One-Year Master’s Degree in Hong Kong, Seven Years to Obtain Hong Kong Residency: An Introduction to the Latest Policies for Settling in Hong Kong through Study!

How can one obtain a Hong Kong residency in seven years after completing a one-year master’s degree in Hong Kong? Today, let’s focus on the specific steps for settling in Hong Kong through studying there!

For most ordinary people, it is extremely difficult to obtain Hong Kong residency through schemes such as the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme or the General Employment Policy. However, as long as you have a bachelor's degree, time, and a certain level of financial ability, studying in Hong Kong is absolutely the lowest threshold way to settle in Hong Kong!

Studying in Hong Kong for further education refers to the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG), a policy formulated by the government to encourage overseas students to study in Hong Kong and stay to work after graduation.

Put simply, by studying at a full-time institution in Hong Kong, applicants can unconditionally apply for the IANG visa after graduation. The IANG visa allows non-local graduates to stay and work in Hong Kong.

There is no quota for the IANG visa. Non-local students who have studied full-time undergraduate or higher-level courses recognized by the Hong Kong government can stay and work in Hong Kong through the IANG visa. Graduates can stay in Hong Kong unconditionally for two years after applying for this visa and can travel freely to and from the mainland or abroad. By staying in Hong Kong to work through the IANG visa with a renewal pattern of "2+2+3", one can become a permanent resident of Hong Kong after seven years from the start of their studies.

Note that once you obtain a study visa, you can apply for a Hong Kong Resident Identity Card (temporary Hong Kong identity).

I. Introduction to the Requirements for a One-Year Master's Degree in Hong Kong

1. Meeting Basic Application Requirements

o Good English and Chinese language abilities (some Chinese programs have no English language requirements).

o No criminal record or adverse immigration record.

o Holding a bachelor's degree.

o Being able to financially support oneself and one's family during the study period in Hong Kong. This requires proof of stable financial support to cover at least one year of living expenses and tuition fees in Hong Kong (e.g., regular income proof, bank savings proof from the applicant, parents, or guardians).

o PS: If you do not have a bachelor's degree but have no less than 10 years of executive management experience, you may still be eligible.

2. Meeting the Admission Requirements of Hong Kong Universities

o In addition to the basic requirements, applicants must also meet the admission criteria of the universities.

o Different universities and programs have different application requirements.

o If you are unsure which university or program suits you, it is recommended to contact us for an assessment to understand which institutions and majors are suitable for you.

Example: Science-Related Masters Programs

· Program Overview: Science-related majors are highly professional and technical, requiring applicants to have a background in the same or related field. It is difficult to apply for cross-disciplinary programs, and future employment areas are relatively specialized and fixed.

· Application Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, IELTS score above 6.0, average academic score above 80%, graduation from a related or similar major.

· Representative Majors: Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Information Technology, Environmental Science, Civil Engineering.

· Recommended Universities: The University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Note: Not all Hong Kong universities require English language proficiency. Some universities offer programs taught in Chinese, such as MBA in Business Administration, Master of Science in Environmental Protection Studies, Chinese Literature, and Creative Writing at Hong Kong Metropolitan University; and Bachelor of Business Administration, Master of Science in Applied Finance at Chu Hai College of Higher Education.

II. Introduction to the Process of Obtaining Hong Kong Residency through Studying in Hong Kong

Applying for Hong Kong permanent residency takes seven years, and the one-year period of studying in Hong Kong is also counted towards this seven-year period. In other words, one year of study + six years of work visa renewals = seven years to apply for permanent residency. The specific process is as follows:

1. Understand Schools and Application Purposes

o Clarify whether your goal is to obtain a degree or Hong Kong residency, and then research the intended universities and programs.

2. Assess Your Own Conditions

o After understanding the admission requirements of Hong Kong universities, determine which school, college, and major suit you.

3. Prepare Materials and Make Preparations

o After finding suitable universities and majors, prepare the required materials.

4. Submit the Application

o Prepare for the exam and interview, and then submit your application. You can submit it directly on the university's official website or entrust an intermediary agency to apply on your behalf.

5. Await University Admission

o If there are no issues with your application, you will receive an admission offer before the school starts.

6. Apply for a Student Visa

o Prepare relevant materials after receiving the admission offer and apply for a student visa. This visa, issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department, is proof that you can stay in Hong Kong for an extended period during your studies.

7. Activate Your Student ID and Apply for an Identity Card in Hong Kong

o Bring your Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, student visa, stay visa, and exit-entry permit endorsement to Hong Kong to activate your student visa and apply for a Hong Kong Resident Identity Card. Your spouse and children can apply to accompany you.

8. Study in Hong Kong

o Bring your study materials, documents, and living essentials to Hong Kong to start your studies. Arrange your schedule in advance (full-time instruction, generally requiring 4-5 days a week).

9. Apply for the IANG Visa After Graduation

o After graduation, you can apply for the IANG visa. The unconditional stay period for the IANG visa in Hong Kong is currently two years, during which you can stay and look for a job.

10. Visa Renewal and Application for Permanent Residency

o The renewal requirement for the IANG visa is to find employment with a local company and stay to work in Hong Kong. You need to apply for visa renewal before the two-year visa expires. The renewal pattern is 2+3+3, i.e., the first visa is valid for two years, followed by two renewals of three years each. After meeting the seven-year continuous ordinary residence requirement, you can apply for Hong Kong permanent residency.

III. Advantages of Studying in Hong Kong (Personal Development and Identity Planning Advantages)

IV. Common Questions About Studying in Hong Kong

1. Can I find an internship or job in Hong Kong while holding a student visa?

o With a student visa, you cannot work officially but can intern! However, the prerequisite for internships is obtaining a No Objection Letter (NOL) from the Immigration Department and endorsement from the university. In other words, if you want to intern in Hong Kong, you need the agreement of both the company and the university, apart from securing an internship offer.

2. As a soon-to-be graduate, can I use my student visa to intern between completing my coursework and obtaining the IANG visa?

o Unlike current Hong Kong university students, the Immigration Department has clearly stipulated that soon-to-be graduates who have completed their studies (i.e., those who have earned the required credits or completed the coursework) are not allowed to intern on a student visa.

o If you have a great internship opportunity, you can try to urge your university to issue your graduation certificate earlier and start your internship after obtaining the IANG visa.

3. Must I apply for the IANG visa immediately after graduation?

o According to the Immigration Department, within six months after graduation (calculated from the graduation date on your diploma), you are considered a "non-local graduate staying in Hong Kong for employment" and can unconditionally apply for a two-year IANG visa! However, if you fail to do so within this period, you will be considered a "non-local graduate returning to Hong Kong for employment," and you can still apply for the IANG visa, but you must have found a job and have an employer willing to hire you.

1. Do I need to renew the stay (D) visa on my Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents when I obtain the IANG visa?

o Hong Kong visas correspond to Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macao Residents. Whether it's a new IANG visa or an IANG visa renewal, the stay visa on your Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents must be correspondingly extended.

2. Can I bring my family members to Hong Kong with the IANG visa?

o Yes, IANG visa holders can bring their legal spouses and unmarried children under 18 years old to live in Hong Kong, and family members can also work there.

3. Does an IANG holder need to stay/live/work in Hong Kong continuously?

Holders of the IANG visa are allowed to leave Hong Kong temporarily. As long as they do not leave Hong Kong for more than 180 consecutive days, their IANG visa status will not be revoked.