A minimum stay of two years in Hong Kong will be mandatory for children of non-local talent to be eligible for subsidised tertiary education places, the government has announced.

But the Education Bureau on Thursday said the policy change, which will be in full force in the 2028-29 academic year, is not expected to "have a significant impact on families with genuine intentions to come to Hong Kong for development".

Currently, students who first received dependent visas or entry permits when they were under 18 years old can apply for the 15,000 undergraduate programme places funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC).

The bureau said it has taken note of recent concerns that "some of these students did not come to reside in Hong Kong but applied for government-subsidised places at UGC-funded universities as local students".

This affected the opportunities of locals for university admission and the targeted use of public funds, it added.

"The Education Bureau, having regard to overseas practices and the practical situation in Hong Kong, considers it necessary for dependent children to reside in Hong Kong for two years before becoming eligible for government-subsidised post-secondary student places," a government statement said.

"Holders of a full-time employment visa or work permit or a visa or entry permit for various admission schemes will no longer be eligible for government-subsidised post-secondary student places."

Secretary for Education Christine Choi said officials had taken reference from similar policies in places such as Singapore and the UK and considered the views of different stakeholders.

"We believe a two-year period is an appropriate timeframe, and that it's not as demanding as having a three-year residency requirement because these families have to make certain preparations, arrangements and plans before moving to Hong Kong," Choi told RTHK.

An Education Bureau spokesman said authorities settled on the two-year residency requirement "to find a middle ground".

"We will introduce this [policy change] first, then review and monitor the situation. Once we have implemented the policy, we will monitor the applications of dependent students and see whether there are any changes," he said.

"We have a mechanism in place for students to adjust their tuition fees from one academic year to the next based on the change in their status... which depends on individual circumstances."

To prove that dependent children satisfy the residency requirement, they must either be enrolled as a full-time student in a school for two years before the higher education programme begins, or show that they have not been away from Hong Kong for more than 90 days in each of the two years.

The residency requirement for the 2027-28 academic year will be set at one year as a transitional move, before the two-year requirement takes full effect from the 2028-29 year.
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Last updated: 2025-07-31 HKT 17:32