ChinaResidence permit

Study residence permit in China in China

The study residence permit is the document international students obtain after entering China on a long-stay study visa, so as to live lawfully in the country throughout their period of study at a Chinese school, college or university. The permit is issued by the exit and entry department of the police at the student's intended place of residence.

Source: National Immigration Administration of China (en.nia.gov.cn), entry, exit and stay (residence) of foreigners

Who can obtain it

The permit is obtained after entering China, not instead of a visa.

Ground for obtaining it

Entry into China on an X1 study visa, issued to those planning to study for more than 180 days
Admission to a Chinese school, college or university, confirmed by the institution's letter stating the period of study and a certificate of admission (enrolment)

Who files the application

Usually the applicant in person, at the exit and entry department of the police at municipal or district level at the intended place of residence
For applicants under 16, over 60 and people with a disability the documents may be filed by the inviting organisation, by relatives or by a specialised service organisation

What it costs

Fee for a residence permit valid for up to 1 year	400 CNY
Fee for a residence permit valid for 1 to 3 years	800 CNY
Fee for a residence permit valid for 3 to 5 years	1 000 CNY
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table.	2 200 CNY

Documents to gather

What is submitted to the exit and entry department of the police at the intended place of residence

Valid passport or other international travel document
Completed Visa / Stay Permit / Residence Permit Application Form and a photograph meeting the requirements for photographs on exit and entry documents
Letter from the educational institution stating the period of study and a certificate (letter) of enrolment
Health certificate from the quarantine service or a medical institution at county level or above — for a residence permit valid for more than 1 year
Letter of permission from the educational institution and the receiving organisation's documents — if the student plans to take part-time work or an internship off campus

How the process runs

How the study residence permit is obtained after entering China

1
Entry on a study visa
The foreign national enters China on an X1 study visa, issued to those planning to study in China for more than 180 days.
2
Filing the residence permit application
no later than 30 days after entry
The applicant files the documents in person at the exit and entry department of the police at municipal or district level at the intended place of residence: passport, application form with photograph, the educational institution's letter stating the period of study and the certificate of enrolment.
3
Examination of the application
up to 15 working days
The exit and entry department examines the application and takes a decision within 15 working days of the date the documents were accepted.
4
Issue of the study residence permit
The applicant is issued a study residence permit — its validity matches the period of study stated by the educational institution.

Timelines and rights

Work

Part-time work and off-campus internships are possible only with the permission of the educational institution. A letter from the institution and the receiving organisation's documents are attached to the application, and the endorsement is entered in the residence permit. Work beyond those limits counts as illegal employment.

Who you can bring with you

The study residence permit does not extend to the student's relatives — they enter on a separate category S visa.

Spouse, parents, children under 18 or parents-in-law of the student

For a visit of more than 180 days an S1 visa is required: an invitation from the student, copies of their passport and residence permit, the original document proving the relationship.

A wider circle of relatives — spouses, parents, children, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandchildren, parents-in-law

For a visit of no more than 180 days — an S2 visa, with the permitted period of stay stated in the visa itself.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

The application is filed within 30 days of entry and the decision is taken within 15 working days. The validity of the residence permit matches the period of study stated by the institution. Accommodation is registered with the police within 24 hours of check-in.

An extension is applied for no later than 30 days before the residence permit expires, under the general extension rules that apply to all residence permits. If the details in the document change, you must apply to the exit and entry department of the police within 10 days of the change to have it reissued.

How it differs from the routes next to it

The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.

	Study residence permit in China	Z work visa	R visa for foreign talents
Visa term	The validity matches the stated period of study	Z visa 30 days; conversion into a residence permit (~1 year) within 30 days, renewable	Often a multiple-entry visa for up to 5 years, renewable
Grounds	Study at an educational institution in China	Employment	High-level qualifications
Work	Part-time work and off-campus internships are possible only with the permission of the educational institution	Work only for the sponsor in the approved position	Work for the designated employer / host
Residence	The application is filed within 30 days of entry and the decision is taken within 15 working days	Police registration within 24 hours	A residence permit is obtained after entry

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

Study does not lead to permanent residence. Permanent residence is granted for direct and stable investment with a clean tax record for 3 consecutive years, for 4 years of work in a position from deputy general manager upwards or with a title from associate professor upwards together with 3 years of residence in China, or for an outstanding contribution.

Route to citizenship

China does not recognise dual citizenship. Citizenship is granted to close relatives of Chinese citizens, to those who have settled in China and on other lawful grounds. If approved, you lose your foreign citizenship.

Frequently asked questions about Study residence permit in China

Who can obtain a study residence permit in China?

Foreign nationals who entered China on an X1 study visa, issued to those planning to study for more than 180 days. The grounds for issue are the educational institution's letter stating the period of study and a certificate of enrolment.

How much does the study residence permit cost?

The fee depends on the validity: CNY 400 for a document valid for up to 1 year, CNY 800 for 1 to 3 years and CNY 1,000 for 3 to 5 years.

How long does the process take?

The application is filed within 30 days of entering China, and the exit and entry department takes a decision within 15 working days of the date the documents were accepted.

May a student work while studying?

Can the family come with the student?

The study residence permit does not extend to relatives. The student's spouse, parents, children under 18 or parents-in-law obtain an S1 visa for a visit of more than 180 days; for shorter visits and a wider circle of relatives — an S2 visa.

How does the study residence permit differ from the work residence permit?

Employment requires a separate work permit and is handled through the work-type residence permit for foreigners. The study residence permit is issued on the basis of admission to an educational institution rather than employment.

Other ways to move to China

Every route in one list — migration programmes: China.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.