Hong Kong raises overseas student quota in 2026

It will also earmark new sites for hostel construction this year.

Hong Kong will expand opportunities for overseas students and strengthen its position as an international education hub, Chief Executive John Lee announced in his 2025 Policy Address today.

From the 2026 to 2027 academic year, the enrolment cap for self-financing non-local students at publicly funded post-secondary institutions will rise from 40% to 50% of local student places. 

For research postgraduate programmes, the over-enrolment ceiling will increase from 100% to 120%.

To address housing needs, the Government’s Hostels in the City Scheme will allow conversions of commercial buildings into student hostels without rezoning requirements. 

It will also earmark new sites for hostel construction this year.

A new Task Force on Study in Hong Kong will be set up to attract international students and researchers, backed by a $40m University Grants Committee fund for publicity and overseas recruitment. 

Campaigns such as “Hong Kong: Your World-class Campus” and more summer study tours will target non-local secondary students.

The Government will also advance applied science universities to promote collaboration with enterprises in the Mainland and overseas, and pursue mutual recognition of sub-degree qualifications with Mainland authorities. 

Direct Subsidy Scheme schools may expand intake of non-local students under a trial arrangement.

To improve regulation, the Education Bureau will introduce a Code of Practice for Private Schools and publish a Private School List. It will also strengthen oversight of unauthorised DSE programmes.

Digital education will receive $2b in funding through the Quality Education Fund, with a blueprint for schools due in 2026.

On talent policy, Lee said more than 230,000 people have moved to Hong Kong since new admission schemes began. 

The Top Talent Pass Scheme contributes about $34b annually, or 1.2% of the gross domestic product, with most participants working in technology and finance.

The government will also launch the Innovation & Technology Talents Exchange Scheme to encourage collaboration between universities and industry, whilst a Young Talent Training Programme will expand international internships and exchanges.

The Youth Post hostel, offering affordable accommodation for young people from the Mainland and overseas, will open this year and host around 100 cultural, sports and arts activities over five years.