Residence permit for study (China)
Unofficial entry · Sources checked
The residence permit for study (Chinese: 学习类居留证件) is one of the five types of residence permit China issues to foreigners. It is issued to persons who pursue long-term studies in China (Regulations on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners, Article 15).
Key facts
| Point | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Deadline | Apply within 30 days from the date of entry | Law, Article 30 |
| Office | Exit-entry administration of the public security organ, at or above county level, in the place of residence | Law, Article 30 |
| How | In person, with passport, photo, supporting material and fingerprints | Regulations, Article 16 |
| Study document | A letter from the admitting institution stating the duration of study | Regulations, Article 16(2) |
| Decision | Within the validity of the acceptance receipt, which is no more than 15 days | Regulations, Article 18 |
| Validity | 180 days at the minimum, five years at the maximum, for non-work permits | Law, Article 30 |
Changes and extension
- Extension. Apply within the 30 days before the permit expires (Law, Article 32).
- Changed details. Apply to alter the permit within 10 days of a change in a registered item, such as the passport number (Law, Article 33).
- Off-campus work-study or internship. The place and period must first be endorsed on the permit, with the school's approval (Regulations, Article 22).
Questions
Who needs this permit?
A student whose visa says a residence permit must be obtained after entry. That is the case for the X1 visa, which covers study of more than 180 days.
Is the permit the same thing as the visa?
No. The X1 visa is used to enter China. The residence permit, issued in China by the public security authorities, is what covers the stay afterwards.
See also
X1 visa, accommodation registration, work-study endorsement, Foreigner Physical Examination Form.
Sources (read on 11 October 2026)
- National Immigration Administration, Exit and Entry Administration Law of the PRC, Articles 30, 32 and 33: https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147458/c155978/content.html
- National Immigration Administration, Regulations of the PRC on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners, Articles 15, 16, 18 and 22: https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147458/c155970/content.html
Unofficial entry. It defines terms and is not immigration advice.