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The legal boundaries of student residence permits for part-time jobs and internships

policy2026/06/05

Foreign students holding a study-type residence permit (the residence permit corresponding to a student visa) are primarily students in China.


According to China’s relevant regulations on entry and exit administration, foreign students are generally not allowed to engage in paid work in China without authorization.


However, with the school’s consent and after filing with the public security organ’s immigration management department, students may participate in off-campus internships or work-study activities within prescribed limits.


Engaging in work, part-time jobs, or business activities without approval may be deemed illegal employment.


I. Confirm the nature of the activity


Before accepting any job or internship opportunity, one should first confirm the nature of the activity.


Situations typically eligible for application and filing include:


  • Internships stipulated in the teaching plan;


  • Off-campus practice projects approved by the school;


  • Internship activities related to the field of study;


  • Work-study activities approved by the school.


The following situations are usually not permitted:


  • Seeking full-time employment independently;


  • Long-term part-time work;


  • Accepting online orders for remuneration;


  • Engaging in business operations or entrepreneurial activities.


II. Obtain school approval


Students intending to undertake off-campus internships should submit an application to their school’s international student management department.


The school will typically review:


  • Student status;


  • Academic performance and attendance;


  • Information about the internship unit;


  • Relevance of the internship content to the major;


  • Duration of the internship.


Upon approval, the school will issue a letter of consent or other relevant supporting documents.


III. Complete the filing procedures


After obtaining school approval, applicants must file with the local public security organ’s immigration management department as required.


Once approved, relevant internship information will be annotated in the remarks section of the residence permit or recorded through other prescribed methods.


Internship activities should not commence before completing the filing process.


IV. Conduct the internship according to the approved details


After receiving approval, activities must strictly adhere to the filed information, including:


  • The internship unit;


  • The workplace;


  • The duration of the internship;


  • The internship position.


If there are any changes to the internship content, relevant procedures must be reprocessed.


V. Required materials


When applying for internship filing, the following are typically needed:


  • A valid passport;


  • A study-type residence permit;


  • A letter of consent issued by the school;


  • An acceptance letter from the internship unit;


  • An internship agreement or training plan;


  • A certificate of enrollment;


  • Other materials required by the school;


  • Supplementary materials required by the immigration management department;


Specific requirements shall be subject to the provisions of the local school and immigration authorities.


VI. Points to note during the process


1. No work without approval


Foreign students holding a study-type residence permit are not permitted to engage in part-time, full-time work, or other activities that generate remuneration without authorization.


Even if the working hours are short or the income is low, it may still be considered illegal employment.


2. Internship is not equivalent to employment


Legal internships should be conducted for educational practice, professional development, or school-sponsored projects.


If the work content is unrelated to studies or primarily aims at earning remuneration, it may be classified as employment.


3. Do not exceed the approved scope


After obtaining approval, internships can only be carried out at the registered unit and in the designated position.


Unauthorized changes of unit, addition of work content, or extension of the internship period may constitute a violation.


4. Pay attention to the validity of the residence permit


During the internship period, ensure that both the passport and residence permit remain valid.


Before the residence permit expires, promptly apply for an extension.


5. Serious consequences for violations


Illegal employment may result in:


  • Warnings or fines;


  • Termination of internship activities;


  • Cancellation of the residence permit;


  • Compulsory departure within a specified period;


  • Adverse impact on future visa and residence applications.