Application

• To qualify for admission as a visiting student, you must meet the educational standards in English and your chosen subjects as deemed adequate by the head of the relevant department.
• The University is unlikely to have enough places for all applicants seeking admission as visiting students and will select those most likely to benefit from studying at the University.

• For general information on courses offered, please refer to the Degree Regulations and Course Descriptions.
• Faculties can indicate whether a particular course is available during a specific semester.
• Visiting students who do not intend to attend courses for their full duration can be admitted to study for a Diploma/Certificate course in Chinese Language offered by the School of Chinese in the Faculty of Arts.

Your home institution must send the below documents to exchange@hku.hk to initiate your application:

• Official Academic Transcript
  • Must be in English or accompanied by an English translation.
  • Online or unofficial transcripts will not be accepted.
• Proof of English Language Proficiency
  • Refer to HKU's English Proficiency Proof requirements.
  • HKU reserves the right to request further evidence if needed.

Once your documents are received, you will receive an email invitation to complete the Online Visiting Application. This email will include login credentials and instructions.

Complete your online application on or before the application deadline. Late applications will not be processed.

Important Notes for Online Application

• Email Address: Ensure your email is accurate—this is our main contact method.
• Name: Enter your full name exactly as shown on your passport. If your name contains special characters, use the romanised version from your passport’s machine-readable zone.
  Note: Names containing special characters (e.g. numbers, symbols, punctuation, diacritical characters and accent characters) cannot be processed due to IT considerations.
• Passport Information: Upload a clear scan of your passport identification page. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your exchange period.
• HKU ID: Only enter if you have previously studied at HKU; otherwise, leave blank.
• HKID: Only enter if you have a Hong Kong Identity Card; otherwise, leave blank.

Upload the following documents to your online application portal:

• Credit Card Payment Form or Receipt for Application Fee
• Copy of passport information page (one page only)
• Curriculum vitae (required for Faculty of Law applicants only)

• Please refer to the Accommodation Information from CEDARS Housing.
• You may apply for accommodation as soon as you have started your visiting application; there is no need to wait for an admissions decision.
• Due to limited spaces, early application is highly recommended. The allocation of housing is subject to availability.

Undergraduate Students

• Apply via Accommodation for Newly-admitted Non-local Undergraduate Students. Use your the 10-digit Visiting Application Reference Number.

Postgraduate Students (as indicated in your Notice of Admission)

• Apply via CEDARS Postgraduate Housing.

After receiving your Notice of Admission:

• Email a signed copy of your Notice of Admission to CEDARS Housing (undergraduates) or to the individual halls (postgraduates) for further processing.
• Accommodation results will be sent by email. If you receive an offer, confirm acceptance and your check-in date with the hall manager promptly, or the offer will be withdrawn.

For accommodation enquiries, please refer to the FAQ or contact CEDARS Housing at cedars.housing@hku.hk.

• Begin your visa application only after receiving your Notice of Admission.
• Visit the HKU Student Visa page for detailed instructions.
• Register for an account on the visa application portal.
• Upload your signed Notice of Admission and other required documents.
• Submit the online application and mail hard copies as instructed by the Admissions Office.
• Visa processing takes at least 10 weeks; the application fee is non-refundable.

Visa Application Paths

Depending on the student’s nationality, the visa application will follow one of two different paths:

• Mainland students (using an Exit-Entry Permit as a travel document and entering Hong Kong from Mainland China)
  • Apply here
• International, Macao or Taiwan students (nationalities other than Chinese or, Chinese nationals with permanent residency overseas, entering Hong Kong from places other than Mainland China)
  • Apply here

For visa enquiries, please contact the Admissions Office.

After receiving the Notice of Admission, students are required to complete the following steps to accept the offer.

• Accept the Offer
  • Check all information for accuracy (e.g., name, registration period).
  • Sign the Notice of Admission.
  • Login to your online application account to accept or decline the offer and upload the signed Notice.
  • Pay the required fees listed in the Notice before the stated deadline.
  • Email a copy of your signed Notice to your host faculty
• Secure Accommodation Application
  • Email a signed copy of your Notice to CEDARS Housing (undergraduate) or to the individual halls (postgraduates) for further processing.
  • If you receive an accommodation offer, confirm with the hall manager by email and indicate your check-in date. Offers will be withdrawn if not accepted.