X1 & X2 Visa GuideUnofficial
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After arrival

The 30-day residence permit deadline for X1 holders, accommodation registration within 24 hours, the health check and insurance your school will ask about.

10 rules · checked 11 October 2026

What the texts say

Each rule is stated once, with the article or page it comes from on the right.

  1. Residence permit: apply within 30 days of entry

    Where the visa says a residence permit is needed after entry, the holder applies within 30 days from the date of entry to the exit/entry administration of the public security organ, at or above county level, in the place of intended residence.

    SOURCE Exit and Entry Administration Law, Article 30Ministry of Education Order No. 42, Article 36

  2. The application is made in person with fingerprints

    The applicant submits a passport, qualifying photos and material relating to the purpose of the application, goes through the formalities in person and provides biometric information such as fingerprints.

    SOURCE Entry-Exit Regulations, Article 16

  3. The school letter states the study period

    For a residence permit for study the applicant submits a letter from the school stating the period of study together with proof of admission or enrolment. Paper copies can be waived where the information has already been registered in the national study-in-China management information system. The permit can be issued for a period matching the study period the school states.

    SOURCE NIA residence permit service guide, section 6(2), item 2 (study)Entry-Exit Regulations, Article 16(2)

  4. Permits longer than one year need a health certificate

    An applicant for a residence permit valid for more than one year submits a health certificate. A health certificate is valid for six months from the date of issue.

    SOURCE Entry-Exit Regulations, Article 16, final paragraph

  5. The acceptance receipt covers you while the passport is held

    An accepted application gets a receipt valid for no more than 15 days, and the decision is made within that period. While the passport is retained, the applicant may reside in China legally on the strength of the receipt. These periods are counted in working days.

    SOURCE Entry-Exit Regulations, Article 18 and Article 36, final paragraph

  6. A study permit runs from 180 days to five years

    A non-work residence permit, which includes the permit for study, is valid for at least 180 days and at most five years.

    SOURCE Exit and Entry Administration Law, Article 30

  7. Register where you live within 24 hours

    Hotels register foreign guests themselves. A foreigner who lives or stays anywhere other than a hotel, or the person hosting them, registers with the public security organ of the place of residence within 24 hours of arrival. The National Immigration Administration offers the registration online through its government service platform, the NIA 12367 app and mini programs.

    SOURCE Exit and Entry Administration Law, Article 39NIA accommodation registration notice, sections I and II

  8. Living off campus means registering with the local police

    An international student who lives outside the school dormitory must register promptly with the public security department of the place of residence.

    SOURCE Ministry of Education Order No. 42, Article 24

  9. Health check at enrolment

    At enrolment an international student has the Foreigner Physical Examination Record confirmed by the Chinese health and quarantine authority, or takes a physical examination.

    SOURCE Ministry of Education Order No. 42, Article 39

  10. Insurance is compulsory

    Schools run a full-coverage insurance system for international students. A student who does not buy insurance as required is given a time limit; after that the school does not admit the student, or withdraws or refuses to register a student already enrolled.

    SOURCE Ministry of Education Order No. 42, Article 40

Guides · After arrival

Guides in this file

Official sources

Read the originals

  1. National Immigration Administration — Exit and Entry Administration Law of the PRC (English)
  2. National Immigration Administration — Regulations on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners (English)
  3. National Immigration Administration — service guide for foreigners' residence permits (Chinese)
  4. National Immigration Administration — policy interpretation on online accommodation registration (21 September 2026)
  5. Ministry of Education — Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students (Order No. 42, Chinese)

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