An international passport can help with Hong Kong international school admissions, but it is only one factor and not an automatic barrier if your child holds only a Hong Kong passport.

Key question: HK passport and access
Many “land grant” international schools must reserve at least 70% of places for non-local students (typically defined as students holding a foreign passport)
This means Hong Kong passport holders are mainly competing for the remaining 30%, but they are not automatically excluded and are still actively admitted where space allows. For the sake of clarity PRC passports are considered foreign.

Land-grant vs private independent
Government-assisted international schools (those given sites or premises by EDB) sign Service Agreements which usually require at least 70% non-local students, and some schools commit to even higher non-local ratios.

The EDB has shown flexibility for schools that temporarily fall short of these ratios due to events such as the pandemic and political change, but non-compliance can affect renewal of their land lease

Private independent and other “private” schools
Private Independent Schools (PIS) follow a different model and are generally positioned to serve more local students while still offering international curricula.
This includes schools such as Independent Schools Foundation (ISF), Victoria Shanghai Academy (VSA), Yew Chung International School (YCIS). Other newer schools that are considered private include Stamford American School, Wycombe Abbey and more recently the YK Pao School.
In practice, these and other fully private schools (with no government land grant) have more freedom in their passport mix and often enrol a high proportion of local passport holders while still branding themselves as international.

Debentures and nomination rights
Many international schools offer financial instruments such as debentures, capital levies, or nomination rights that can move a child up the waiting list, as long as they still meet admissions criteria.

For example, the English Schools Foundation (ESF) has offered a Nomination Rights scheme around HKD 500,000 to secure priority placement (subject to passing the assessment), while other schools operate similar debenture-style schemes.

Practical strategy for parents
A common pattern is that students hold dual or multiple passports (for example, HKSAR plus Canadian), which can help schools meet their quota requirements while reflecting Hong Kong’s largely ethnically Chinese student body.

With realistic school choices, strong academic and language preparation, and a mix of three well-chosen schools (including some with more flexible passport ratios), a family without a foreign passport can still secure suitable international school places

SEA can help if you need further assistance with applying to international schools in Hong Kong, from shortlisting suitable campuses to managing every step of the admissions process. We can help you navigate requirements such as passport quotas, debentures, and assessments, and work with you until your child is placed in your desired school of choice