Your exchange in China, step by step.
Prepare documents, arrival, a local number, registration, and any required health or residence steps.
Before arriving
Build your plan around the university’s official sequence.
- 1UNIVERSITY FIRST
Confirm dates and the official checklist
Ask which documents, originals, scans, and deadlines apply.
Another student’s route may not apply to you. - 2VISA PREPARATION
Apply for the specified study visa
Use the official service for your residence and prepare the requested materials. From 15 September 2026, a new State Council regulation expressly requires entry, stay, and residence application purposes to be truthful and lawful, and authorities may request supporting documents, materials, or electronic data when verifying an application.
Confirm the category before submitting and keep your application details consistent with your supporting records. - 3DOCUMENT CONTROL
Prepare the submission and keep receipts
Print confirmations, check photos, bring requested originals, and copy the application.
Store scans separately. - 4TRAVEL TIMING
Plan around registration and housing
Check campus and dormitory dates. Confirm early or late arrival.
After arriving
Later steps often depend on a local number and earlier records.
- 1PRACTICAL SETUP
Get a Chinese SIM card
Bring your passport and compare price, data, term, and cancellation.
Local numbers unlock many university and daily-life systems. - 2REGISTRATION
Complete campus and address registration
Follow university check-in and confirm your accommodation registration. Non-hotel registration is generally required within 24 hours; an official online pilot is available in Hebei, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Hubei, Guangxi, Chongqing, and Sichuan through NIA 12367 channels.
Keep paper or digital proof and confirm the local route with your university. - 3IF REQUIRED
Complete the designated health check
Use the facility and channel specified by your university.
Confirm appointments, photos, fasting, and required reports. - 4IMMIGRATION FOLLOW-UP
Complete required residence steps
Follow the university and immigration timetable for any conversion or extension.
Use the stated deadline. For general enquiries, call 12367.
During your exchange
Keep your status, address, insurance, travel plans, and university records aligned throughout the semester.
- 1STATUS AND ADDRESS
Track expiry dates and changes
Keep documents, registration, enrolment, and insurance current.
- 2TRAVEL
Check re-entry before leaving
Review entries and validity. Ask the university or 12367 if unclear.
- 3WORK OR INTERNSHIP
Get approval first
Confirm university approval and required document annotations.
- 4SUPPORT
Use support early
Save international office, clinic, counselling, and emergency contacts.
Before leaving
Plan clearance, housing, refunds, and accounts early.
- 1UNIVERSITY CLEARANCE
Confirm completion steps
Ask when records, certificates, and clearances will be ready.
- 2HOUSING
Document checkout
Photograph the room, meters, keys, and handover. Confirm refunds.
- 3ACCOUNTS
Choose what to close
Review accounts and keep a recovery method that works abroad.
- 4RECORDS
Store a departure folder
Keep secure copies of status, insurance, academic, contract, and payment records.
Carry the paperwork that unlocks the next step.
During the first weeks, keep originals secure and copies easy to reach.
- Passport and current visa or entry document
- Admission and enrolment documents
- JW202 or JW201, where applicable
- Temporary Residence Registration
- Medical certificate, if required
- Passport photos and digital scans
- Receipts and appointment confirmations
- University contact details
Use the university as your source of truth
Get the local number early
Keep every receipt and copy
Important: General orientation only, not immigration advice. Rules and documents change. Confirm requirements with your university, relevant Chinese visa service, and official immigration services such as 12367.