Whether you can work while studying in Hong Kong is one of the first questions international and Mainland students ask. The short answer for 2026: most full-time non-local students on degree programmes can take part-time jobs, including off campus, as long as they hold a valid No Objection Letter (NOL) from the Immigration Department. HK VirtueLead has summarised the official rules below.

The standard rules for non-local students

By default, anyone admitted to Hong Kong as a student may not take up employment, paid or unpaid. Under the standard framework, students on full-time, locally accredited bachelor’s or higher programmes have three exceptions: on-campus part-time work at their own institution of up to 20 hours a week, summer jobs between 1 June and 31 August, and study-related internships arranged or approved by the institution, lasting no more than one academic year or one-third of the programme, whichever is shorter.

The temporary exemption: off-campus work allowed

The Hong Kong Government lifted the work restrictions for full-time non-local postgraduates from 1 November 2023 and extended this to undergraduates from 1 November 2024. According to the Immigration Department’s Entry Guidelines (revised 2 June 2026), non-local students on full-time, locally accredited programmes at bachelor’s level or above, lasting at least one academic year, remain temporarily exempt (exchange students excluded). They may work in Hong Kong during their limit of stay or the validity of their NOL, whichever ends first. No end date has been announced.

In short, the 20-hour weekly cap, the summer-only window and the ban on off-campus work no longer apply under the exemption, but an NOL is still required. One-year taught master’s programmes also qualify.

How do you get a No Objection Letter?

Eligible students do not need to apply separately: the Immigration Department issues the NOL to each student through their institution, usually alongside the student visa or entry permit. If you are still preparing your visa, see our guide to the Hong Kong student visa process and documents. If you transfer to another programme, your NOL becomes invalid and eligibility will be reassessed.

Key points to remember

• Check your NOL: it states the types of work and conditions that apply to you.
• Exchange students are excluded: they may only do study-related internships under the standard rules.
• Minimum wage: Hong Kong’s statutory minimum wage has been HK$43.1 per hour since 1 May 2026.
• Breaches are serious: working in breach of your conditions of stay may lead to prosecution and removal.

HK VirtueLead Tips

1. Studies first: one-year master’s programmes move fast. Settle into your first semester before committing to regular shifts; our guide to making the most of a one-year master’s in Hong Kong can help you plan.
2. Choose relevant internships: local experience in your field helps your job search and strengthens your profile if you later apply to stay in Hong Kong under IANG.
3. Avoid “easy money” scams: never pay upfront fees, receive transfers for others or lend your bank account.

Because this is a temporary exemption, it may change; always check the latest Immigration Department announcements. For help planning your studies in Hong Kong, you can contact the HK VirtueLead team via HK Life Hub.

References:

• Immigration Department, Immigration Guidelines for Entry (revised 2 June 2026) https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/immigration-entry-guideline.html
• Immigration Department, FAQ: Immigration Policy on Study (revised 30 May 2025) https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/faq/imm-policy-study.html
• HKSAR Government press release on non-local undergraduates’ part-time work (18 Oct 2024, Chinese) https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202410/18/P2024101800481.htm
• Labour Department, Statutory Minimum Wage (effective 1 May 2026) https://www.labour.gov.hk/common/public/pdf/smw/SMW_Flyer_SC_2026.pdf