International students need to apply for a student visa if they have been accepted into an MBA in Hong Kong. You will need to provide documents, including a passport, ID card, a passport-sized photo, a proof of funding. It normally takes six weeks to process a visa application. In most cases, your student visa is valid for one year. If your study program is longer than one year, you can apply for the visa again.

International students in Hong Kong are not allowed to take up any employment, paid or unpaid. However, rules are becoming more relaxed when it comes to internships and part-time employment.

If you plan to study or work in Hong Kong, you’re going to need a Hong Kong bank account. Some of the main banks in Hong Kong include the Bank of China, Citibank Hong Kong, Dah Sing Bank, and HSBC Hong Kong. To open a bank account, you’ll need to provide documents like your passport or your Hong Kong ID card, proof of address, and a valid visa.

Most banks offer the option to open a bank account online, while some will require you to visit the bank in person. The fee to maintain a bank account in Hong Kong typically ranges between HK$50-$150 (US$6-$19).

Hong Kong has the highest life expectancy in the world (85 years), an indication of its outstanding quality of healthcare.

While health insurance is not mandatory for international students, some education institutions might require you to purchase accident, hospitalization, medical expenses, and evacuation coverage before you begin your MBA in Hong Kong. The government provides all public health services free of charge – or in some cases for a small fee. Many universities provide comprehensive healthcare to students on-campus.

There are different types of student accommodation on offer in Hong Kong, including on-campus and off-campus accommodation. To save money and traveling time, on-campus accommodation is the best fit for you. Fees for on-campus living typically range from HK$5,000 (US$630) to HK$15,000 (US$1,900) per semester.

Off-campus accommodation includes student hostels and private rental apartments. Living off-campus is more expensive than on-campus, ranging from HK$8,000 (US$1,000) to HK$15,000 (US$1,900) per month depending on the size, location, and type of accommodation. Note that accommodation in the city or close to the university campus is often difficult to secure and more expensive than other options. Sharing an apartment or flat with roommates can help you save money.

Hong Kong has a modern public transportation system that includes metros, trams, mini-buses, taxis, and ferries. The MTR (Mass Transit Railway) has 98 stations that connect major centers and even borders connecting to Mainland China.

The most convenient option might be to get an Octopus Card, which can be used on all types of public transport (excluding taxis and red mini-buses), as well as in many convenience stores and fast-food restaurants. The Octopus Card must be preloaded with a minimum of HK$50 (US$6).

The Big Mac Index was invented by The Economist in 1986 as an informal way of measuring the purchasing power parity (PPP) between two currencies. The price of a Big Mac in Hong Kong is HK$22 (equivalent to US$2.80, EUR€2.65, and JP¥358). For US$50, you can buy 17 Big Macs.

Study in Hong Kong recommends budgeting between HK$30,000 and HK$50,000 (US$3,800 to US$6,400) per year for general living costs, like food, leisure, and transportation (excluding rent). Curious how much a Starbucks coffee or a movie ticket costs in Hong Kong? Study in Hong Kong provides this handy breakdown of how much things cost in Hong Kong.