Visa and Residence Permit are two of the most important documents that enable you to legally reside in China and pursue your studies. The Visa and Residence Permit application procedures can be complicated. So, please DO pay close attention to this part. If you have further inquiries or problems regarding the visa issues, do not hesitate to contact the staff at the International Students Division.
Application and Procedures
First of all, you need to install the "Study In PKU" APP and apply online.After your application is reviewed,you can choose either to go to the Beijing Public Security Bureau (PSB) to apply for the visa your own, or to use can use the agency service provided by the TradersLink Company. Please refer to the procedures listed below:
Apply for the visa by yourself:
Apply online through the APP reviewed by the ISD office(3 workdays)– register your information online in the PSB's application system at the ISD office –reviewed by the PSB online (2-3 workdays) – get the application form (with official stamp) at the International Students Division – go to PSB to submit your application(for first-time Residence Permit applications, interview is required) – pick up your passport with visa renewed at PSB (after 10 or 15 workdays).
Submit your application through the visa service agency:
Apply online through the APP-reviewed by the ISD office(3 workdays)-the agency helps you register your information online in the PSB's application system–confirm the information on the application form– sign your name -pay the visa and service fees –interview is required for first-time Residence Permit applications –pick up your passport with visa renewed at ISD office(after 8 or 13 workdays).
Service fee: 150RMB/Person
Visa fee: dependent on the visa types
Venue: Room 329, New Sun Student Center
Scan the QR code and install the APP
Visa and Permit Types
1. X1 Visa
Your X1 visa will automatically expire 30 days after entering mainland China. X1 visa holders have to apply for the Resident Permit at the International Students Division before the X1 visa expires. It cannot be changed to any other type of visa. X1 visa holders must also provide a health certificate from Beijing International Travel Healthcare Center.
2. X2 Visa
The X2 visa is a short-term study visa. The expiration date is listed on the visa page. It clearly states the period of time that a student can legally stay in China. For example, if you enter China on Aug 25, with an X2 visa that will expire in 90 days, you have to leave China before Nov. 23.
The number of entries is also listed on the visa page. For example, an X2 visa with two entries means you can enter China twice, and the expiration effects the second time you enter China.
3. Residence Permit
International students who will stay in China for more than 1 year are required to apply for a residence permit. The expiration date will be listed on the permit. During this time, students can exit and enter China without entry limits.
4. S visas
There are two types of S visa. Long-term dependant visa S1 and short-term dependant visa S2. For family members who are going to stay in China for more than 180 days, please apply for a S1 visa; for those who will remain in China for less than 180 days, please apply for a S2 visa.
Housing Registration
In accordance with Rules for the Implementation of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Control of the Entry and Exit of Aliens, foreigners who reside or stay in a place other than a hotel MUST report and register their address within 24 hours upon arrival. Your landlord or housing representative/agent should visit the local police station to fill in the registration form of temporary residence (临时住宿登记表) on your behalf, or you can visit the local police station in person with your own passport and your host’s household registration (户口) information.
If you are staying at the Shao Yuan or the Global Village dormitories, please bring your passport to the front desk, and they will help you with the registration.
If you live off- campus, you and your landlord (or housing agent) must bring all the required documents to the local police station to fill in the registration form of temporary residence.
NOTE: if you change your passport, visa or address, you MUST re-register with the local police station within 10 days, otherwise it will be considered an illegal residence.
Visa and Residence Permit Application
1.Visa Extension
If students with an X2 visa must extend their visa to study at PKU or add more entries to their visa, they will have to complete the visa extension process.
Required documents and procedures:
i．Bring your student ID, valid passport, valid admission letter, JW202 (JW201) form, registration form of temporary residence and a passport photo to the International Students Division to apply for a visa extension.
ii. For students who pay for their own tuition and insurance, please bring the receipts of these purchases.
iii. Attach a photo to your Application Form and get it stamped by the International Students Division, then bring the form, your passport and all of the aforementioned required documents to the Public Security Bureau to extend the visa.
NOTE: There is an expiration date on your new visa with more entries. This expiration date affects your current trip. There is another stay length listed in the remarks section of the visa, and this affects your next trip to China.
2.First Time Residence Permit Application
International students who enter China with an X1visa should apply for a residence permit within 30 days. If it is your first time applying for a residence permit, it must be for a period of more than 180 days.
Required documents:
i. Health Certificate from Beijing International Travel Healthcare Center (original)
ii. Admission letter and JW202(JW201) (original)
iii. A passport photo
iv. Registration form of temporary residence
v. For students who pay for their own tuition and medical insurance, please bring the receipts of these purchases.
NOTE: (1) International students with an X2, L, or F visa who will be studying in China for more than half a year must also apply for a residence permit. Please refer to the required documents above.
(2) Students under 18 in addition also need to submit photocopies of parents’ passports, birth certificate (in Chinese/English.Non-English versions should be translated into English and officially stamped by the Chinese embassies overseas or the translation service companies).
4. Extension of Residence Permit
If you will study at PKU longer than your current permit allows, you will have to apply for an extension of the residence permit (the extension must be longer than 30 days).
Required documents and procedures:
i. Bring your student ID, valid passport, registration form of temporary residence and a passport photo to the International Students Division, and apply for residence permit extension.
ii. For students who pay for their own tuition and medical insurance, please bring the receipts of these purchases.
iii. Attach a photo to your Application Form and get it stamped by the International Students Division, then bring the form and all of the aforementioned required documents to the Public Security Bureau to extend the residence permit.
NOTE: Students with non-study Residence Permit or Resicence Permit issued by other Chinese cities must apply for the new Residence Permit within 10 days upon registration.
Freshmen who already have a valid residence permit also need to submit the graduation certificate from previous school and the original PKU admission letter.
5. Dependant Visa Application
As an international student, you can apply for an S1 (long-term) or S2 (short-term) visa for your spouse who does not have Chinese citizenship or for your children under 18 years of age. There is no limit to the application times; however, the S visa must expire no later than the international students’ visa or residence permit.
Required documents and procedures:
i. Valid passport of the international student
ii. Valid passport of the family member
iii. Registration form of temporary residence for both the international student and the family member
iv. Proof of relationship
When applying for an S1 visa, the proof of relationship must be authorized by the Chinese embassy in your country.
Change of Passport
If you change your passport in China, you have to update your passport information with the International Students Division within 10 days, and then go to the Public Security Bureau to update your passport number.
Replacement of a Lost Passport
If you lose your passport in China, you have to follow the directions listed below:
i. You have to report the loss of the passport to the police station where you lost it, and the police will provide proof of the loss of the passport.
ii. Get a letter from the PKU International Students Division
iii. Bring proof documents from both the police station and the ISD to get a lost passport proof from county-level public security bureau.
iv. Use the aforementioned documents to apply for a new passport at your country’s embassy in Beijing.
v. After obtaining your new passport, you should go to the International Students Division to update your passport information within 10 days, and then go to the Public Security Bureau to apply for a new visa or residence permit. You also have to update your residence information at the local police station.
Cancellation of Your Visa and Residence Permit
If you defer, withdraw, suspend, transfer or leave school, you must cancel your visa and residence permit provided by PKU. You must change your current visa or residence permit to a 30-day temporary visa (0 entries); otherwise PKU will not approve your request for transfer or study suspension.
Change of Cell Phone Number
If you change your cell phone number during your study at PKU, you MUST report your new number to the International Students Division.
Penalty for Illegal Residence
If your visa, residence permit and dormitory registration expire and you do not update them timely, you will be regarded as an illegal resident. Depending on the severity of the situation, you might receive a warning or you might be fined from 500 RMB up to 10,000 RMB. You might even be arrested or even deported from China. Thus, please pay close attention to your visa/residence permit and your housing/dormitory registration status to avoid unnecessary troubles.
Leaving China after Completing Your Studies
International Students who have completed their studies are required to leave mainland China before the expiration date of their visa. If you have reasons to remain in China after the expiration date of your visa, you must first get the approval from the International Students Division and then apply for visa/residence permit extension.
Other IMPORTANT Notes
Please take note of the period of stay or residence indicated on your visa or permit, and exit China or complete due procedures such as extending visa or applying for a new permit before the expiration date.
If there is any change in the address of your accommodation, you should go through accommodation registration procedures again.
If there is change in any item(purpose of residence, period of residence, location of permit issuance, passport number, etc.) on your residence permit, you should apply for making such change with the police exit and entry office within 10 days of the occurrence of such change.
An application to extend the period of residence indicated on your visa should be submitted 7 days before the expiration date. An application to extend the period of residence indicated on your residence permit should be submitted 30 days before the expiration date.
Chinese Laws and Regulations
The legal rights of international students will be protected by the Chinese Law. At the same time, international students are required to obey all the Chinese Laws as well as the university’s rules and regulations. For instance: The People’s Republic of China’s Rules for the Entry and Exit of Foreigners, The Beijing Traffic Laws, Regulations for Institutions of Higher Learning, The PKU Handbook for Undergraduate Students, The PKU Handbook for Graduate Students, etc.
Beijing Public Security Bureau:
Address: No. 2, Dongdajie, Andingmen, Dongcheng District, Beijing
Office Hours: 9:00 am-17:00 (from Monday to Saturday)
Tel: 86-10-84020101
How to get there: Subway Line 2 to Lama Temple Station (雍和宫站), exit at the southeast gate and walk east 500 meters.
