Ⅰ.  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 requested materials to the Chinese embassy or consulate as required, including a valid personal passport (valid for at least 6 months), admission notice (issued by the International Students Division, Peking University) or a certificate of enrollment (issued by the Graduate School or the PKU Undergraduate Education), and the visa application form for foreigners who are going to study in China (JW201/JW202 form). You will receive back the materials mentioned above when you get your visa and passport returned, as you will need these documents in order to go through follow-up procedures after your arrival to China.X1 Visa: The validity period of the X1 visa (the period of stay in China from the date of entry) is 30 days. International students are required to change their X1 visa to a residence permit for studies within 30 days after arrival.

1.  X1 Visa: The validity period of the X1 visa (the period of stay in China from the date of entry) is 30 days. International students are required to convert their X1 visa to a study residence permit within 30 days after entering the country.

2.  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 number of permitted entries must not exceed 365 days. With a X2 visa, you will not be able to go through the procedures for adding visa internship.

3.  Study Residence Permit: International students must change their X1 visa to a residence permit for studies within 30 days after arrival to China. Due to the pandemic situation, international students are allowed to convert other types of visa to a residence permit for studies after arriving at the school (except working visa). International students are allowed to enter and exit the country multiple times within the validity period of the residence permit (During the Covid-19 pandemic, international students are not allowed to enter and exit the country multiple times, visa will be cancelled as soon as the holders leaves the country).

Ⅱ.  Visa Procedures

1.  Materials and application process

1）First, please prepare your materials according to the following table.

2）You may submit documents for the residence permit for studies on your own by going to the Exit & Entry Administration Service Center of Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau(PSB), or choose the agency which provide this service(service is provided by the TradersLink Company). Please refer to the procedures listed below:

a. Applying for a visa on your own at the Exit & Entry Administration Service Center of Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau (PSB)

b. Application procedures through the agency (service provided by the TradersLink Company)

Tips:

i. See the attachment：附件1 for the online tuition payment process.

ii. The service fee of an agency for submitting visa application is 150 RMB; the visa fee depends on your country and type of visa you are applying for. All the fees will be collected by the agency.

iii. Where to submit: Peking University, New Sun Student Center, Room 329.

2.  Regarding the (temporary) accommodation registration form

Foreigners holding valid residence permit in China must go through the accommodation registration procedures in a timely manner in accordance with the law. Within 24 hours After check-in or moving in , the landlord or the organization to which the house belongs or you yourself should go to the local police station with your passport and the landlord’s household register (as relevant) to declare your residence, and fill in the “(temporary) accommodation registration form.”

If you live in Peking University Shaoyuan or Peking University Zhongguanyuan Global Village, the management department (service desk) will assist you to upload or update 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 must go to the police station where you will be living and bring the relevant documents to apply for a temporary residence registration form together with the landlord.

3.  About the purchase of insurance for international students in China 

International students who live in China must purchase student insurance in China.   See the attachment：附件2 for the online insurance purchase process.

4.  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 Healthcare Center. Students should make an appointment and go to the Beijing International Travel Healthcare Center for physical examination or for verifying the results of overseas physical examination. See the attachment：附件3 for the physical examination and verification process. Generally, the certificate can be received within 4 working days. The medical examination report is valid within 6 months and is used only for the relevant procedures of the residence permit for studies.

5. Visa photo requirements

Please prepare one photo. Requirements: 2 by 2 inches, pure white background, a recent photo, printed on photo paper, with no stains, scratches, wrinkles, borders; no hats or head covering and your face should be seen clearly (both ears and eyebrows should be seen); 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.

Ⅲ. Important notes

1.  International students must hold a residence permit for study or X2 short-term study visa to study at the school. It takes 8 to 15 weekdays to go through the relevant procedures of the residence permit for studies, and 8 to 13 weekdays to process the X2 visa related procedures. Under normal circumstances, an application must be submitted within 30 days before the expiration of the visa, with time reserved, all necessary materials prepared, validity of the temporary accommodation registration in-formation confirmed, and relevant procedures completed on time.

2.  International students who are holding non-study residence permits (including new international students) must go through the visa change procedures within 10 days after the registration at the school. In case if visa is expired you will receive penalty for overstay first and then can go through the visa changing procedures.

3.  If there is any change in your passport, visa or personal information (including personal mobile phone number, email address, surname, 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.

4.  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 the new passport and the old passport, confirm that the entry stamp is stamped on the new passport, and change the residence permit as soon as possible after arriving at the school.

5.  If there has been a change in students’ status, such as retention of student status, suspension, transfer, withdrawal, etc., international student must cancel his residence permit for study and change it to an appropriate one.