Lori Meadows
Hong Kong has recently expanded work rights for international students, removing part-time work restrictions for undergraduates and enhancing postgraduate opportunities. This makes the region an appealing study destination for international students, as well as a competitive hub for talent and business. International students in Hong Kong can now work part-time without restrictions on industry, hours, or location, and full-time foreign postgraduate students can work up to 20 hours per week in internships or summer jobs with a No Objection Letter (NOL). Additionally, F-1 nonimmigrant students who are Hong Kong residents can request employment authorization and work more hours while maintaining their student status. However, it is important for students to balance work and study to maintain good academic standing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can international students work in Hong Kong? | Depends on the type of work and the student's visa status. |
| Types of work | Part-time work, internships, voluntary work, research work, summer jobs, on-campus employment |
| Visa status | Non-local students, F-1 nonimmigrant students, exchange students |
| Work hour restrictions | No limit on working hours for part-time work and internships |
| Work location restrictions | No limit on work locations for part-time work and internships |
| Work eligibility | Undergraduate and postgraduate students are eligible for part-time work. Undergraduate students can take up internships if they are curriculum-related and arranged by their institution. Postgraduate students can work up to 20 hours per week with a No Objection Letter (NOL). |
| Consequences of unauthorized work | Prosecution and removal from Hong Kong under the Immigration Ordinance |
| Post-graduation work options | Persons with an undergraduate or higher qualification from a full-time, locally accredited local programme in Hong Kong may apply to stay/return and work under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates. |
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What You'll Learn
Undergraduate students can take up internships
Hong Kong has introduced significant changes to its foreign student employment policy, making the city a competitive destination for international education. The changes aim to attract and retain international talent while supporting its higher education sector.
The duration of the internship is limited to one academic year or one-third of the normal duration of the relevant full-time academic programme, whichever is shorter. It is important to note that students cannot take up internships before they are officially registered with their institutions and begin attending scheduled classes. Additionally, students must ensure they do not breach any conditions of stay, as it may render them liable to prosecution and removal from Hong Kong under the Immigration Ordinance.
To secure an internship, undergraduate students can check with their university's career services or student affairs office for available opportunities. They can also refer to the Hong Kong Immigration Department's website for detailed instructions and guidelines.
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Postgraduate students can work 20 hours weekly
Postgraduate students in Hong Kong can now work up to 20 hours per week in internships or summer jobs. This is a significant change in policy, which has been introduced to attract and retain international talent, and support the higher education sector.
The new rules apply to full-time foreign postgraduate students, who must obtain a No Objection Letter (NOL) from the Hong Kong Immigration Department. The NOL ensures that students' employment is aligned with their academic pursuits, and that they maintain a balance between work and study.
The Hong Kong government will review the policy in 2025, assessing its effectiveness in fostering talent development and supporting the economy and educational goals. The review will also consider the impact on talent retention and the territory's appeal as a global education hub.
The change in policy has removed part-time work restrictions for undergraduates and enhanced opportunities for postgraduates. Previously, only postgraduate students could apply for an NOL, but now undergraduates are also exempt from part-time work restrictions.
It is important to note that, despite these changes, non-local students are generally not allowed to take up paid or unpaid employment during their studies. However, non-local students of full-time, locally-accredited programmes at undergraduate level or above, whose study period is at least one academic year, are temporarily exempted from employment restrictions.
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Students can work part-time without restrictions
Hong Kong has introduced significant changes to its foreign student employment policy, with the aim of attracting and retaining international talent while supporting its higher education sector. These changes mean that full-time foreign undergraduate students are now exempt from part-time work restrictions.
Previously, only postgraduate students could work part-time without restrictions, provided they obtained a No Objection Letter (NOL) from the Hong Kong Immigration Department. This letter ensures that students' employment aligns with their academic pursuits, maintaining a balance between work and studies.
Now, undergraduates can take up part-time employment without restrictions on industry, hours, or location. This includes summer jobs, which can be undertaken without any limit in relation to working hours and location. However, it is important to balance work and study to maintain good academic standing.
International students in Hong Kong can also take up internships, which can be a great way to gain valuable work experience while studying. These internships must be study/curriculum-related and arranged or endorsed by the student's institution. There is no restriction on the nature of work, level of salary, location, number of working hours, or employers for internship arrangements.
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Students can apply for employment after graduation
Hong Kong has introduced significant changes to its foreign student employment policy, aiming to attract and retain international talent. These changes present new opportunities for both students and local employers. Students can gain practical experience that complements their studies, while businesses can engage with a more diverse and skilled workforce.
Full-time foreign undergraduate students are now exempt from part-time work restrictions. Previously, these exemptions were only available to postgraduate students. This policy shift opens up more flexible employment opportunities for undergraduates, allowing them to gain valuable work experience while studying.
Postgraduate students can work up to 20 hours per week in internships or summer jobs, provided they obtain a No Objection Letter (NOL) from the Hong Kong Immigration Department. The NOL ensures that students' employment is aligned with their academic pursuits, helping them maintain a balance between work and studies.
After completing their studies, non-local graduates of full-time and locally accredited local programmes in Hong Kong may apply to stay, return, and work in Hong Kong under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates. In 2023, over 26,000 non-local graduates were approved to stay in or return to Hong Kong after graduation.
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Students can work more hours in the summer
Hong Kong has introduced significant changes to its foreign student employment policy, aiming to attract and retain international talent. These changes present new opportunities for both students and local employers.
Full-time foreign undergraduate students are now exempt from part-time work restrictions. Previously, only postgraduate students could take advantage of this exemption. This policy shift opens up more flexible employment opportunities for undergraduates, allowing them to gain valuable work experience while studying. Postgraduate students can work up to 20 hours per week in internships or summer jobs, provided they obtain a No Objection Letter (NOL) from the Hong Kong Immigration Department. The NOL ensures that students' employment is aligned with their academic pursuits, helping them maintain a balance between work and studies.
Students can take on internships, part-time jobs, and summer jobs without restrictions on working hours and location. This includes summer jobs from 1 June to 31 August, which can help students manage their expenses through careful planning and budgeting.
It is important to note that non-local students on exchange programs are excluded from these exemptions and are subject to different regulations. Additionally, students must adhere to the conditions set out in their NOL, as a breach of any condition of stay will result in prosecution and removal from Hong Kong.
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Frequently asked questions
International students in Hong Kong are generally not allowed to take up any paid or unpaid employment during their study period. However, there are some exemptions. Full-time foreign postgraduate students can work up to 20 hours per week in internships or summer jobs with a No Objection Letter (NOL). Undergraduate students are also now exempt from part-time work restrictions.
A NOL ensures that students engage in employment that is aligned with their academic pursuits. To obtain a NOL, you must submit an application to the Hong Kong Immigration Department with proof of graduation (degree certificate or official transcript).
Breaching any condition of your stay will render you liable to prosecution and removal from Hong Kong.
