A degree from a Hong Kong university usually needs to be verified by the Ministry of Education’s Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) before it can be used for state-owned enterprise, public institution or civil service recruitment, hukou registration, professional titles or further study in Mainland China. The whole process is online, and no original documents need to be posted.

About the diagrams: the step-by-step images in this guide are illustrations based on the layout of the official website, not real screenshots. They show the general steps and where to click. When you apply, log in to the official website and follow the on-screen instructions step by step.

1. When can you apply?

• After your degree certificate is issued. Verification is based on the official certificate, which Hong Kong universities typically issue a few months after graduation, often around the congregation ceremony. You cannot apply before you have it.
• Lost certificate? Ask your university to reissue it first. If that isn’t possible, submit a copy or an official letter confirming the award, together with full transcripts, a personal statement and your email correspondence requesting a replacement.
• One application per degree. Bachelor’s and master’s degrees must be submitted separately.

2. Six steps

Step 1: Register and verify your identity. Go to the CSCSE online service hall (zwfw.cscse.edu.cn), click “Login”, register and complete phone, email and real-name verification.

Step 2: Start a new application. Select Degree Verification → Mainland Chinese Residents → Apply Online. Mainland students who studied in Hong Kong should choose “Mainland Chinese Residents”, not “Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Residents”.

Step 3: Face verification. Scan the QR code to complete face recognition, and authorise the system to retrieve your entry and exit records for your study period via the National Immigration Administration’s “12367” app.

Step 4: Fill in your details. Enter your university, degree and major exactly as shown in English on your certificate, and list your study history in full, in date order.

Step 5: Upload documents and pay. Upload the documents listed below, pay online and submit. You will receive an acknowledgement by SMS and email. The fee is currently RMB 360 per application; check the payment page for the latest amount.

Step 6: Track progress and download the result. CSCSE’s published processing time is 10–20 working days. Once complete, download the electronic certificate under User Centre → My Applications. Employers can check it online on CSCSE’s verification page.

3. Document checklist (Hong Kong degree, Mainland resident)

1. Degree certificate: colour scan in PDF, max 5MB. Scan both sides if both have content; if you have certificates in more than one language, the original-language version is required.
2. Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao, and endorsements: the personal details page and the endorsement pages covering your study period, JPG, max 1MB each.
3. Entry and exit records: retrieved automatically once authorised. If they don’t cover your whole study period, download the full record PDF from the “12367” app and upload it.
4. ID photo: a recent standard photo, JPG, max 1MB, any background colour.
5. Authorisation form: download the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan version, complete it in English and sign it by hand, then scan it to PDF (max 1MB). Hong Kong graduates must fill in their student number and HKID number (write “None” if not applicable).
6. Full transcript (recommended): required if your study period was shorter than the standard programme length or you studied at more than one institution; recommended in all other cases to help determine your field of study accurately.

All scans must be clear, complete colour scans of the originals: no photos of documents, cropping or merged images.

4. Common questions

• One-year taught master’s? CSCSE checks how long you actually studied in Hong Kong. If your time there was clearly shorter than the programme length, your certificate may state that you did not study fully outside the Mainland.
• Online or cross-border distance-learning degrees? CSCSE has stated that cross-border distance-learning diplomas are not eligible for verification.
• “Not accepted” notice? This usually means required documents were missing. Your fee will be refunded to the original payment method within 15 working days; resubmit with complete documents.
• Asked for more documents? You’ll be notified by SMS, email and system message. Upload them promptly to avoid delays.
• False documents lead to rejection without a refund and public disclosure. Always submit genuine documents.

Planning to stay and work in Hong Kong after graduating? See our 「step-by-step guide to the IANG visa」. For an overview of visa pathways such as IANG, TTPS and QMAS, read our 「guide to planning your status in Hong Kong」.

Use the official website only: degree verification is handled only through CSCSE’s online service hall at zwfw.cscse.edu.cn. You can submit the application yourself online, and the fee is paid only on the official site. There is no need to pay an agent. Beware of look-alike websites.

This guide is based on the CSCSE online service hall’s published guidelines as of October 2026. Diagrams are illustrations; refer to the official website for the actual pages. For advice on careers and visas after graduating in Hong Kong, book a one-on-one consultation with HK Life Hub.