Visiting

Visiting Research Students

Study Period and Supervisory Arrangement

The minimum study period for visiting research students should not be less than two months and the maximum study period should normally be one year. Applications for a study period of more than one year or for a subsequent extension of the study period will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Each visiting research student will be attached to a Department, which is responsible for supervising the student’s study at the University. Departments will assign a faculty member as the supervisor, who will provide academic advice and guidance on the student’s progress throughout his or her stay at the University.

Application Period

Applications for visiting research study are accepted throughout the year. As it normally takes 3 months to process a student visa, you are advised to submit the online application at least 4 months before the proposed visiting study period.

Applicants are strongly advised to visit respective College/School/Department’s website for specific requirements and contact the corresponding Research Degree Coordinator before submitting the applications.

Supporting Documents

The documents to be submitted in support of your application are listed as follows:

An official letter from your current university confirming your visiting research studies at CityUHK; and
An official transcript or testimonial issued by your current university confirming the postgraduate programme in which you are currently enrolled and will remain enrolled until the end of the visiting period at CityUHK (Any transcript or testimonial not issued in Chinese or English must be accompanied by a formal certified English translation.)

Please note the following while you are preparing the supporting documents:

It is your responsibility to provide all required information to facilitate the evaluation of your application. An incomplete submission may delay the processing of your application.
Original documents must be presented for verification upon enrolment. The provision of any false or misleading information, or failure to supply the original documents for verification, will result in disqualification of you application. Any enrolment will be rescinded and no fees paid will be refunded.
Documents unrelated to your application need not be submitted.
Submitted documents will not be returned under any circumstances.

Registration

Applicants who are offered admission should pay a research component fee upon enrolment and complete the registration procedures in person at the Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies within the specified registration period. A visiting student identity card, valid for the period of the student’s stay at the University, will be issued on completion of the registration procedures.

Such students will not be registered in a specific programme of study, and their study at the University will not lead to a degree or other University award. At the end of their stay with the University, they will be issued an academic report.

Study-related Fees

The following fees are applicable to visiting research students:

Academic Year 2026/27 (September 2026 - August 2027)

Types of Fee	Mode of Study		Remarks
Types of Fee	Full-time	Part-time	Remarks
Research component fee	HK$1,700 per calendar month		Non-refundable To be paid upon student registration
Fee for visiting research students taking taught courses	Per credit unit tuition fee at the fee level for the relevant programme		Non-refundable To be paid before the deadline stipulated by the University

Please note the following:

Fees, once paid, are non-refundable.
Fees are subject to revision from time to time without prior notification.

Responsibility and Entitlement

Visiting research students must observe the rules and regulations prescribed by the University.

They can gain access to essential library and computing services and facilities as well as sports facilities. Full-time students are welcome to apply for Student Residence managed by the University. Application for Student Residence by full-time visiting research students will be accepted on a rolling basis when there are vacancies.

Such students are not entitled to any financial assistance or awards offered by the University, such as Postgraduate Studentships and Research Tuition Scholarships. They are also not eligible for medical and dental benefits. Therefore, students are strongly advised to acquire travel insurance and any other medical or insurance coverage they consider necessary for their stay in Hong Kong.

At the end of their study at the University, visiting research students will be issued an academic report, detailing, amongst other things, their period of stay at the University and the coursework, if any, they have undertaken.

Within one month of completing their visiting research studies, students are required to complete Form SGS20 “Report on Visiting Studies at CityUHK” and a “Survey on Expectations and Experience of Visiting Research Students at CityUHK”.

Use of Application Information

Application information including your HKID card/passport number will be used in the admission evaluation process. Upon your enrolment in the University, such information will become part of your student record and may be used for all purposes relating to your study in accordance with the procedures of the University.

In accordance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, you have the right of access to and the right of correction of the information contained in your application form, and the right to request a copy of such data. If you wish to obtain more information, please write to the write to the Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies. You may be charged a fee for each request.

The application data relating to unsuccessful applicants will be destroyed at the end of the admission exercise.

Please refer to the University’s European Union and United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) Privacy Notice that may be applicable to you.

Non-local Applicants [same for International & Mainland Students]

Non-local students must obtain a student visa or an entry permit to study in Hong Kong. If you need advice on visa requirements, please consult the HKSAR Immigration Department. For applicants from the mainland, Taiwan and Macao, the cumulative duration of short-term studies taken up by any student should not exceed 180 days within any 12-month period. If you need further information, please refer to the HK Immigration Department's Guidebook for Entry for Study in Hong Kong.