Year of issue: 2020

Issued by: Beijing Municipal Education Commission, Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, Beijing Municipal Bureau of Public Security

Chapter I General Provisions

Article 1 In reference to laws and regulations such as the Education Law of the People's Republic of China, Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China, Regulations on Enrollment and Cultivation of International Students by Universities (No.42 Decree of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Public Security), and in view of the actual situation of Beijing, this Regulations is hereby formulated to serve Beijing's strategic positioning as "Four Centers", further regulate the enrollment, cultivation and management of international students by Beijing-based universities, promote international educational exchange and cooperation, and make education more internationalized in the city.

Article 2 The term "university" in this Regulations refers to schools undertaking higher education established within the administrative region of Beijing with the approval of the educational administration. The term "international student" in this Regulations refers to foreign student who, pursuant to the Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China, does not have a Chinese nationality but studies in the university.

Article 3 In enrolling and cultivating international students, universities shall abide by Chinese laws, regulations and policies, safeguard national sovereignty, security and public interests, and exercise law-based, standard and high-quality management.

Article 4 The Beijing Municipal Education Commission (hereinafter referred to as BJEC) shall guide, coordinate and manage the Beijing-based universities in work relating to international students.

The Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality (hereinafter referred to as BJFAO) and Beijing Municipal Bureau of Public Security (hereinafter referred to as BJBPS) shall be responsible for international students management within their respective scope of duty. The BJFAO is responsible for coordinating the foreign affairs concerning international students and reviewing the Chinese visa applications filed by them. The BJBPS is responsible for the management of international students' stay or residence in Beijing as well as the handling of law violations concerning them. BJBPS, in conjunction with BJFAO, shall review the entry and residence license applications filed by the students applying to study in Beijing.

Article 5 A university recruiting international students shall establish a complete and sound system of international students enrollment, cultivation, management and services, and bear primary responsibility for the enrollment, cultivation and management.

Chapter II Enrollment

Article 6 A university enrolling international students shall be equipped with the corresponding teaching conditions and capabilities, and shall enroll international students independently in accordance with relevant national regulations.

Article 7 A university recruiting international students shall be registered at BJEC.

Article 8 There are two categories of international students universities enrol. One receives academic education, including junior college students, college students, postgraduate students and doctoral candidates; the other receives non-academic education, including preparatory undergraduates, students pursuing further education and research scholars.

Article 9 A university, according to its teaching conditions and capabilities, shall determine its enrollment plans and majors for international students independently unless otherwise stipulated by the state.

Article 10 A university, pursuant to national regulations on student enrollment, shall develop and publish its own guidelines on enrollment for international students and recruit international students according to the conditions and procedures stated therein.

Article 11 A university shall recruit international students in strict accordance with the standards and procedures stipulated in the Regulations on Enrollment and Cultivation of International Students by Universities (No.42 Decree of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Public Security), this Regulations and its own regulations. It shall review the international students' academic attainments, educational background, ID qualifications, language skills, financial status and health conditions, among others, and hold exams or assessments on them, in order to make sure the recruited students meet its standards. The university shall decide the matriculation of international students. It shall not accept an international student originally admitted by or transferred from another university unless with that university's approval.

Article 12 The university shall abide by relevant national and municipal regulations regarding the charging items and standards for international students.

A university recruiting international students shall formulate and publicize the charging and refunding regulations, including charging items, conditions, standards and procedures, as well as the refunding for dropout or transfer. The charging and refunding is denominated in RMB.

Article 13 Such regulations shall prevail, should the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have specific regulations on university application by staffs at the diplomatic missions and consular agencies of foreign countries in China, representative offices of international organizations in China, as well as their accompanying family members. The university shall not accept an applicant, should relevant procedures have not been properly performed.

Article 14 Should an international student be under the age of 18 and his or her parents not live in Beijing for a sufficiently long period of time, the university shall require the parents to formally designate a foreign or Chinese resident in Beijing as the student's guardian, and provide related credentials.

A university may accept a group of international students for short-term study, provided an agreement is signed with the foreign dispatching unit in advance. Should there be students in the group under the age of 18, the foreign dispatching unit shall, pursuant to the home country's laws and regulations, handle in advance the legal procedures required for organizing minors to go abroad, and shall assign a person/persons to come along with the group as the international students' guardian/guardians during their study at the university.

Article 15 The educational administration of the State Council, on the principle of merit, shall entrust universities to cultivate students receiving the Chinese Government Scholarship. The university entrusted with such a mission shall give priority to Chinese Government Scholarship recipients in enrollment.

Article 16 The BJEC shall set up a municipal scholarship for international students. The scholarship regulation will be separately formulated.

Article 17 A university may set up a scholarship for international students. Companies, public institutions, social groups and individuals are encouraged to set up scholarship for international students, for which no unreasonable conditions shall be set.

Chapter III Teaching Management

Article 18 A university recruiting international students shall incorporate the teaching program for international students in its overall program, select suitable teachers, and establish a sound teaching quality assurance system.

Article 19 The language commonly used in the People's Republic of China is the primary language in which a university conducts its teaching and cultivation of international students. A university may provide necessary tutoring services for international students who fail to meet the study requirements on the commonly used language.

Article 20 A university with the right conditions may offer specialized courses for international students taught in a foreign language. An international student receiving higher academic education in a foreign language may write his or her dissertation in this language, with the abstract in Chinese; the university shall decide whether the oral defense on the dissertation may be conducted in the foreign language as well.

Article 21 A university shall truthfully record the international student's academic performance and other related performance. It shall strengthen the regulations of attendance. Should an international student have a serious record of absenteeism and be absent at school, the university shall, pursuant to its regulations, deal with the situation in a timely manner and report to relevant authority as required.

Article 22 A university shall independently develop the conditions and procedures for international students to shift major and make relevant information public.

Article 23 A university shall, in accordance with its teaching program, organize international students to participate in practice-based teaching and social practices, the location of which shall comply with relevant national regulations.

Article 24 A university, pursuant to relevant national regulations, shall issue the academic certificate or other certificates to international students. The university shall perform in a timely manner the electronic registration of student status and graduation certificate for international students receiving higher academic education.

The university shall issue the diploma to qualified international students.

Article 25 A university shall cultivate international students in strict accordance with the Quality Standards for Higher Education for Foreign Students in China (trial) (Jiao Wai [2018] No.50) issued by the Ministry of Education. It shall include the education of foreign students in its general educational quality assurance system, intensify equal management, and develop teaching management, exam and assessment systems applying unified standards for both Chinese and foreign students. The university shall provide equal teaching resources and management services to guarantee the cultural exchanges between Chinese and foreign students as well as their legal rights and interests.

Article 26 The Chinese language and China's profile shall be compulsory courses of higher academic education; so shall political theories for international students majoring in philosophy and politics.

Chapter IV Campus Rules

Article 27 A university enrolling international students shall have a leader in charge of international students work and a dedicated department responsible for the management of international students. Relevant departments of the university shall have clear-cut duties and be responsible for the enrollment, teaching, daily management and service of international students as well as communication with them after graduation.

Article 28 A university enrolling international students shall publish its basic information, teaching information, and systems of international students management and services to be made available to the international students.

Article 29 The university shall provide necessary living service facilities, including food and accommodation, for international students, and establish, improve and announce the rules on the use and management of such facilities. The university shall regulate campus accommodation of international students, establish a sound management system for their dormitories, and conduct patrol and inspection for their safety.

Should an international students apartment, with the approval of the public security department, launch the public security information system for the accommodation industry, it shall register an international student within 24 hour after he or she checks in, and report the registered information to the public security department. Should an international student live off campus, the university shall urge him or her to, within 24 hours after check-in, perform the accommodation registration at the local public security department.

Article 30 The university shall conduct orientation course for international students to help them get familiar with and adapt to the learning and living environment as soon as possible. The contents shall include Chinese laws and regulations, university disciplines and regulations, basic conditions of the country and the university, and fine traditional culture and customs of China. The university shall carry out legal and safety training course, provide international students with the basic legal knowledge about residence in China, and enhance their legal and safety awareness. The university shall, at the time of student registration, sign the Letter of Notification with international students, which includes the obligation to abide by Chinese laws and regulations as well as university disciplines and regulations.

Article 31 The university shall have instructors who shall learn about the students' study and living needs and provide the students with timely services concerning information, consulting and cultural and sports events. The number of instructors for international students shall be proportionally no less than instructors for Chinese students with equal treatments as the latter.

Article 32 The university shall have in place a well-established regulation framework covering the enrollment publicity campaigns, visa, student status, accommodation and safety management. It shall also develop the international student guidebook, provide viable emergency plans, and specify the person in charge and working procedures in case of an emergency, so as to ensure the timely and effective handling of an emergency and prevent and eliminate safety and stability hazards.

Article 33 The Chinese visa applications filed by foreign students to a university shall be used by the university only. The applications shall be kept in a dedicated cabinet under the custody of special personnel, and each document with typos shall be kept.

Article 34 The university shall make information reporting more institutionalized, standard and scientific, and send information to relevant municipal department in case of a major accident or emergency.

Article 35 The university shall encourage international students to take part in cultural and sports activities for mental and physical health, and provide conveniences for that purpose. It shall respect their ethnic customs and religious beliefs, but shall not provide the location for religious activities.

The university generally does not organize international students to participate in military training or political activities.

Article 36 The university shall manage the student status of international students in reference to similar regulations for Chinese students. Should the university decide to dismiss an international student or expel his or her student status, it shall report to the entry/exit division of Beijing municipal public security department in a timely manner to write off the student's residence permit for study. The university shall also file for registration of the dismissal or expulsion in accordance with the regulations issued by the educational administration of the State Council.

Chapter V Visa and Residence Permit Requirements

Article 37 A foreigner applying to study in a Beijing-based university shall, prior to his or her entry into China and in view of his or her term of study, apply to the Chinese embassy or consulate or other foreign missions entrusted by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in his or her home country or in the country of his or her residence for a study visa. Should this foreigner apply for long-term study, he or she shall, pursuant to relevant regulations, provide the letter of admission issued by the university, Chinese visa application for foreign students, Physical Examination Record for Foreigners and other materials to apply for the X1 visa. Should this foreigner apply for short-term study, he or she shall, pursuant to relevant regulations, provide the letter of admission issued by the university, Chinese visa application for foreign students and other materials to apply for the X2 visa.

Article 38 Should an international student's "X" visa state that a residence permit is required after the student enters China, he or she shall, within 30 days from the day of entry, apply to the entry/exit division of Beijing municipal public security department for the foreigner's residence permit for study, and shall provide the letter of admission issued by the university, correspondence of admission stating the term of study, and related materials as required.

Should an international student need to extend the term of stay stated on the visa, he or she shall, seven days before the term of stay expires, apply to the entry/exit division of Beijing municipal public security department for the extension and provide relevant materials as required.

Should an international student need to extend the term of the foreigner's residence permit for study, he or she shall, 30 days before the residence permit expires, apply to the entry/exit division of Beijing municipal public security department for the extension and provide relevant materials as required.

Article 39 Should a foreigner staying or residing in China with another type of visa or stay permit, or with a non-study residence permit, apply to a Beijing-based university for long-term study, and meet the conditions for visa grant, he or she shall, with the letter of admission issued by the university, Chinese visa application for foreign students and other materials, apply to the entry/exit division of Beijing municipal public security department for the foreigner's residence permit for study.

Chapter VI Oversight

Article 40 Should a university have the following situations in the enrollment and cultivation of international students, the BJEC may request it to make rectifications, hold it accountable pursuant to relevant provisions of the Education Law of the People's Republic of China, or restrict its enrollment of international students.

(1) The university has recruited international students in violation of national regulations and its own enrollment regulations;

(2) The university makes profits during the enrollment;

(3) The university has not publicized or complied with the charging items and standards;

(4) The university has issued diploma, academic certificate or other academic credentials against rules;

(5) The university has caused adverse social effects or grave consequences due to poor teaching quality, management or service;

(6) The university has transferred or used the Chinese visa applications filed by foreign students against rules;

(7) The university has committed other violations of laws or regulations.

Chapter VII Rights and Obligations of International Students

Article 41 An international student shall abide by Chinese laws and regulations, respect Chinese customs, and observe university regulations and disciplines. He or she shall take courses in accordance with the university's curriculum and teaching program, take part in the graduation exam or assessment as required, and accomplish the learning tasks at the university.

Article 42 An international student shall, pursuant to the regulations of the Chinese health administration, validate his or her Physical Examination Record for Foreigners or have a physical examination at a Chinese health quarantine department when entering the university. Should the student, as confirmed by the physical examination, have serious mental disorder, infectious tuberculosis or other infectious diseases that may immensely threaten public health, as stipulated in the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China, the public security department shall deal with the situation in accordance with the law.

Article 43 The university shall ensure insurance for all international students. The student shall purchase insurance pursuant to Chinese regulations and the university's requirements. The student who fails to purchase insurance as required shall do so within a specified period of time, and he who fails to do that again shall not be admitted by the university, or shall be dismissed or denied registration should the student be already studying in the university.

Article 44 An international student receiving higher academic education may, upon the university's approval of his or her application, shift major after the study begins.

Article 45 An international student receiving higher education may, with the university's approval, celebrate important traditional festivals of his or her home country at a designated location and in a designated scope on campus. Such celebrations shall not oppose or attack other countries or nations, or violate public morality.

Article 46 An international student receiving higher education may, with the university's approval, form sodalities on campus, which shall operate within the boundary stipulated by Chinese laws and regulations and under the guidance and management of the university.

Article 47 An international student may, of his or her own accord, participate in public welfare activities or celebrations of major Chinese festivals, but shall not carry out any religious activity, such as preaching or religious gathering, on campus, or organize or participate in preaching or illegal religious activities.

Article 48 An international student receiving higher education may participate in a work-study program or off-campus internship during the study. He or she shall, with the university's approval, apply to the entry/exit division of Beijing municipal public security department to add to his or her residence permit the location, term and other information on the work-study program or internship. The student shall not engage in a full-time job, business or other operational activities.

Article 49 An international student violating the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China, Public Security Administration Punishments Law of the People's Republic of China, Regulation of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreign Nationals, Provisions on the Administration of Religious Activities of Foreigners within the Territory of the People's Republic of China, or other laws and regulations shall be dealt with by the public security department and other authorities in accordance with the law. An international student violating the university's disciplines and regulations shall be dealt with by the university in accordance with its regulations.  

Chapter VIII Supplemental Provisions

Article 50 The term "short-term study" in this Regulations refers to a period of study at the university that lasts 180 days or less; the term "long-term study" refers to a period that lasts more than 180 days.

Article 51 Should a scientific research institute approved by relevant department to undertake postgraduate education decide to recruit international students, this Regulations shall apply.

Should a higher education institution approved by the BJEC to undertake non-academic education decide to recruit international students, this Regulations shall apply.

Article 52 This Regulations shall come into force on the date of issuance. The Notice on Printing and Distributing Several Provisions of Beijing on the Work of Foreign Students (Jing Jiao Wai [1997] No.022) jointly promulgated by the BJEC, BJFAO and BJBPS on September 19, 1997 shall become out of use immediately.

Article 53 The BJEC is responsible for the interpretation of this Regulations.

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(All information in this document is authentic in Chinese. English is provided for reference only. In case of any discrepancy, the Chinese version shall prevail.)