Getting Your Residence Permit (X1 Only)
The most critical administrative task of your entire study abroad experience.
If you entered China on an X1 Visa, you have exactly 30 days from the moment you landed to convert that visa into a "Residence Permit for Study."
⚠️ THE 30-DAY COUNTDOWN
Your X1 visa is a "landing permit" only. It expires automatically 30 days after your entry stamp date.
- If you do not apply for your Residence Permit before Day 30, you are staying illegally.
- Consequences: You will be fined (500 RMB per day), interrogated, and potentially deported/blacklisted.
- Action: Start this process on Day 2 after you arrive. Do not wait.
Step 1: Health Verification
Location: Local International Travel Health Care Center
Before the police will look at your application, they need proof you are healthy. You must go to the specific government health center (not just any hospital).
- Find the Center: Search for "International Travel Health Care Center" (国际旅行卫生保健中心) in your city.
- Bring:
- Passport + Copies.
- 4-5 physical ID photos.
- Your home country physical exam records (if you did them).
- Cash/WeChat Pay (~400–600 RMB).
- The Process:
- If you have home records: They will verify them. If acceptable, they issue the certificate.
- If you don't: You will do the full exam there (blood test, X-ray, ECG, ultrasound).
- Timeline: Results usually take 3–5 business days. You will receive a "Health Certificate" booklet.
Step 2: University Registration (ISO)
Location: Your University's International Students Office
You cannot go to the police alone. You need your school's sponsorship.
- Pay Tuition: Most schools require full tuition payment before helping with visas.
- Submit Documents: Give them your new Health Certificate, Passport, and photos.
- Receive the Packet: The school will prepare an official "Visa Application Letter" (sometimes called an Introduction Letter) addressed to the police.
- Note: Ensure they also return your Original JW Form.
Step 3: The PSB Visit (Exit-Entry Bureau)
Location: Public Security Bureau (PSB) - Exit-Entry Administration
This is the final step. You must go physically to the immigration office.
Documents to Bring:
The Cost:
- ~400 RMB for a residence permit valid for < 1 year.
- ~800 RMB for a residence permit valid for 1–3 years.
The "Yellow Receipt"
Surviving without your passport.
When you submit your application, the police will take your passport. They will keep it for 7–15 days for processing.
In exchange, they will give you a Receipt of Acceptance (often a yellow or white slip) with your photo on it.
What you CAN do with this receipt:
- Stay legally in China.
- Check into hotels within China.
- Take trains and domestic flights (show the receipt at the manual check-in counter; automated gates won't work).
What you CANNOT do:
- Leave China. You cannot fly internationally.
- Open a Bank Account. Most banks require the original passport.
💡 PRO TIP
Take a high-quality photo or color scan of your passport information page and your X1 visa before you hand it over to the police. You might need these details for online registrations while your physical passport is gone.
Readiness Checklist
The final countdown:
