Can You Sit the IIQE From Outside Hong Kong? Yes — the Remotely Invigilated Mode

Last updated 2026-08-09

"Do I have to be physically in Hong Kong?" is the question most often asked by candidates based elsewhere — and most guides only describe the paper-and-pencil and computer-based modes, never mentioning the third one.

There is an official mode you can sit from home: the Remotely Invigilated Mode of Examination (RIME), applicable since 1 September 2023.

This page sets out what it covers and what it does not. Every point cites its source.

In one line

You sit the examination at home or another private location, on your own computer, invigilated remotely.

Three hard limits — check these first

Limit 1: only Papers I, II and III are available.

Paper V (Investment-linked Long Term Insurance) is not offered under this mode. For Paper V you must attend a centre in Hong Kong.

Limit 2: only candidates who are not currently individual licensees.

From item 2 of the official FAQ:

"The remotely invigilated mode is available only to candidates who are not currently individual licensees but intend to apply to the Insurance Authority for an insurance intermediary licence."

In other words, the mode exists for people who have not yet entered the industry. If you are already licensed and need to add a paper, this route is closed to you. This is the limit people miss most often — usually discovering it when the enrolment is rejected.

Limit 3: the same paper cannot be booked more than once in the same calendar month.

If you were planning tight resit cycles, note this is stricter than the paper-and-pencil rule (no more than one sitting of the same paper in the same week).

Fees: remote costs considerably more

At HK$850 the remote mode is more than four times the paper-and-pencil fee. What that premium buys is not having to travel — whether it is worth it is arithmetic only you can do. If you were going to be in Hong Kong anyway (opening an account, interviews, document appointments), attending in person is cheaper.

Build in some slack

• Candidates whose enrolment is accepted receive the admission email **at least 3 full working days

before** the examination date

• Each paper may be taken in Chinese or in English

Do not compress your schedule to the last day. The remote-mode admission notice comes three working days ahead, not instantly on enrolment.

Choosing between the three modes

Sources and currency

The papers available, enrolment restrictions and admission-notice lead time come from the Remotely Invigilated Mode of Examination FAQ (applicable from 1 September 2023); the remote fee from item 5 of the same document. Fees for the paper-and-pencil and computer-based modes come from clause 5.1 of the Insurance Intermediaries Qualifying Examination (Paper-and-Pencil and Computer-based Modes) Handbook, applicable from 1 September 2025. All retrieved 2026-08-09.

Clause 5.5 of the handbook states that fees are subject to adjustment when necessary. These figures have a shelf life; check the current official version before enrolling. Mange is not an official body. Nothing here is enrolment advice; the official announcements of the Insurance Authority and the PEAK Examination Centre govern.

Not sure which papers you need? See the business-category table. Not sure whether you are eligible at all? The handbook is unusually clear on that one.