Visa and Residence Permit (study type)
1. Chinese VISA(Study type)
There are two kinds of study type Chinese VISA
Whether you are eligible to apply for the study type Chinese VISA, please refer to the Document No. 12 (2020) of Ministry of Education of the PRC.
The Document No. 12 (2020) of Ministry of Education of the PRC
X1 visa is usually issued for those whose study period is less than 1 month or more than 6 months. X1 is valid for 30 days in China. If your study period is more than 6 months, you should apply for the residence permit within 30 days after your arrival.
X2 visa is usually issued for those whose study period is from 1 month to 6 months.
VISA (specimen)
Students must enter China and register at the university with the X1 or X2 VISA. Other types of VISA, such as tourist VISA (L Visa), cannot be transferred to study type VISA or Residence Permit in Shanghai.
Students enter China with landing VISA (“VISA-free”), cannot be transferred to study type VISA or Residence Permit in Shanghai. Students should leave the country before the expiry date and apply for the study type VISA to enter the country.
Students holding “Service Passport”“Passport for Public Affairs” enter China, please follow the regulations of the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of Shanghai to register and change your passport to “private passport” as soon as possible and then to apply for the study type residence permit.
2. Applying for Visa to Enter China
Students should take the Admission Notice and JW202 Form to apply for the X1 VISA (for students who study for more than 180 days) or take the Admission Notice and DQ Form to apply for the X2 VISA (for students who study for less than 180 days) at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in the students' home country.
3. Study type Residence Permit (RP)
Residence Permit (specimen)
Residence permit is a multiple- entry visa for those whose study period is longer than 6 months. Students can enter China for multiple times before the expiration date.
(1) Students enter China by holding X1 VISA should apply for RP within 30 days from the day they enter into China. Before applying, students need to provide the Health Certificate issued by the Shanghai International Travel Healthcare Center.
(2) Students enter China by holding the X2 VISA, and the valid period is longer than the study period, do not need to apply for RP. If an additional entry-exit permission is required, it can be requested at the ICCS office one month in advance.
(3) Students enter China by holding the X2 VISA, and the valid period is shorter than the study period, they need to do the medical examination at the Shanghai International Travel Healthcare Center and to apply for the RP.
4. Documents for Applying for the Residence Permit
(1) Original of valid passport
(2) Personal photo for official use
(3) Registration Form of Temporary Residence
(4) Health Certificate
(5) JW202 Form
(6) Admission Notice
(7) Foreigner Visa and Residence Permit Application Form
(8) Application Form for International Students (issued by ISC)
(9) Leaving School Certificate (issued by the former institution)
Resignation Certificate (issued by the former employer)
i. Only for students who are holding a valid Residence Permit (study type or work type)
ii. Only the certificate issued within 10 days will be accepted by exit-entry bureau, students should submit the application as soon as possible to apply for the study type Residence Permit
5. Period of validity of Residence Permit
The period of validity of RP depends on the tuition the student has paid i.e. one semester for one semester's payment and one year for one year's payment.
The maximum duration of each application is one year, in accordance with the relevant regulations.
The validity of RP should not go beyond the length of study or validity of passport.
6. Fees for VISA or Residence Permit
(1) Application fee of CNY400 for Residence Permit within 1 year
(2) The exact application feet is subject to official regulations and is usually CNY 168 for X2 VISA with extra entry permit
Fee may pay while submitting the application or pay when retrieving the passport
7. Venue for submitting the VISA or Residence Permit application
The Exit-Entry AdministrationBureau handles RP and visa application.
(1) Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration Bureau (Head office)
Address: No.1500, Mingsheng Road, Pudong New Area
Working Hour: Monday to Saturday 9:00—17:00
(2) Xuhui Service Branch of Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration Bureau
Address: No. 999 Naning Road, Xuhui District
Working Hour: Monday to Saturday 8:30—17:00
Service hotline: 12367
8. Medical examination (Health certificate)
Students enter China by holding X1 VISA should apply for RP within 30 days from the day they enter into China. Before applying, the applicant needs to provide the Health Certificate issued by the Shanghai International Travel Healthcare Center.
Students could take the full sets of medical examination report(Health Certificate) to be verified if the medical examination is conducted overseas within6 months.
Note,
4 working days is needed for issuing the Health Certificate. After receiving the Health Certificate, students could submit the Residence Permit application.
Health Certificate is valid for 6 months.
Students do not need to retake the medical examination, if they extend the Residence Permit.
Students need to retake the medical examination, if the last resident permit has expired for 3 months.
9. Reservation for medical examination
Online reservation (medical appointment): search for the WeChat public account “Shanghai International Travel Healthcare Center上海国际旅行卫生保健中心” and click the “online booking在线预约” button in the menu or use WeChat to scan the R code below
Online reservation for medical examination
Materials to bring along for health check or health report verification include:
(1) one copy of student identification/admission notice, or, Proof of Study issued by the university
(2) original and copy of passport
(3) three 2-inch passport sized photo
(4) full sets of medical examination report(Health Certificate) to be verified if the medical examination is conducted overseas within6 months
(5) The health check fee of CNY600, the verification fee of CNY80-500
10. Venue for medical examination
(1) Shanghai Customs International Travel Health Care Center
Address: No.15, Jinbang Rd, Changning District
(2) Shanghai Customs International Travel Health Care Center (Pudong Branch)
Address:No.2090, Jinqiao Rd., Pudong
Working hour: Monday through Friday, 8:00-11:30 & 13:00-15:00
Consulting call: 86-21-62688851
11. Registration of RP items change
When item(s) like name, reasons for temporary residence, passport number has/have been changed; or the residence address, school of the holder of the residence permit has/have been changed, the student should apply for modification to the Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration Bureau within 10 days since the change(s) took place.
12. Registration of temporary residence
Registration of temporary residence should be done within first 24 hours after entry. Students who live on campus could apply for Registration Form of Temporary Residence at reception of the Xuesiyuan International Student Apartment. Students who live off-campus should get the registration form issued by the hotel or the police station or fill the online application to register.
Online registration of temporary residence
13. Making up Passport and RP
In case passport gets lost, the student should firstly go to the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of Shanghai Public Security Bureau to report the loss with proof of identity, such as copy of passport, identity certificate with photo, drivers license, etc., as well as original and copy of Registration Form of Temporary Residence, to obtain the loss-reporting certificate; Secondly, the student should report to ISC; Thirdly, he/she should go to the embassy or the consulate of his/her own country in China to apply for a new passport. Lastly, the student should obtain application letter from ISC once new passport is available and go to Exit-Entry Administration Bureau to apply for new RP or other VISA.
13. Cancellation of Residence Permit
Upon completion of study, students should leave China within the validity period of their VISA or Residence Permit. International students who have withdrawn, suspended or been expelled from the school should go to the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau for cancellation after obtaining relevant certificates from the school. If the student does not go to the cancellation procedure by himself/herself, the school will report to the Bureau as illegal residence.
Note,
7 working days is needed for processing VISA or RP application at Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration Bureau.
It is strictly stipulated in China that if you remain in China with an expired visa, the fine range is from 500 RMB per day to 10,000 RMB. If the circumstances are serious, you may be detained or required to leave China.
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