested.

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FAQs

We hope you now understand what the Hong Kong student visa requirements are. Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or you can connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!