The Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme (VPAS) is an initiative promulgated by the HKSAR Government in support of the Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET). This new measure would provide more skilled manpower to meet the needs arising from the economic restructuring and technological advancement of Hong Kong. By putting in place the diverse training modes and programmes, it can nurture high-caliber vocational and professional talents to expand the talent pool for Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and even our country, thereby enhancing the comparative advantages of VPET in Hong Kong and driving economic growth at both the national and local levels.
The VPAS will run as pilot for two years. Under the scheme, non-local students (including those from the Mainland, other countries and regions) enrolled in designated full-time VTC Higher Diploma programmes in Hong Kong for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 academic years will upon graduation be eligible to apply for employment in Hong Kong. These graduates can enter different professional industries related to their study programmes, including Aviation, Transport and Logistics; Innovation and Technology; Electrical and Mechanical Services; Building, Civil Engineering and Built Environment; and Maritime.
Highlights of VPAS:
- 2-year pilot scheme (admission for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 academic years)
- Applicable to non-local students (including those from the Mainland China and other countries/regions¹)
- Applicant for VPAS visa must be aged 18 or above
- Studying one of the 27 full-time Higher Diploma (2-year) programmes in five professional industries offered by the VTC, as designated by the HKSAR Government
- Eligible to apply for a 1-year VPAS visa to stay in Hong Kong for job search upon graduation²
- Required to work full-time in a profession relevant to their programme of study
- Eligible to apply for Hong Kong permanent residency after accumulating a total of 7 years of residency in Hong Kong (including two years of study, one year for job search and subsequent four years of employment)
(1) Not applicable to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Nepal and Vietnam.
(2) Higher Diploma graduates can also pursue full-time study of bachelor’s degree programmes in Hong Kong after graduation. Interested applicants can contact VTC for more information.
List of Designated Full-time VTC Higher Diploma Programmes:
Aviation, Transport and Logistics
| Programme | Programme Code | Discipline |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Diploma in Aviation and Logistics | BA114056 | Business |
| Higher Diploma in Aviation and Logistics (Medium of Instruction: Putonghua) | BA114056K | Business |
| Higher Diploma in Aviation Inflight and Passenger Services | BA114057 | Business |
| Higher Diploma in Aviation Services and Transport Studies | BA114058 | Business |
| Higher Diploma in Aviation Services and Transport Studies (Medium of Instruction: Putonghua) | BA114058K | Business |
| Higher Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering | EG114704 | Engineering |
| Higher Diploma in Aviation Systems and Operations | EG114738 | Engineering |
| Higher Diploma in Airport Operations Management | HT114107 | Hospitality |
| Higher Diploma in Airport Operations Management (Medium of Instruction: Putonghua) | HT114107K | Hospitality |
Innovation and Technology
| Programme | Programme Code | Discipline |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Diploma in Software Engineering | IT114105 | Information Technology |
| Higher Diploma in Game Software Development | IT114107 | Information Technology |
| Higher Diploma in Cloud and Data Centre Administration | IT114115 | Information Technology |
| Higher Diploma in AI and Mobile Applications Development | IT114118 | Information Technology |
| Higher Diploma in Cybersecurity | IT114122 | Information Technology |
| Higher Diploma in AI and Smart Technology | IT114124 | Information Technology |
| Higher Diploma in Data Science and AI | IT114126 | Information Technology |
| Higher Diploma in Games and Animation | IT114206 | Information Technology |
| Higher Diploma in Theme Park and Theatre Creative Technology | IT114208 | Information Technology |
| Higher Diploma in Multimedia, VR and Interactive Technology | IT114212 | Information Technology |
Electrical and Mechanical Services
| Programme | Programme Code | Discipline |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Diploma in Electrical Engineering | EG114401 | Engineering |
| Higher Diploma in Mechanical Engineering | EG114701 | Engineering |
Building, Civil Engineering and Built Environment
| Programme | Programme Code | Discipline |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Diploma in Architectural Design* | DE110512* | Design |
| Higher Diploma in Landscape Architecture* | DE110512* | Design |
| Higher Diploma in Civil Engineering | EG114101 | Engineering |
| Higher Diploma in Building Studies | EG114105 | Engineering |
| Higher Diploma in Surveying | EG114111 | Engineering |
| Higher Diploma in Architectural Technology and Design | EG114142 | Engineering |
| Higher Diploma in Geospatial Science and Land Surveying | EG114143 | Engineering |
| Higher Diploma in Building Services Engineering | EG114702 | Engineering |
* Applicant should apply for “Higher Diploma in Architecture, Interior and Landscape Design (Subject Group)” (DE110512). The 1st semester is a common semester, students will progress to the professional programmes in the 2nd semester.
Maritime
| Programme | Programme Code | Discipline |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Diploma in Maritime Studies | EG114712 | Engineering |
For more details, kindly contact:
Bevin, +8618675508982 (Wechat and WhatsApp account).