2026 Hong Kong study handbook
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Eight UGC universities — application to IANG, decoded
Independent, evidence-based guide for international students. 670 Q&A entries covering the eight UGC universities, JUPAS / non-JUPAS routes, postgraduate programmes, and the IANG post-graduation visa.
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THIS WEEK'S LEDGER
Eight UGC + IANG
A 30-week timeline from offer to 24-month visa
Non-local graduates of HK degree programmes are automatically eligible for IANG (Immigration Arrangement for Non-local Graduates) — 24 months of unrestricted work, no employer offer required for the first stamp. Below is the real timeline from offer to IANG approval.
See the full guide →⛺ Checkpoint Log 0 / 6
- ✓WK 1-2Pick programme · Compare admission criteria · Taught vs. research
- ✓WK 3-6Submit + interview · PS · CV · References · Video interview
- 3WK 7-16Offer + deposit · Pay HKD / RMB deposit · Confirm seat
- 4WK 17-22Student visa · Form ID 995A · Financial proof · Sponsor letter
- 5WK 23-28Visa approval · HKID · Apply for HKID within 30 days of arrival
- 6WK 29-30Term begins + housing · Halls / private rental / shared flat · Octopus card
Q&A Logbook
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LIVE · 670 Q&A · UPDATED REGULARLY // ADMIN: StudyIn.HK Editorial
№ 01 Immigration Department IANG Visa Common Refusal Issues: 7 Types of Document Request Reasons and Response Templates
A practical guide to the 7 most common reasons for IANG visa document requests in 2024, with case studies and response templates to help applicants avoid refusal.
CityU MSc Computer Science: IANG Stay in Hong Kong vs Singapore EP – Approval Speed & Salary Purchasing Power Comparison
A controlled comparison of IANG (Hong Kong) and EP (Singapore) work visa pathways for a CityU computer science master's graduate, covering approval timelines, salary purchasing power, and long-term residency conversion probability based on 2024 ImmD and MOM data.
Five-Year Salary Trajectory for CUHK Business Graduates: IANG Stay vs Mainland Return vs Singapore Move
For non‑local graduates completing a business degree at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), the choice among career pathways is not merely an emplo
PolyU Hospitality Graduates with IANG: Switching from Operations to RQF 4 Technician Roles
PolyU School of Hotel and Tourism Management graduates are increasingly transitioning from frontline operations to RQF 4 technician roles in data centers, labs, and engineering support. This article analyzes three cases, employer surveys, and salary data, covering IANG notification timelines, pay increases, and employer sponsorship willingness.
IANG vs UK Graduate Visa: A Comparative Experiment on Approval Difficulty, Employer Preferences, and Pathways to Permanent Residency
Compare IANG (Hong Kong) and UK Graduate Visa (2025) across approval rates, employer preferences, and PR pathways. Data from HK Immigration Dept, UGC, HKU, CUHK, HKUST, and UK Home Office.
Bridging the Gap: Three Costed Options When IANG Expires Before PR Approval
The interval between the expiry of an IANG visa and the approval of verification of permanent resident status creates a legal limbo for non‑local graduates
AI Impact on IANG-Dominated Occupations: A Forecast of Roles Still in Demand
The Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) serves as Hong Kong’s principal visa pathway for absorbing internationally educated talent, dri
Top 10 Employers Sponsoring IANG: Industry Split and Salary Bands
The Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) is a visa scheme administered by the Immigration Department of the HKSAR for non-local students
Basecamps · Universities
All university tags → The Eight UGC universities
HKU
QS '26#17
The University of Hong Kong
HKU
QS #17Eight UGCIANG 24 mo
CUHK QS '26#32
Chinese University of Hong Kong
CUHK
QS #32Eight UGCCollege system
UST QS '26#47
HK University of Science and Technology
HKUST
QS #47Eight UGCEngineering / Business
PolyU QS '26#57
Hong Kong Polytechnic University
PolyU
QS #57Eight UGCDesign / Hospitality
⛰ CAMPFIRE · HK Q&A
UGC degree or associate degree top-up?
Let's run the numbers.
Submit your transcript, GPA, budget and intended major — we will reply within 48 hours with three Hong Kong study pathways comparing entry requirements, total cost, IANG visa timeline, associate degree top-up routes, and Talent / TTPS visa fit.
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