What this guide covers
- Children arriving during the school year can contact schools directly or seek help from a Regional Education Office.
- A previous year-level name may not correspond directly to a Hong Kong class; assess curriculum and language readiness.
- Confirm the admission date and formal offer before finalising withdrawal and relocation.
Start with what your child has learned
Start with what your child has already learned before settling on a school list. Gather the last two years of reports, an enrolment letter, subjects and curriculum details. Examples of reading, writing or maths completed independently may also help. School starting dates, curriculum progress and year names can differ from those at home, so age alone does not tell you the right class. If senior secondary choices or public exams are approaching, ask first whether subjects and examinations can be continued.
- List Chinese and English textbook versions and completed maths topics to help assessment.
- Prepare existing assessments and care recommendations for learning or health needs.
Contact schools and ask about placement help
You can contact suitable schools directly to ask about transfer places, applications and assessments. Newly arrived children seeking a public primary or secondary place can also obtain placement assistance from the Education Bureau Regional Education Office for their residential area. If several schools are full, language support does not fit or replies are taking a long time, you do not have to wait indefinitely for one school. Keep a note of the schools contacted and their responses, and explain the difficulty to the Bureau.
Prepare identity and school records
- The child's identification and birth certificate, plus travel and immigration documents establishing current permission to stay.
- Parent or guardian identification, relationship or guardianship evidence and current contact details.
- Address evidence, reports, enrolment or leaving letters and photographs requested by the school.
- Relevant assessments, vaccination and allergy information; ask whether translations need certification.
Use the latest checklist from the school and Education Bureau. Keep originals for inspection and organise copies by school or purpose so further requests are easier to handle. Explain different name spellings, a replaced passport or care by relatives at the outset. The school needs to connect the documents to the same child; a short explanation can prevent uncertainty later.
Getting ready for assessments and interviews
- Tell the school the expected arrival and earliest attendance dates, and confirm its submission channel.
- Submit the requested material and record acknowledgement, assessment dates and the responsible teacher.
- After the interview, confirm the result channel, waiting-list period and outstanding documents.
- After an offer, verify the class, session, fees, registration requirements and reporting date.
For an assessment or interview, help your child become familiar with the school and the kinds of tasks they may meet. There is no need to write an impressive profile on their behalf or exaggerate their language skills. The school also needs to understand where teaching should begin. If your child does not yet understand Cantonese, say so and ask how they can get help with classroom instructions during the first weeks.
Keep learning going while a place is pending
While the place or arrival date is unsettled, ask the previous school how learning can continue and how reports and records can be handed over. Keep any lawful, workable arrangement available. The Education Bureau also offers Initiation and Induction Programmes for eligible newly arrived children; ask whether either would be suitable. If the wait for a preferred school grows long, consider the time away from learning and other children. Filling every gap with tutoring may not meet those needs.
- For senior secondary students, check subject combinations, school-based assessment and examination entry eligibility.
- Wait for confirmed admission before buying non-refundable uniforms, books or transport services.
Stay in touch through the first month
In the first week, sort out the practical details: timetable, homework platform, uniforms, lunch, collection and who to contact about an absence. Agree with the class teacher what to watch over the next few weeks. During weeks two to four, notice whether your child understands instructions, manages basic work and has someone to join at activities. That can guide decisions on language, emotional or subject support. A specific example is more helpful than simply saying that your child is not settling in.
Frequently asked questions
Must a child already have a Hong Kong identity card to apply?
Schools and the Education Bureau require evidence of identity and eligibility to study. Explain any pending card application and ask which documents are accepted rather than assuming an application is impossible.
Should we accept a recommendation to enter a lower year?
Ask for the reasons, assessment evidence and progression arrangements. Consider curriculum gaps, language and your child's views rather than the year name alone.
What if several schools have no vacancies?
Record the schools approached and their replies, then contact the Regional Education Office serving your residential area for placement assistance.
Official sources and further reading
This guide draws on the sources below, last checked on 2026-11-13. Before acting, recheck the relevant authority’s current eligibility, fees and annual arrangements.
Education BureauSchool placement for newly arrived childrenChecked 2026-11-13 · Open official sourceEducation BureauSchool information and official school listsChecked 2026-11-13 · Open official sourceEducation BureauFull-time Initiation Programme for newly arrived childrenChecked 2026-11-13 · Open official sourceCheck whether each item is an official requirement, case-specific evidence or an editorial suggestion. Other people’s experiences may help, but decisions on your case remain with Immigration or the relevant authority.
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