After You Arrive

Registering at Your Hong Kong University

After you land, finish your university registration, enrol in your courses (pick them online) and get your student card.

University Student Portal

Example programme

Example: 2026-27

Registration Steps

The usual steps after you arrive, shown for The University of Hong Kong (HKU) as an example.

Get your university account: Your university sends you login details for its student portal. At HKU, exchange students get a 10-digit student number (UID), a Portal ID and a PIN about 1 to 2 weeks before classes start.
Finish online registration: Complete it as soon as you have your account.
Enrol in courses: Pick your courses online in the set periods. Add/drop is a time when you can add or remove a course.
Get your student card: Bring a passport photo and a copy of your passport page. Bring a copy of your visa or HKID card too.
Go to orientation: Meet your faculty and student offices.

Study where your visa allows

Your student visa lets you study only at your named university, on the course the Immigration Department (ImmD) approved.

Papers for Registration

What to bring or upload when you register.

Identity and visa:

Passport - Bring it together with your e-Visa (your visa, sent to you online; print it or keep it on your phone).
HKID card - Bring it after you get your HKID card.

Study papers:

Original certificates and transcripts - At The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), master's and PhD students send their originals by the date in their offer.
Final transcript - At CUHK, students who are still in their last year of study send their final transcript before the course starts.

Student card:

ID photo - A photo for your student card (at HKU).
Passport and visa copy - A copy of your passport page and your visa or HKID card (at HKU).

Document Preparation Tips

Keep your original certificates and transcripts safe. Some universities ask you to send them before you start.
Bring a passport photo for your student card.

Check your university's list

Each university sets its own registration papers. Read the steps it sends you.

Orientation

Orientation is a set of welcome events at the start of the school year for new students from outside Hong Kong: tours of the city, the campus and the halls, and welcome talks. A hall is student housing run by the university.

Study

Campus tours.
Briefings on your programme.

Settling In

City and hall tours.
Talks to help you get used to life in Hong Kong.

Go if you can

Orientation helps you settle in and meet people quickly.

Student Card and Campus

Student Card

Your student card can get you cheaper prices at some museums, cinemas, transport companies and shops. Not every place gives a discount.

Campus Services

Universities offer health care, someone to talk to and career help on campus.

Course Enrolment

You choose and enrol in your courses online during set periods. A semester is half a school year.

How It Works

See the course list: After registration, preview the course list and timetable in your portal.
Enrol in the set period: At HKU: a course selection period in semester one and an add/drop period in both semesters.

Tips

Check each course's rules before you enrol.
A class can be full. Seats depend on how many students it takes and when it meets.

Stay on your course

Your visa is for the course ImmD approved. Ask before you change programme.

Student Support

Each university has an office for students from other countries. It helps you before you arrive and after you finish.

International or student affairs office

The first office to ask.

Arrival help and orientation.
Housing.
Scholarships.

Health and counselling

Take care of your health.

University clinic (at HKU, basic health care is free for full-time students).
Counselling (someone to talk to).

Careers

Think about what comes after your degree.

Career guidance.
Internship information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Registration Tips

Finish online registration as soon as you get your university account.
Pick your courses in the set periods. At HKU you are not signed up for courses automatically.
If the registration form asks for a Hong Kong phone number and you have none, leave it empty. Add it later.
If you may stay more than 180 days, get your Hong Kong identity card (HKID card) at a Registration of Persons Office (ROP Office) within 30 days of arriving. Book a time first. It is free.