To enhance learning and enrichment opportunities for international students, enhance their personal exposure and knowledge of working in Hong Kong and incentivize them to stay in Hong Kong for development after graduation, the Immigration Department of HKSAR Government announced the implementation of measures which allow full-time non-local students (except exchange-in students) to take up employment during and after their study program. The arrangement has been implemented on a trial basis until Oct 31, 2025.
- Employment during Study
Undergraduates (UG):
Starting from Nov 1, 2024, the Government announced that full-time non-local undergraduate students would be temporarily exempted from the restrictions on taking up part-time jobs. The arrangement would be implemented on a trial basis until Oct 31, 2025. Eligible non-local undergraduate students would be issued a "No Objection Letter" (NOL) upon approval of entry or extension of stay applications that allows them to take up any employments during their program of study.
According to the University regulations, undergraduate students may not engage in employment for more than 10 hours per week on average during a regular academic term (i.e. Fall and Spring). Any exception to this rule requires the approval of the relevant Dean or the Dean’s designee.
HKUST Schools/Departments/Units and designated operators on HKUST Campus can offer part-time on-campus employment for non-local HKUST students. The maximum number of working hours for non-local students to take up on-campus employment is 10 hours per week during regular terms and 20 hours during the winter break.
Postgraduates (PG):
To enhance learning and enrichment opportunities for international students, the Government announced that starting from Nov 1, 2023, full-time non-local postgraduate students would be temporarily exempted from the restrictions on taking up part-time jobs. The arrangement would be implemented on a trial basis until Oct 31, 2025. Eligible non-local postgraduate students would be issued an updated NOL upon approval of entry or extension of stay applications that allows them to take up any employments during their program of study.
To ensure satisfactory academic performance, no conflict of interest and breach of University’s Intellectual Property Policy, all HKUST full-time research postgraduate students who wish to take up any employment are required to seek prior approval from the University BEFORE commencement of work.
All full-time local and non-local taught postgraduate students may take up employment without any limit on the work hours and location. However, to ensure satisfactory academic performance, taught postgraduate students are strongly advised not to take up employment of more than 18 hours per week.
For more details, please click here.
- Employment after Study
Non-local students who have obtained an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time and locally accredited local program in Hong Kong may apply for staying/returning and working in Hong Kong under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG). With IANG, non-local graduates may take up graduate employment without the need for a working visa. Click here for further information.
