Definition of Local / Non-local Students / Applicants

Q: Local Students / Applicants

According to the Education Bureau (EDB), Local Students / Applicants , for the purpose of admission to post-secondary programmes, are defined as a holder of below documents: HKID Card (Permanent) Documents issued by the Immigration Department of the HKSAR showing right to land / right of abode in Hong Kong One-way Permit for entry to Hong Kong Full-time Employment visa / Work permit Dependant visa / entry permit (for students who were below 18 years old) Note Note: Holders who were below 18 years old when first issued with such visa / entry permit by the Immigration Department of the HKSAR Visa / Entry Permit for Quality Migrant Admission Scheme Visa / Entry Permit for Capital Investment Entrant Scheme Visa / Entry Permit for Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents Visa label for unconditional stay Applicants who do not hold any of the documents above are defined as Non-local Students / Applicants .

According to the Education Bureau (EDB), Local Students / Applicants, for the purpose of admission to post-secondary programmes, are defined as a holder of below documents:

HKID Card (Permanent)
Documents issued by the Immigration Department of the HKSAR showing right to land / right of abode in Hong Kong
One-way Permit for entry to Hong Kong
Full-time Employment visa / Work permit
Dependant visa / entry permit (for students who were below 18 years old) ^NoteNote: Holders who were below 18 years old when first issued with such visa / entry permit by the Immigration Department of the HKSAR
Visa / Entry Permit for Quality Migrant Admission Scheme
Visa / Entry Permit for Capital Investment Entrant Scheme
Visa / Entry Permit for Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents
Visa label for unconditional stay

Applicants who do not hold any of the documents above are defined as Non-local Students / Applicants.

Non-Hong Kong residents who are holders of the following documents issued by the Immigration Department of the HKSAR, for the purpose of education, are classified as Non-local Students / Applicants. For details of programmes offered to Mainland or international applicants in the 2027/28 academic year and admission-related matters, please contact the VTC Mainland and International Affairs Office (MIAO) or visit the MIAO's Homepage.

Student visa / entry permit
Visa / Entry permit under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates
Dependent visa / entry permit (for students who were 18 years old or above) ^NoteNote: Holders who were 18 years old or above when issued with such visa / entry permit by the Immigration Department of the HKSAR.

Remarks:

VTC reserves the right to vary or withdraw the admission offer and/or revise the tuition fee level payable by the applicant if there is any change to applicants’ local or non-local status.
Applicants shall refer to the Government's revised eligibility criteria for subvented study places and subsidies for AY2027/28 and beyond. Applicants not meeting the revised eligibility criteria are subject to self-finance fees. If you need any further enquiry on visa requirements, please contact the Immigration Department of the HKSAR.
If there is any change to applicants’ local or non-local status, they shall immediately notify VTC Admissions Office and provide all relevant documents.