Management Measures for the Enrollment and Training of International Students in Schools
Article 1In order to standardize the recruitment, education, and administration of international students by schools, to facilitate international students’ study in Chinese institutions, to promote educational exchanges and cooperation with other countries, and to enhance the internationalization of China’s education, these Measures are formulated in accordance with laws and regulations such as the Education Law of the People’s Republic of China and the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Entry and Exit Administration.
Article 2For the purposes of these Measures, “schools” refer to institutions within the territory of the People’s Republic of China that provide preschool, primary, secondary, and higher education.
“International students” referred to in these Measures shall mean foreign nationals who do not hold Chinese nationality under the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China and who receive education at schools.
Chapters Two through Five of these Measures apply to institutions of higher education. Schools providing preschool, primary, or secondary education shall carry out the recruitment, teaching, and internal management of international students in accordance with the regulations of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government.
Article 3Schools recruiting and educating international students shall abide by Chinese laws, regulations, and national policies; safeguard national sovereignty, security, and public interests; and ensure standardized management and quality assurance.
International students shall comply with Chinese laws and regulations, respect Chinese customs and traditions, observe school rules and regulations, and fulfill their academic obligations.
Article 4The education administrative department under the State Council shall exercise overall coordination of international student affairs nationwide, formulate macro-level policies for the recruitment and education of international students, guide and coordinate the education administrative departments of provincial, autonomous regional, and municipal people’s governments, as well as schools, in carrying out international student work, and may entrust relevant organizations and industry bodies with the management and services for international students.
The diplomatic, public security, and other administrative departments under the State Council shall perform related management duties for international students in accordance with their respective responsibilities.
Article 5The education administrative departments of provincial, autonomous regional, and municipal people’s governments shall guide, coordinate, and supervise international student affairs within their respective jurisdictions, and shall be responsible for formulating relevant policies concerning international students at the preschool, primary, and secondary education stages.
The foreign affairs, public security, and other administrative departments of provincial, autonomous regional, and municipal people’s governments shall perform related management duties for international students in accordance with their respective responsibilities.
Article 6Schools recruiting international students shall establish sound systems for the recruitment, education, management, and service of international students, and shall assume specific responsibility for the admission and training of international students.
Article 7Institutions of higher education recruiting international students shall possess appropriate educational and teaching conditions and capacity, and shall independently recruit international students in accordance with relevant state provisions.
Article 8Institutions of higher education recruiting international students shall file a record in accordance with the matters and procedures prescribed by the education administrative department under the State Council.
Article 9Higher education institutions enroll international students pursuing degree programs in categories including diploma students, undergraduate students, master’s students, and doctoral students; and non-degree programs including preparatory students, advanced study students, and research scholars.
Article 10Based on their own conditions and capabilities, institutions of higher education shall independently determine their enrollment plans and fields of study for international students, unless otherwise specified by the state.
Article 11In accordance with national admission regulations, institutions of higher education shall formulate and publish their admission prospectuses for international students, and shall admit international students according to the conditions and procedures stipulated therein.
Article 12Institutions of higher education shall review the eligibility and financial guarantee documentation of foreign applicants, and subject them to examinations or assessments. Admission decisions rest with the institution; candidates not meeting admission requirements shall not be admitted.
Article 13With the consent of the original admitting institution, institutions of higher education may accept international students previously admitted or transferred from other schools.
Article 14Fees and standards applicable to international students at institutions of higher education shall be implemented in accordance with relevant state provisions.
Institutions of higher education shall publicly disclose fee items, fee standards, and refund policies for withdrawal or transfer. All fees and refunds shall be denominated in Renminbi.
Article 15Institutions of higher education shall incorporate international student curricula into their overall teaching plans, assign faculty suitable for teaching international students, and establish sound mechanisms to ensure educational quality.
Article 16International students shall attend courses and participate in examinations or assessments in accordance with the course schedules and teaching plans of institutions of higher education. Schools shall accurately record their academic performance and daily conduct.
Chinese language and an overview of China shall be compulsory courses for degree-seeking international students; political theory shall be compulsory for international students majoring in philosophy or political science.
Article 17After enrollment, upon student application and institutional approval, international students may change their majors. Specific conditions and procedures for transferring majors shall be determined by each institution.
Article 18Standard Chinese is the primary language used in educating international students at institutions of higher education. For international students whose proficiency in Standard Chinese does not meet learning requirements, institutions may provide necessary supplementary instruction.
Article 19Eligible institutions of higher education may offer specialized courses taught in foreign languages. International students receiving degree education in a foreign language may write their dissertations in the corresponding foreign language, provided that the abstract is written in Chinese; whether the dissertation defense is conducted in a foreign language shall be decided by the institution.
Article 20Institutions of higher education shall organize international students to participate in teaching internships and social practice activities in accordance with their teaching plans, selecting internship and practice sites in compliance with relevant state regulations.
Article 21In accordance with relevant state regulations, institutions of higher education shall issue diplomas or other academic certificates to international students. For international students pursuing degree education, institutions shall promptly complete electronic registration of their academic records and graduation certificates.
Institutions of higher education shall confer degrees upon international students who meet the criteria for degree conferral.
Article 22Institutions of higher education shall designate specific departments responsible for managing international students, coordinating admissions, teaching, daily operations, services, and post-graduation alumni relations.
Article 23Institutions of higher education shall make publicly available basic information about the school, its educational offerings, admission prospectuses, and systems for managing and serving international students, facilitating access to information for international students.
Article 24Institutions of higher education shall provide international students with essential living facilities such as food and accommodation, establish and publicize management regulations for these facilities. International students residing outside school dormitories shall promptly register with the local public security authorities.
Article 25Institutions of higher education shall educate international students on Chinese laws and regulations, school rules, national conditions, traditional Chinese culture, and local customs, helping them quickly adapt to their study and living environments.
Institutions of higher education shall appoint counselors for international students to understand their academic and daily needs, and provide timely support in areas such as information, consultation, and cultural activities. The ratio of international student counselors shall be no lower than that of Chinese student counselors, and they shall enjoy equal treatment.
Article 26Institutions of higher education encourage international students to participate in physical and cultural activities beneficial to their health, and shall facilitate their involvement. International students may voluntarily join public welfare activities and celebrations of major Chinese festivals.
Generally, institutions of higher education do not organize international students to participate in military training or politically oriented activities.
Article 27With the approval of the institution, international students may hold celebrations of important traditional festivals from their home countries in designated areas and within specified limits, provided that such events do not contain content opposing or attacking other nations or ethnic groups, nor any behavior violating public morals.
Article 28With the approval of the institution, international students may establish friendship groups within the school premises, operate within the scope permitted by Chinese laws and regulations, and accept guidance and supervision from the institution.
Article 29Institutions of higher education shall respect the ethnic customs and religious beliefs of international students, but shall not provide venues for religious activities. No missionary work or religious gatherings of any kind shall be permitted on campus.
Article 30During their studies at institutions of higher education, international students may engage in part-time work to supplement their expenses, but shall not take up employment, engage in commerce, or undertake other profit-making activities.
Detailed regulations governing international students’ part-time work shall be separately formulated by the education administrative department under the State Council in conjunction with relevant departments.
Article 31Institutions of higher education shall manage the academic records of international students in accordance with the regulations governing Chinese students. Decisions made by institutions to expel or dismiss international students shall be filed with the education administrative department under the State Council as required.
Article 32The Chinese government has established the Chinese Government Scholarship for international students pursuing higher education, and encourages local governments to set up scholarships for international students.
The management measures for the Chinese Government Scholarship shall be formulated by relevant departments under the State Council.
Article 33The education administrative department under the State Council shall selectively commission institutions of higher education to train recipients of the Chinese Government Scholarship. Institutions entrusted with this task shall prioritize the admission of scholarship recipients.
Article 34Institutions of higher education may establish scholarships for international students. Enterprises, social organizations, and other entities and individuals are encouraged to set up scholarships for international students, but shall not impose unreasonable conditions.
Article 35Foreign nationals applying to study at schools as defined in Article 2 of these Measures shall, prior to entry, apply for an X1 or X2 visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or residence, or at other overseas institutions authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, submitting supporting documents such as proof of admission reviewed by the education authority and the school’s letter of acceptance, as required.
Article 36International students holding visas indicating the need to apply for residence permits after entry shall, within thirty days of arrival, apply to the immigration management department of the local public security bureau for a residence permit for foreign students.
Article 37For diplomatic representatives, consular staff, and personnel of international organizations stationed in China, as well as their accompanying family members, who apply to study at schools under special arrangements, the procedures shall follow the regulations issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Failure to comply with the prescribed formalities shall result in the school refusing admission.
Article 38When admitting international students under the age of eighteen whose parents do not reside permanently in China, schools shall require their parents to formally appoint a resident foreigner or Chinese national as the child’s legal guardian, and submit relevant supporting documentation.
Schools may accept short-term study groups of international students, but shall enter into advance agreements with the sending organization. For institutions providing primary or secondary education accepting short-term study groups, the sending organization shall, in accordance with its domestic laws, complete all necessary legal procedures for organizing minors’ cross-border travel, and shall dispatch personnel to accompany the group and serve as guardians during the students’ stay at school.
Article 39Upon enrollment, international students shall undergo a physical examination at Chinese quarantine facilities in accordance with the regulations of the Chinese health administration, or obtain a certificate confirming their physical condition. Those found to suffer from severe mental disorders, infectious pulmonary tuberculosis, or other contagious diseases posing significant risks to public health—conditions specified in the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Entry and Exit Administration—shall be handled by the public security authorities in accordance with the law.
Article 40A universal insurance system shall be implemented for all international students. Students must purchase insurance in accordance with state regulations and school requirements. Those failing to comply within the prescribed period shall be given a deadline; failure to insure by the deadline shall result in denial of admission, and those already enrolled shall be expelled or denied registration.
Article 41The education administrative department under the State Council shall establish a comprehensive quality oversight system for the cultivation of international students. Provincial, autonomous regional, and municipal education administrative departments shall oversee the education of international students within their respective jurisdictions.
Article 42Departments under the State Council responsible for managing international students—including education, public security, and diplomacy—shall utilize modern information technology to develop an information management system for international students, promote information-sharing mechanisms, and continuously improve management and service efforts.
Article 43For international students who violate laws such as the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Entry and Exit Administration, the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Administrative Penalties for Public Order, the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Entry and Exit of Foreigners, and the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Management of Religious Activities by Foreigners within China, competent authorities such as public security shall handle them in accordance with the law.
Article 44If institutions of higher education exhibit any of the following behaviors during the recruitment and education of international students, the responsible education administrative department shall order corrective action, pursue legal accountability in accordance with the Education Law of the People’s Republic of China, and may restrict their future recruitment of international students:
(1) Recruiting in violation of state regulations or school admission rules;
(2) Engaging in profiteering during the admission process;
(3) Failing to disclose fee items and standards, or charging inconsistently with stated rates;
(4) Illegally issuing degrees, diplomas, or other academic certificates;
(5) Poor teaching quality or inadequate management and services resulting in adverse social impacts;
(6) Other illegal or non-compliant acts.
Article 45Short-term study as referred to in these Measures denotes a period of study at a Chinese school not exceeding 180 days (inclusive); long-term study refers to periods exceeding 180 days.
Article 46Scientific research institutions approved within China to undertake graduate education may recruit international students in accordance with these Measures.
Educational institutions approved by the education administrative department to provide non-degree education may also recruit international students, following these Measures.
The recruitment, education, and management of students from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region, and Taiwan, as well as the admission, education, and management of children of foreign nationals residing in China, shall be governed by other relevant national regulations.
Article 47The education, foreign affairs, and public security departments of provincial, autonomous regional, and municipal people’s governments shall formulate local management regulations based on these Measures.
Article 48These Measures shall come into effect as of July 1, 2017. Simultaneously, the “Regulations on the Management of Foreign Students Admitted to Institutions of Higher Education,” issued by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Public Security on January 31, 2000, and the “Interim Measures for the Management of Foreign Students in Primary and Secondary Schools,” issued by the Ministry of Education on July 21, 1999, shall both be repealed.