TPG Studies

Information for Non-local Students

Student Services

Supporting Units

Hong Kong Identity Card

According to Cap. 177A REGISTRATION OF PERSONS REGULATIONS, anyone who intends to stay in Hong Kong for a period exceeding 180 days is required to apply for a Hong Kong Identity (HKID) Card from the Immigration Department of the HKSAR Government within 30 days of arrival. The law of Hong Kong requires that official personal identification be carried at all times.

To obtain a HKID Card, you must apply in person at any of the Registration of Persons Offices, Immigration Department. Office address, working hours and the 24-hour appointment booking services can be found at https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/contactus/person-registration.html.

After you have obtained your HKID Card, you should upload a photocopy of the HKID card to the University Student Visa Application System within your study period. Please note that the official academic records carry your HKID number. Without such information, the University will not issue any official academic records to you.

Student Visa Extension

If you are recommended by your Programme to extend your study period, the Taught Postgraduate Studies Section shall issue an official letter for you to apply for student visa extension with the Immigration Department of the HKSAR Government.

Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG)

Non-local students who have obtained an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time and locally-accredited local programme in the HKSAR are eligible to apply for the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) visa with the Immigration Department. For details, please visit: http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/IANG.html.

Students may apply for IANG visa upon their fulfilment of the graduation requirements or after the graduation is approved by the Senate. Upon the Senate’s approval, students will be given an e-Graduation Letter, which is an important proof of your application for IANG visa.

The following timeline serves as a reference for applying the IANG testimonial during the period between fulfilling the graduation requirements and pending the Senate’s approval:

For Semester-based students:

Graduation to be Approved by the Senate	Date of Award of the Graduation Diploma	When to apply IANG testimonial?
1 January – 29 February	31 March	10 days after grade release normally
1 March – 30 June	25 July	From late-May
1 July – 30 September	31 October	From early-July or after grade release (apply to a later date)
1 October – 31 December	31 January (the following year)	10 days after grade release normally

For Trimester-based / Summer term students:

Graduation to be Approved by the Senate	Date of Award of the Graduation Diploma	When to apply IANG testimonial?
1 January – 29 February	31 March	From early-January
1 March – 30 June	25 July	From late-May
1 July – 30 September	31 October	10 days after grade release normally
1 October – 31 December	31 January (the following year)	10 days after grade release normally

For further information about downloading an e-Graduation Letter and applying a testimonial, please click HERE.