As an international student in China, it is essential to understand and comply with national and local laws, as well as the regulations set by your university. The responsibility for managing student behavior is shared among local immigration management bureaus, police departments, and your educational institution.

Code of Conduct

Before your studies officially begin, you will receive guidance on the code of conduct and regulations specifically for international students. The immigration management bureau and local police will also provide lectures on public safety.

To learn about relevant laws, please refer to the "Chinese Laws and Regulations" section at this link.

Off-Campus Internship Guidance

If you hold an X visa and wish to participate in off-campus internships or part-time jobs, you must first obtain consent from the university. After that, you need to submit necessary approvals from the school and employers to the immigration management bureau to update your residence permit.

Please remember that participating in work-study programs or internships without proper authorization is prohibited. In addition, the duration of the internship cannot exceed the validity period of your residence permit.

When looking for internship opportunities, take advantage of professional platforms such as the university's student service center or official information platforms.

We wish you a pleasant, fulfilling, progressive, and unforgettable time in Chongqing!

1. Entry at Chinese Border Inspection

China’s border inspection includes channels for Chinese citizens and foreign nationals. International students should proceed through the foreign nationals channel. Before entry, complete the "Foreigners’ Entry Application Form" (usually provided by the airline on board or available at the airport counter) and submit it at customs. Inspectors may ask about your travel purpose, contact person in China, address, and other information; prepare responses and have supporting documents on hand. After entry, do not linger at border inspection; collect your luggage early and cooperate with security checks on your bags.

For details on China's border inspection ports, please refer to: link.

2. Arriving at School

After entering the country, you can generally choose from various transportation options like taxis, subways, and buses, and you may need to take intercity trains or connecting flights to reach your destination city; consult your school for specifics. If you need to use public transportation, please refer to "Transportation."

3. Accommodation

International students typically live in on-campus student apartments or rent off-campus. Please note that students who do not check in within the stipulated time may need to arrange accommodation on their own; please confirm the specifics with your school. For self-arranged accommodation, please refer to "Accommodation."

4. New Student Registration

After arriving in China, new students should promptly go to their admitting school to complete registration and other enrollment procedures. Specific times, locations, and required materials can be found in each school’s admission notice. Generally, registration requires the following documents:

  • Valid passport and visa (X1 or X2) original and copies
  • Admission notice original and copies
  • "Foreign Students' Application for Visa to China" (JW201 or JW202 form) original
  • Passport-sized photos
  • Relevant fees for registration, tuition, medical insurance, and accommodation due at registration
  • "Foreign Health Examination Record" and blood test report original (required for students studying in China for more than 6 months)

*Specific materials should be prepared and submitted according to the admitting school’s requirements.

5. Opening a Bank Account and Mobile Payments

After arriving in China, your university will generally provide guidance on how to open a bank account. To apply for a bank account in China, you must take your passport and valid ID to the bank counter and fill out an account application. After obtaining the bank card, if you wish to use mobile payments, you can download Alipay or WeChat apps from Huawei’s app market, App Store, or Android app market. After downloading and opening the app, register and log in, then add your bank card in the personal payment or bank card section and submit to bind it. Once this process is completed, you can shop using QR codes for mobile payments.

6. Health Check

According to relevant Chinese government regulations, students holding an X1 visa must undergo a health check. Students can have their health checked in their home country before arriving in China and submit the Chinese or English "Foreign Health Examination Record" original at registration, then go to the local entry-exit inspection and quarantine bureau's health care center for a re-examination. If the health certificate submitted does not meet standards or requirements or if it was not done before coming to China, a new health check must be done at the local inspection and quarantine bureau's health care center. The health care center will issue a "Verification of Foreign Health Examination Record," which is necessary for applying for residence permits in China. You may need to bring the following materials for the health check:

  • Your passport
  • Your health examination materials from your home country before coming to China
  • Two-inch bareheaded ID photo (can also be taken on-site)
  • Copy of admission notice or proof issued by the school

Usually, schools will arrange health exams collectively; if you miss the group health check time, you will need to go to the local entry-exit inspection and quarantine bureau to complete the process. The residence permit for X1 visa holders must be completed within 30 days from the date of entry. Therefore, it is important to complete the health check as soon as possible after entering. Students entering with an X2 visa do not need a health check.

7. Medical Insurance

According to national regulations, international students studying in China for more than six months must purchase medical insurance. The school will provide consultation and services for purchasing insurance. For related insurance information, please refer to: link.

8. Applying for Residence Permit

The residence permit for foreigners in the People’s Republic of China is issued to foreign nationals residing in China for more than one year. International students with an X1 visa must convert to a residence permit within 30 days of entry. This application should be made at the local public security bureau's entry-exit administration. For details, please refer to the "Regulations on Entry and Exit Administration of Foreigners in the People's Republic of China" and relevant regulations from the local entry-exit management bureau. When applying for the residence permit, you must submit the qualified "Verification of Foreign Health Examination Record" issued by local health quarantine authorities. Therefore, please complete the health check as soon as possible after entering and bring supporting materials to the local entry-exit management bureau. As a residence permit requires the original passport to be submitted during the application process, other services that require the passport, such as bank card opening and phone/network activation, may be affected; please arrange any related matters in advance.

*If students cannot arrive at the school within the registration period set by the university, they should contact the relevant administrative staff members at the school in advance to inquire about self-registration procedures.

*Some information is derived from source link.