Visa and Residence Permit are one of the most important documents that enable you legal status to reside in China and pursue your studies. The Visa and Residence Permit application procedures can be complicate. Hence, do pay close attention to this component of the handbook. If you have further inquiries of or problems regarding Visa and Residence Permit, do not hesitate to contact the staffs at the Division for International Students’ Office

1. Visa

(1.1) Student Visa and Visiting Visa

International Students who will be studying in China for more than 6 months are required to obtain an ‘X1' Visa.

Notice:

(a)The‘X1’ Visa will is only valid for 30 days after your arrival. You must apply for a Residence Permit within these 30 days；You would be otherwise considered staying illegally and heavily fine

(b) According to Chinese law and regulations, students with visa-free access cannot get any other valid visa within mainland China. PLEASE apply for X1/X2/L visa before you come to China.  It is not advisable to arrive way before the day of registration since you will not be able to apply for a Residence Permit prior to registration.

'X1' Visa Sample

Students who will be studying in China for less than 6 months may apply for an ‘X2' Visa.

‘X2' Visa Sample

Students who plan to come to China one month before the day of registration may apply for a tourist visa, known as ‘L' Visa.

Tourist Visa/ ‘L' Visa Sample

You can get more information about applying Chinese Visa on the website: http://www.visaforchina.org/

(1.2) Changing Your Visa

A. Who should apply?

Students who will be residing and studying in China for more than 6 and do not have a Students Visa/ ‘X’ Visa.

B. When to apply?

Within the first ten days of your arrival

C. How to apply?

• Students must submit the following documents to the Admission & Foreign Liaison Office:

(i)Student ID card

(ii)Valid passport

(iii)Original copy of the university’s admission notification

(iv)Visa Application form for foreign students studying in China (also known as JW202/JW201 form)

(v)Valid proof of the students’ living or housing arrangements/ Accommodation Certificate from the local police station (not required for the students living on campus)

(vi)1 passport size photo

• Students must collect the ‘Visa and Residence Permit Form’ from the Admission & Foreign Liaison Office.

• Students must submit all of the above documents together with the ‘Visa and Residence Permit Form’ to the Changsha Public Security Bureau to change their Visa (refer to Appendix 1.2 for the address and office hours of the Bureau).

D. What will happen if I do not change my Visa?

Without a valid visa, you do not have the legal status to remain in China as a student and you will face persecution charges by the Chinese Law.

(1.3) Visa Extension

E. Who should apply?

Visiting Visa/‘F’ Visa holders who will be continuing their studies in China after the expiration date of their Visa.

F. When to apply?

One month before your current Visa expires.

G. How to apply?

• Students must have already paid their tuition fees in full prior to their visa application.

• Students are required to submit the following documents to the Admission & Foreign Liaison Office:

(i)Student ID card

(ii)Valid passport

(iii)Valid proof of the students’ living or housing arrangements/ Accommodation Certificate from the local police station (not required for students living on campus)

(iv)1 passport size photo

• Students are required to collect the ‘Visa and Residence Permit Form’ from the Admission & Foreign Liaison Office.

• Students must submit all the above documents together with the ‘Visa and Residence Permit Form’ to the Changsha Public Security Bureau to extend their Visa. H. What will happen if I do not extend my visa?

If you remain in China after your visa expires and did not apply for an extension, you will be considered as an illegal resident in the eyes of the Chinese Law and you will be persecuted accordingly.

(1.4) Visa Application for International Student’s Spouse and Children

• The spouse and children (younger than 18 years old) of International Students may apply for a Tourist Visa/‘L’ Visa that has a length of stay of 6 months or 1 year (with single, double or multiple entries). The students’ family members may extend their Visa when it is near expiration. Your family members are entitled to an unlimited number of Visa extensions as long as the validity of their extended Visa does not exceed the expiration date of your Residence Permit. To extend the Visa of your family members, please follow the procedures indicated below: • Submit the following documents to the Admission & Foreign Liaison Office:

(i)A valid passport and Residence Permit of your own

(ii)A valid passport and visa of your family members

(iii)A Valid proof of living or housing arrangements of yourself and your family members/Accommodation Certificate from the local police station.

(iv)Marriage certificate and/ birth certificates.

(v)1 passport size photo of each of your family members

Note: All certificates issued by foreign authorities will only be considered valid in the eyes of the Chinese Law after they have received verification from the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in the students’ home country.

• Collect the ‘Visa and Residence Permit Form’ on the behalf of your family members from the Admission & Foreign Liaison Office. • Submit all the above documents as well as the ‘Visa and Residence Permit Form’ to the Changsha Public Security Bureau. P

2. Residence Permit

(2.1) Residence Permit Application

A. Who should apply?

Student Visa / ‘X’ Visa holders who will be studying in China for more than 6 months must apply for a “Residence Permit”.

B. When to apply?

Within the first 30 days of your arrival.

C. How to apply?

• International Students must submit the following documents to the Admission & Foreign Liaison Office:

i.Student ID card

ii.Valid passport and a Student Visa/ ‘X’ Visa

iii. Health Certificate verified by the Beijing EntryExit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau.

iv.Visa Application Form for foreign students studying in China (JW201/JW202 Form)

v.Central South University of Forestry and Technology Admission Notification

vi.1 passport size photo

vii.Valid proof of the students’ living or housing arrangements/Accommodation Certificate from the local police station

• Students are required to collect the ‘Visa and Residence Permit Form’ from the Admission & Foreign Liaison Office.

• Students must submit all the above documents as well as the ‘Visa and Residence Permit Form’ to the Changsha Public Security Bureau to obtain their Residence Permit .

(2.1.1) Health Certificate

All students must obtain a Health Certificate that is issued by the Changsha Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau. New students who have their Health Certificate issued by another body must have it verified by the Changsha Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau. - Students whose Health Certificate receives verification from the Bureau will be issued with the Bureau’s Health Certificate. - Students with Health Certificates that does not receive approval or verification from the Bureau will have to complete a medical examination offered by the Bureau in order to obtain its Health Certificate.

(2.2) Residence Permit Expiration Date

The duration of your Residence Permit is generally as long as your designated duration of study. The validity of your Residence Permit must not exceed the expiration date of your passport.

(2.3) Replacement of Residence Permit

If you should renew or obtain a new passport (due to unforeseen reasons), you must apply for a new Residence Permit within the first 10 days after you have obtained your new passport. To apply for a new Residence Permit, please follow the procedures indicated below:

• Submit the following documents to the Admission & Foreign Liaison Office:

(i)Student ID Card

(ii)A replaced/new and valid passport

(iii)Valid proof of the students’ living or housing arrangements/Accommodation Certificate from the local police station (not required for students living on campus)

(iv)1 passport size photo

• Collect the ‘Visa and Residence Permit Form’ from the Admission & Foreign Liaison Office.

• Submit all the above documents together with the ‘Visa and Residence Permit Form’ to the Changsha Public Security Bureau to obtain your new permit.

D. What will happen if I do not replace my Residence Permit?

If you fail to replace or obtain a new Residence Permit and you continue to remain in China, you will be considered as an illegal resident in the eyes of the Chinese Law and you will be persecuted accordingly.

(2.4) Changing Your Residence Permit

A. Who should apply?

Students who have made changes to their address, passport number (if you obtain a new passport) and current school of study while they are in China.

B. When to apply?

Whenever there are changes made to your address, passport number and current school of study.

C. How to apply?

• Students are to submit the following documents to the Admission & Foreign Liaison Office:

(i)Student ID Card

(ii)Valid Passport

(iii)Valid proof of the students’ living or housing arrangements/Accommodation Certificate from the local police station (not required for students living on campus)

(iv)1 passport size photo

• Students will also have to collect the ‘Visa and Residence Permit Form’ from the Admission & Foreign Liaison Office.

• Students must submit all the above documents together with the ‘Visa and Residence Permit Form’ to the Changsha Public Security Bureau to change their permit.

D. What will happen if I do not change my permit?

If you do not change/update your permit, you will face persecution charges by the Chinese Law.

d Residence Permit Application

(2.5) Residence Permit Extension

D. Who should apply?

Students who continue to study at BCC after the expiry date of their current Residence Permit.

E. When to apply?

One month before your current Residence Permit expires.

F. How to apply?

• Students must submit the following documents to the Admission & Foreign Liaison Office:

(i)Student ID Card

(ii)Valid Passport

(iii)Valid proof of the students’ living or housing arrangements/ Accommodation Certificate from the local police station (not required for students living on campus)

(iv)1 passport size photo

• Students must also collect the ‘Visa and Residence Permit Form’ from the Admission & Foreign Liaison Office.

• Students must submit all the above documents together with the ‘Visa and Residence Permit Form’ to the Changsha Public Security Bureau to extend their permit.

G. What will happen if I do not extend my permit?

If you remain in China after your permit expires, you will be considered as an illegal resident and you will face persecution charges by the Chinese Law.

(2.6) International Transfer Students’ Residence Permit

International Students who transfer to Central South University of Forestry and Technology from another institution must possess a valid passport and Residence Permit prior to their transfer. After their transfer, these students must follow the appropriate procedures (as indicated in 2.4) and prepare the required documents to make changes to their Residence Permit.

3. Leaving the Country after Completing Your Studies International Students who have completed their studies are required to leave Mainland China before the expiration date of their Visa and Residence Permit. If you plan to remain in the country after the expiration date of your Visa and Residence Permit, you must apply for a Visa/Residence Permit extension.

4.  Chinese Laws and Regulations

The legal rights of International Students will be upheld and protected by the Chinese Law. At the same time, International students are required to obey all the Chinese Laws as well as the university’s rules and regulations. For instance: The People’s Republic of China’s Rules for the Entry and Exit of Foreigners, The Traffic Laws, Regulations for Institutions of Higher Learning and more.