Study Visa and Residence Permit in China
International students should apply for an X1 visa (for long-term study, more than 180 days) or an X2 visa (for short-term study, less than 180 days) at the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate in your country. To apply for a visa, students should submit the relevant materials to the Chinese embassy or consulate as required, including a valid personal passport (validity of at least 6 months), admission notice (issued by the International Students Division, Peking University), "Visa Application Form for Study in China" (JW201/JW202 form for X1 visa application) or "Information Form for Short-term Study in China" (DQ Form for X2 visa application), and a certificate of enrollment (issued by the Graduate School or the PKU Undergraduate Education). After your visa has been approved, please ensure that the aforementioned documents are returned together when you collect your passport, as you will need these documents for further procedures after your arrival in China.
- X1 Visa: The validity period (the permitted period of stay in China from the date of entry) of the X1 visa is 30 days. International students are required to convert their X1 visa to a study residence permit within 30 days after entering the country.
- X2 Visa: The X2 visa is valid for a period of no longer than 180 days. International students can apply for a visa extension and increase the number of entries. However, regardless of extension or increase in the number of entries, the total length of stay in China for the original X2 visa after any extension or increase in the number of permitted entries must not exceed 365 days. With an X2 visa, you will be unable to complete the add internship information procedure.
- Study Residence Permit: International students must change their X1 visa to a residence permit for studies within 30 days after arrival in China. International students are allowed to enter and exit the country multiple times within the validity period of the residence permit. Additionally, students who are applying for a residence permit in Beijing for the first time in two years will have to submit the “Verification Certificate of Physical Examination Record for Foreigners” issued by the International Travel Health Care Center.
Visa Procedures
Application process
First, please prepare your materials according to the table in “2. Required materials”.
Then, submit your personal information on the online application system of the visa processing agency (Beijing Traders Link Company). Proceed to the International Students Division (“ISD”, 3rd floor of New Sun Student Center) with the required documents and certificates to affix the official seal on the visa application form. International students can choose to go to the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau Exit-Entry Administration to apply for the visa by themselves with their passports and other documents (including the visa application form, which has been stamped with the official ISD seal), or they can pay a fee to entrust the visa agent to do the application on their behalf. The agent fee is 200 RMB per person; the visa fee depends on the actual country and type of visa applied for, and will be collected by the visa agency on behalf of the applicant. The processing time is usually 8-10 working days, and international students should come to the ISD office to collect their passports when they are notified of the completion of the application. International students (except for some scholarship students) must pay the tuition fee in full and on time for at least the current academic year. Payment of the tuition fee is a prerequisite for online registration in the ISD system.
Required materials
- Valid Passport
- Admission Notice
- JW202/201
- 2-inch photo without a hat on white background
- (Temporary) Accommodation Registration Form
- Tuition fee and insurance fee
- Verification Certificate of Physical Examination Record for a foreigner
- Diploma / End of work certificate
Regarding the (temporary) accommodation registration form
Foreigners living in China must complete the accommodation registration procedures in a timely manner in accordance with the law. Within 24 hours of check-in or moving in, declaration of your residence and filling in the “(Temporary) accommodation registration form” must be completed in person, whether by the student or through your landlord, at the local police station within your precinct.
If you live in Peking University Shaoyuan or Peking University Zhongguanyuan Global Village, the management department (service desk) will assist you in uploading or updating your accommodation registration information. If you need a copy of your temporary accommodation registration form, please go to the service desk with your passport to apply for one.
If you live off-campus, you can also apply for accommodation registration online. The application steps include:
- Beijing Municipal Government Portal Website International Version.
- Follow the WeChat official account “Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau Exit-Entry Administration” and enter the "Online Accommodation Registration" module directly from the information guidance.
- Enter the website address into your browser.
- Scan the QR code below directly.
Purchasing insurance for international students in China
International students who live in China must purchase the Comprehensive Medical Insurance & Protection Scheme for Foreigners.
Obtaining a “Verification Certificate of Physical Examination Record for Foreigners”
International students who are applying for a residence permit for the first time in two years must also submit a “Verification Certificate of Physical Examination Record of Foreigners” issued by the Beijing International Travel Health Care Center. Students should make an appointment and visit the Beijing International Travel Healthcare Center for a physical examination or to verify the results of an overseas physical examination. Generally, the certificate can be received within 4 working days. The medical examination report is valid within 6 months and may be used only for the relevant procedures of the study residence permit application.
Visa photo requirements
Please prepare at least one photo. Requirements: 2 by 2 inches, pure white background, a recent photo, printed on photo paper, with no stains, scratches, wrinkles, borders; ensure your facial features are clearly visible (both ears and eyebrows should be seen) with no hats or head coverings; no toothy smile; glasses are also not allowed, as well as ear studs or earrings, nose rings, headwear and necklaces; please do not wear light-colored tops or halter tops. Photos that do not meet these requirements may affect the visa application process.
Important notes
- International students must hold a study residence permit for study or X2 short-term study visa to study at the University. It takes 8 to 10 working days to complete the relevant procedures of the residence permit for studies, and 8 to 10 weekdays for the X2 visa related procedures. Under normal circumstances, an application must be submitted within 30 days before the expiration of the visa; please prepare ahead of time with all necessary materials, ensuring accuracy and validity of the temporary accommodation registration information, and complete relevant procedures on time.
- For international students returning to school, firstly, please note that your passport should be valid for at least 180 days. Secondly, please note that your passport should have enough blank pages. Thirdly, please note that if you have applied for X1 visa, please note that the validity of the visa is 30 days (i.e., you can legally stay in the country for only 30 days with the X1 visa after entering the country), and you must convert your X1 visa into a Residence Permit (Study Permit) within 30 days of entering. Penalties for overstaying without valid visa will be strictly enforced.
- International students who are holding non-study residence permits (including new international students) must go through the visa change procedures within 10 days upon registration at the University. In the case of visa expiration, you will receive penalty for overstay prior to going through the visa changing procedures.
- Should there be any change in your passport, visa or personal information (including personal mobile phone number, email address, official name, etc.), your temporary accommodation registration must be renewed/updated within 24 hours. A surname change document due to marriage must be issued by your country’s embassy in China.
- Regarding passport renewal: if an international student obtains a new passport in China, he/she must apply for a residence permit change within 10 days of receiving the new passport. If an international student obtains a new passport abroad, the international student must enter the country with both the new and old passports, ensuring that the entry stamp is stamped on the new passport, and change the residence permit as soon as possible after arriving on campus.
- If there has been a change in students’ status, such as retention, suspension, transfer, withdrawal, etc., the international student must cancel their residence permit for study and change it to an appropriate one.
