For Mainland Chinese students heading to study in Hong Kong, the visa process works differently from most countries. You do not apply to the Immigration Department (ImmD) yourself. Instead, the university that admitted you acts as your sponsor and submits the application. Once approved, you obtain an exit endorsement in the Mainland. The summary below follows ImmD’s official page, last revised on 15 December 2025.

The process in six steps

1. Accept your offer and pay any deposit; most universities send visa instructions after this.
2. Prepare documents following your university’s checklist.
3. Send them to the university, which files with ImmD. PolyU, for example, asks for the full set within five working days of the fee deadline.
4. Wait for approval. ImmD normally takes about six weeks after receiving all documents; universities often quote longer — PolyU says eight to ten weeks.
5. Download your e-Visa from the ImmD website. Check your name, programme and study period carefully.
6. Get your exit endorsement at the exit-entry office where your household is registered, using your Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao (EEP). At the border you must show the EEP with endorsement plus the e-Visa — a PRC passport cannot replace the EEP.

Document checklist

• Completed form ID 995A with photo
• Copy of your offer letter
• Copies of ID card and household register (requirements vary by school)
• Proof of funds, unless fully funded by a scholarship
• Under 18: guardian consent
• If sponsored by an individual: form ID 995B and sponsor documents
• Certified translations for anything not in Chinese or English

Documents are usually not returned, so send copies and keep your own set. Fees follow ImmD’s fee table and your university’s notice; some universities add an admin fee (HK$700 at PolyU).

After you arrive

Your permitted stay usually matches your programme length, up to six years, limited by your EEP’s validity. Extensions are filed within four weeks before expiry and take about two to three weeks. Rules on part-time work and internships are tied to your visa conditions. If you plan to work in Hong Kong after graduating, read our step-by-step guide to the IANG visa and our overview of how IANG, the Top Talent Pass and QMAS fit into your plans.

HK VirtueLead Tips

• Build the visa into your timeline. Six weeks at ImmD plus university handling and the Mainland endorsement means you should allow at least three months.
• Use your university’s proof-of-funds figure, not a generic number from the internet.
• Check every detail on the e-Visa. Errors in your name or study period can cause trouble at extension or IANG stage.

For help planning everything from programme choice to visa, you can contact an HK VirtueLead adviser via HK Life Hub: https://www.hklifehub.com