Revised policy for children of foreign experts in Hong Kong, aimed at promoting fairness
Hong Kong has announced a new policy that requires dependent children of non-local talent to have resided in the city for a minimum period before they can apply for subsidized tertiary education. The policy change, which will take effect in the 2027-28 academic year, aims to ensure fairness and the reasonable use of public funds.
Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin defended the policy change, stating that there are individuals who have never lived in Hong Kong but have completed their secondary education exams as private candidates in mainland China or elsewhere. This practice, she explained, allows these dependants to use their Diploma of Secondary Education results and local resident status to apply for subsidized university places at government-funded tertiary institutions at local student fees.
Under the new policy, dependent children of non-local talent must have lived in Hong Kong for at least one year to be eligible for local student status and reduced tuition fees. From the 2028-29 academic year onwards, this residency requirement will increase to two years.
The government also excludes individuals holding full-time work visas or certain other entry permits from eligibility for subsidized fees under this policy, requiring them instead to pay the non-subsidized fees charged to non-residents. A transitional arrangement will allow dependent children applying in the 2027-28 academic year to qualify with one year's residency, providing a reasonable adjustment period before the full two-year requirement takes effect in 2028-29.
The policy change was prompted by a marked increase—fivefold from 2022 to 2024—in applications from this group, which raised concerns about fairness and the sustainability of public funding allocation. The Education Bureau emphasized that the revision balances societal views and aims not to adversely impact families genuinely intending to settle and contribute long-term to Hong Kong.
The policy is part of efforts to ensure fairness and the reasonable use of public funds in tertiary education. By enforcing a residency requirement, the government intends to prioritize genuine local students and ensure that subsidies benefit those truly residing and contributing to the community, maintaining the integrity and reasonable use of government funding for tertiary education.
- The new policy in Hong Kong's education-and-self-development sector aims to prioritize genuine local students by enforcing a residency requirement, addressing concerns about fairness and the reasonable use of public funds in tertiary education.
- The policy change in Hong Kong's policy-and-legislation regarding education is a response to a significant increase in applications from non-local talent, prompting efforts to ensure fairness and the sensible use of public funds in general-news reports.
