Christine Choi defends 'reasonable' two-year residency rule for subsidized university places

Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin defended the new two-year residency requirement for government-funded tertiary education access, which aims to safeguard university admission opportunities and ensure the targeted use of public funds.

The revision follows growing concerns that some dependent visa/entry permit holders did not reside in the city but still applied for government-subsidized student places as local students.

The education chief noted that the revisions are "reasonable" and "mild", as the definition of "local students" for those holding dependent visas under the scheme will remain unchanged.

Choi added that the authorities will provide transitional arrangements to ensure that incoming talents have adequate time to prepare for the changes, as the two-year residency requirement will take effect starting in the 2028/29 academic year.

Meanwhile, Choi acknowledged that children's education is a key factor for talents relocating to Hong Kong, alongside considerations such as investment, career opportunities, and lifestyle.

She believed that the impact on affected families has been minimized, as students on dependent visas who are not qualified for government-subsidized post-secondary student spaces will still be allowed to attend local universities by paying an unsubsidized tuition fee.