After the U.S. revoked Harvard’s student visa program, Hong Kong and Macau universities moved quickly to welcome affected international students with support and offers.
On May 22, the U.S. government revoked Harvard University’s certification for student and exchange visitor programs. The move bans the school from enrolling international students. A local court has intervened in the case.
Hong Kong Acts Quickly to Attract Affected Students
In response, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government and several universities acted quickly on May 23. They launched a series of measures to attract affected students to continue their studies in Hong Kong.
Multiple Hong Kong universities extended offers to the impacted students. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) was the first to respond. On the morning of May 23, it invited current international undergraduate and graduate students of Harvard, as well as those holding admission offers. HKUST promised to prioritize their applications and credit transfers. It also set up a dedicated team to help with housing, visas, and other needs.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University said its admissions team would fully support qualified students, including scholarships. The goal is to ensure a smooth and efficient transfer process.
Lingnan University in Hong Kong opened its 2025/2026 undergraduate application process. It created a special track for transfer students. The university supports online applications from students at overseas or mainland China institutions. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis to ensure quick feedback.
Macau Encourages Universities to Assist Students in Need
Meanwhile, Macau’s Education and Youth Development Bureau announced on May 24 that it encourages local universities to assist international students affected in the U.S.. The bureau urged institutions to help with transfers and protect students’ rights to education. Each university will decide on specific measures based on its situation.
Written by Chen Wang, additional reporting by CNS.
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