EDUN N28-34-009 V5

03403

28 May 2003 

REFINEMENTS TO MEASURES ON FOREIGN STUDENTS’ TRAVEL

1.          The Ministry of Education (MOE) has reviewed the package of measures aimed at minimising the risk of importation of SARS from foreign students returning from overseas.

2.          Foreign students travelling only to non-SARS affected countries will no longer need to place a $1,000 deposit. Students in national schools and the Institute of Technical Education will only need to re-apply for a new Student Pass once, to facilitate the signing of an undertaking by their local sponsors to assume full responsibility for their wards. Students in polytechnics and universities do not need to re-apply for Student Passes at all.

3.          In lieu of the requirements to place a $1,000 deposit and to re-apply for Student Passes each time they travel, the foreign students will have to sign a declaration that they are travelling only to non-SARS affected countries. Any student found to have made a false declaration will lose his place in school and have his Student Pass revoked.

4.          The changes are summarised at Annex.

Annex

REFINEMENTS TO MEASURES ON FOREIGN STUDENTS’ TRAVEL

Students	Countries	Re-application of Student Pass	$1,000 Deposit
Foreign students in national schools and ITE	Travelling to non-SARS affected country	One-time reapplication if travelling from 1 June 2003, to facilitate the signing of local sponsorship undertaking. No further reapplication required for subsequent travel to non-SARS-affected country. Students will have to sign a declaration each time they travel.	Waived if students sign a declaration that they are travelling only to non-SARS affected countries. Any student found to have made a false declaration will lose his place in school and have his Student Pass revoked.
	Travelling to SARS-affected country	Reapply each time they travel (including signing of local sponsorship undertaking). 10-day Leave of Absence (LOA) and medical clearance at the end of LOA.	Deposit required each time they travel.
Foreign students in polytechnics and universities	Travelling to non-SARS affected country	No reapplication required. But students have to sign a declaration that they are travelling only to non-SARS affected countries.	Waived if students sign a declaration that they are travelling only to non-SARS affected countries. Any student found to have made a false declaration will lose his place in the institution and have his Student Pass revoked.
	Travelling to SARS-affected country	Reapply each time they travel to SARS-affected country. 10-day LOA and medical clearance at the end of LOA.	Deposit required each time they travel