Application procedures eased for some Chinese students seeking internships

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Hong Kong has updated the training visa application process for Chinese nationals who are studying abroad and planning to come to Hong Kong for an internship.

What does the change mean? Chinese nationals studying abroad can now apply for training visas on the basis of their People’s Republic of China (PRC) passport. This is true whether they are entering Hong Kong from mainland China or another country.

• Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing.
• Visas/permits impacted: Training visas.
• Who is impacted: Chinese nationals who are studying abroad and planning to come to Hong Kong for an internship.
• Processing time: The change will improve end-to-end processing times in some cases; previously Chinese nationals were required to apply for an Exit-Entry Permit if they were coming to Hong Kong from China for an internship.

Background: Training visas are typically required for foreign national students, including Chinese nationals, coming to Hong Kong for an internship. Up until now, Chinese nationals studying abroad could apply for a training visa on the basis of their PRC passport if they were entering Hong Kong from abroad. If they were entering Hong Kong from China, they were required to apply for a training visa on the basis of their Exit-Entry Permit.  Under a change that took effect late last year, Chinese nationals can now apply for a training visa on the basis of their PRC passport regardless of whether they are arriving in Hong Kong from mainland China or another country. Chinese nationals studying in China are to continue applying for a training visa on the basis of their Exit-Entry Permit and enter Hong Kong from China for an internship.

Analysis & Comments: The change is a welcome development that will ease training visa application procedures for Chinese students studying abroad.

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