Fwd: Request for Access To Information (ImmD RM/6-5/10/2020/261(R))

[Simon H WANG]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <enq...@immd.gov.hk>
Date: Mon, Jun 8, 2020 at 3:28 PM
Subject: Request for Access To Information (ImmD RM/6-5/10/2020/261(R))
To: <simo...@hkbu.edu.hk>

Our Ref. : IL/00272923/20 &ImmD RM/6-5/10/2020/261(R)

 

Dear Dr. Wang

 

I refer to your application for access to information on 20 May 2020. Further to our interim reply on 29 May 2020, I am authorised to reply you as follows.

 

Item 1. How many new non-local students came to Hong Kong for university studies in Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Fall 2018 and Fall 2019 respectively? Please provide the breakdown numbers for undergraduate and postgraduate students, if available. (After the telephone conversation with you, it is clarified that you would like to have the statistics from May to August of 2016 to 2019.)

 

The statistics on non-local students permitted to come to study programmes at degree level or above in Hong Kong are tabulated as follows:

 

Breakdown by level of programme:

Level of Programme	Number of applications approved
	2016 (May-Aug)	2017 (May-Aug)	2018 (May-Aug)	2019 (May-Aug)
Degree level	3 612	4 110	5 219	5 596
Postgraduate level	13 511	13 648	16 193	20 627
Others^	5 744	5 619	6 983	8 481
Total	22 867	23 377	28 395	34 704

^ Including exchange programmes at degree level or above and short-term programmes run by local higher education institutions with degree-awarding powers

 

Item 2. Among those coming to HK in Fall 2018, how many have applied for IANG as fresh graduates? How many applied for IANG as returning graduates? Please provide the latest figures available. (After the telephone conversation with you, it is clarified that you would like to have monthly breakdown of approval statistics.)

 

The statistics on applications approved under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (“IANG”) are tabulated as follows:

2018	Number of applications approved
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Non-local Fresh graduates	319	267	187	176	120	816	2 845	2 429	822	802	508	268
Returning non-local graduates	49	30	43	35	48	46	59	94	53	42	47	45
Total	368	297	230	211	168	862	2 904	2 523	875	844	555	313

 

2019	Number of applications approved
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Non-local Fresh graduates	357	259	318	136	144	768	3 069	2 500	1 289	727	374	243
Returning non-local graduates	41	43	45	48	50	55	27	71	76	60	54	45
Total	398	302	363	184	194	823	3 096	2 571	1 365	787	428	288

 

The Immigration Department does not maintain other breakdown statistics mentioned in the question.

 

Item 3. What are the justifications for requiring a letter of consent from the applicant's present working unit or relevant Mainland authorities (page 8 of ID 990A) [for Mainland residents only] https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/IANG.html#secondTab

 

The letter of consent arrangement is in place such that the applicant's present working unit or relevant Mainland authorities is aware the applicant is applying for entry for employment in Hong Kong and in the case that the application is approved, they consent to the applicant’s entry.

 

Item 4. When did the department go paperless for issuing entry permission to Mainland visitors? What are the advantages of not issuing printed entry permission? (After clarification during the telephone conversation with you, it is agreed to modify this question to "When did the department start the non-stamping immigration clearance to Mainland visitors?" )

 

The non-stamping immigration clearance for visitors was implemented on 19 March 2013.

 

Item 5. What is the justification of issuing paper-based entry permission to non-local students? Does the department plan to go paperless for entry permission to non-local students as well? (After clarification during the telephone conversation with you, it is agreed that "paper-based entry permission" in the question means the visa labels.)

 

Under the prevailing arrangement, a visa/entry permit label will be issued upon successful application.  The visa/entry permit label should be affixed onto a blank visa page of the applicant's travel document for presentation to the immigration officer upon arrival in Hong Kong.

 

ImmD has been developing the "Next Generation Application and Investigation Easy Systems" (the new system) for implementation in phases from 2021.  Regarding the application for visas/entry permits, the new system will enhance service delivery through various improvement initiatives which include introducing electronic notification of application results.

 

I hope you will find the above information of use.

 

 

Regards,

 

SUM Henry Ka-Hing

for Director of Immigration

To learn more about the application requirements and procedures of the most frequently used services provided by the Hong Kong Immigration Department, you are welcome to visit the Easy Access Playlist at Hong Kong Immigration Department YouTube Channel. The concerned video clips have Cantonese voice-over supplemented by Chinese or English subtitles.

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