The immigration application begins where the university file ends. Graduation date, qualification evidence and the timing of an employment offer should be recorded before the Student status expires.
The immigration application begins where the university file ends. Graduation date, qualification evidence and the timing of an employment offer should be recorded before the Student status expires.
Who needs to deal with this
Education planning becomes an immigration and cash-flow question as soon as an offer is accepted. The Hong Kong decision should therefore be tested against admission conditions, visa timing, funding and the student's actual study plan.
A note saying “done” tells the next case owner very little. The file should at least identify who was in scope, which version was used, when the action was taken and what the authority returned.
A working checklist
These four points can sit directly in the working paper, each tied to a filename or confirmation number.
- Ask when the institution will issue final completion or award evidence.
- Calculate whether the application falls within the recent-graduate period.
- Prepare employment documents if the applicable category requires an offer.
- Keep passport, Student status and dependant dates on the same calendar.
Do not lose this distinction
A ceremony invitation is not proof that the qualification was awarded. The immigration file should use the document named by the current application requirements.
What should survive a handover
Keep the transcript, completion letter, award certificate, institution details, employment evidence where relevant and the IANG decision notice.
The handover note can be short, but it should name open items, deadlines and owners. The next case owner should not have to infer progress from email.
Publication date: 2026-09-12; editorial review date: 2026-09-14. The publication date completes the website category timeline; sources were checked on the editorial review date. This article is based on public information from Immigration Department and provides general information, not legal, tax, immigration, education or financial advice. Recheck the official page and account notices before acting on a particular case. Source: Immigration Department.