For the definition of local and non-local students, please refer to the link below:
https://www.jupas.edu.hk/en/page/detail/3670/#def_nls

Moreover, on July 31, 2025 the Government announced the revision of the eligibility criteria for government-subsidised post-secondary student places and subsidies: introducing two categories of tuition fees and revising the eligibility criteria. The revision will apply to the 2027/28 academic year and thereafter (the application cycle for the 2027/28 academic year commencing in October 2026). This will allow the affected persons reasonable time to make their own plans and the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS) Office and the admissions offices of various institutions sufficient time to make corresponding administrative arrangements.

Two categories of tuition fees are introduced under the revision. Category I refers to subsidised fees. Persons holding the following documents are eligible for tuition waiver in relation to University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded Research Postgraduate (RPg) programmes:

• A Hong Kong permanent identity card, other documents issued by the ImmD showing the right to land/right of abode in Hong Kong, and a visa label for unconditional stay;
• A One-way Permit for entry to Hong Kong; and
• A dependant visa/entry permit: holders who were below 18 years old when first issued with such visa/entry permit by the ImmD, provided that they have resided in Hong Kong for two years immediately preceding the first day of their respective programmes. Regarding first-year student places, to facilitate institutions' admissions procedures, the two-year period will be specified appropriately by the JUPAS office or the institutions concerned having regard to the first day of the respective programmes. Whether the residency requirement is met is determined at or before the start of each academic year and shall remain the same for the remainder of that academic year. The first day of the academic year of a programme is determined by the programme's start day.

Category II refers to non-subsidised fees and applies to persons not meeting the eligibility criteria in the above-mentioned Category I. These persons include:

• Dependant visa/entry permit holders who were below 18 years old when first issued with such visa/entry permit by the ImmD, and they do not meet the two-year residency requirement;
• Holders of a full-time employment visa/work permit;
• Holders of a visa/entry permit for various admission schemes (including the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme or the Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents); and
• Non-local students (such as holders of a student visa/entry permit; holders of a visa/entry permit under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates; dependant visa/entry permit holders who were 18 years old or above when first issued with such visa/entry permit by the ImmD).

Category II persons may still apply for UGC-funded Research Postgraduate (RPg) programmes but cannot qualify for the tuition waiver.

The Government will put in place a transitional arrangement for the above-mentioned revision, whereby the residency requirement for the 2027/28 academic year (its application cycle commencing in October 2026) will be set at one year. The two-year residency requirement will be implemented starting from the 2028/29 academic year.

For the original announcement regarding the revision of the eligibility criteria for government-subsidised post-secondary student places and subsidies applicable to the 2027/28 academic year and thereafter, please refer to the link below:

https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202507/31/P2025073100290.htm