In recent years, many mainland elites have gone to Hong Kong to pursue their master's degrees, a choice made both for self-improvement and to be able to settle in Hong Kong after graduation with the help of the IANG program (the arrangement for non-local graduates to stay in Hong Kong/return to Hong Kong for employment).
According to the latest statistics from the Hong Kong Immigration Department:
Between 2023 and September 2024, more than 44,000 students who came to study in Hong Kong obtained their Hong Kong status through the IANG Scheme, with the highest percentage of graduates with a master's degree.
So what are the requirements you need to fulfill if you want to study for a master's degree in Hong Kong? What is the application process? Next, we will provide you with detailed answers one by one.
01
Hong Kong Master's Degree Program
The Hong Kong Master's Degree Program is actually an immigration policy formulated by the Hong Kong SAR Government to attract foreign talents to study in Hong Kong and encourage them to stay and work in Hong Kong.
Simply put, applicants go to Hong Kong to enroll in a full-time master's degree program at a university, while their family members can accompany them to Hong Kong as dependents. Upon graduation, the applicant may apply for an IANG visa in order to seek employment in Hong Kong.
The initial period of stay for an IANG visa is 2 years. The applicant is required to find a job within the validity period of the visa and apply for an extension of stay or conversion to a working visa depending on the employment status.
After the applicant has resided in Hong Kong for a cumulative period of 7 years, he/she can apply to obtain the status of permanent resident of the Hong Kong SAR and further enjoy the benefits of Hong Kong such as education, medical care, doing business and traveling.
The flow of the program is explained in detail:
① Application and Further Study Stage
Evaluate academic background → Define the course of study → Submit application to the Hong Kong school → Obtain acceptance letter from the Hong Kong school → Apply for and obtain a student visa → Go to Hong Kong for further study (family members are allowed to go to Hong Kong)
② Graduate and apply for IANG visa
② Graduate and apply for IANG visa → Apply for IANG visa → Stay in Hong Kong for employment
③ Permanent Residence Application
After obtaining a Hong Kong Resident Identity Card and working in Hong Kong for 7 years, the applicant and his/her dependants can apply for permanent residence in Hong Kong if they fulfill the conditions of “taking Hong Kong as their place of permanent residence”.
02
Eligibility Criteria for the Master of Arts Degree Program
Compared with other talent programs, the application requirements for the Hong Kong Master of Arts Degree Program are relatively lenient, and therefore it is often regarded as one of the simpler ways to obtain Hong Kong status.
? Basic Application Requirements
★ Be at least 18 years old;
★ Hold a Bachelor's degree, or a tertiary qualification with years of management experience;
★ Good command of English and Chinese;
★ No English proficiency requirement if you choose a Chinese-taught Master's program;
★ For English-taught master's degree programs, CET Level 6 / IELTS 6.0 and above / TOEFL 79 and above English proficiency requirement;
★ Applicants should be able to pay for their own living expenses and those of their family members during the period of study in Hong Kong.
? Academic Structure
Taught Master's Degree, normally for one year.
? Fees
The tuition fee for most programs is around HK$100,000 - HK$200,000/year, and the accommodation and living expenses are around HK$100,000/year.
03
More than 40,000 mainland elites
Acquired Hong Kong Identity through the Program
According to the latest figures released by the Hong Kong Immigration Department, a total of 44,250 people have been granted IANG visas from 2023 to September 2024.
Among these approvals, there are 41,844 Mainlanders, accounting for 94.6%.
When broken down by academic qualification, the largest number of approvals were granted to those with a master's degree, with 35,219 approvals, accounting for 79.6% of the total.
This number far exceeds that of doctoral and bachelor's degree applicants combined.
The Hong Kong Master's Degree Scheme is suitable for a wide range of people, whether you wish to enhance your qualifications and professional competitiveness, stay in Hong Kong to develop your career, plan for a better education path for your children, or even wish to settle in Hong Kong, the Scheme is suitable for you.
If you are interested in applying for this program, please contact Nebula Hai International and we will provide you with customized services.
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