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Residence permit guide – students

Long term students (181 days of study or more) will receive a single entry 30-day visa as standard. This means the moment you enter China, the clock starts ticking for you to convert your visa into a residence permit, or you risk fines and deportation.

Remember your initial 30-day visa is a single-entry visa so do not leave China before obtaining your residence permit otherwise you won’t be able to return to China!

To get your residence permit you will need to obtain the following documents:

  • Temporary residence registration form  

If staying at a hotel or privately, you can easily obtain this document from the local police station. Bring evidence of where you are staying (hotel confirmation or rental agreement together with the landlords ID and proof of ownership if renting privately).

If staying on campus you can obtain this from your university directly. The document is always free.

  • Medical Health Certificate for foreigners

Obtained by taking a medical exam at an officially designated international travel health care centre. The certificate you will need is called 体检证明 and will cost between 400-700 RMB.

The medical exam consists of several elements, including blood and urine tests, chest x-ray, ECG, ultrasound, blood pressure, vision, hearing and general physical health. You will get the results immediately at the centre, including your certificate.

  • Completed JW201 or JW202 form

JW201 form: For full or partial Chinese government scholarship students

JW202 form: For self-funded students or those with non-governmental scholarship

Obtained from your university (usually after you’ve paid any tuition deposit). Fill it out and ensure you bring it to your appointment.

  • School introduction letter

Obtained from your university/institution confirming that you have formally enrolled to your course, that you intend to stay, and formally supporting your application for a residence permit.

In addition to these documents you will also need to bring:

  • Passport
  • Admission letter
  • 1-2 passport photos (usually you can take them on-site at the office)

Once you have everything together you can apply for your residence permit (yey!). You will need to apply in person to the local Exit and Entry Administration Office in the city that you’ll live in. Make sure to bring all the above documents.

My advice is to bring everything you think you could ever need, and more. Its better to have bought more documents than you think, than to have forgotten one. The rules can be very strict and you wouldn’t want to be turned away due to one missing document.

Your residence permit will be processed within 7 days and they will hold your passport during this time. Your residence permit will be a sticker within your passport like this:

That’s it! You have your Chinese residence permit in the bag, you can officially fly in and out of China as many times you as like with no restrictions. Time to start your new life in China – congratulations !