After graduation in China: the residence options the immigration guides list for graduates

Can you stay in China after a master's or PhD? The immigration guides list facilitation measures under which some graduates may apply for a residence permit, but these are "may apply" routes and nothing in them promises a permit. Two English service guides of the National Immigration Administration, both dated 1 April 2021, set out the conditions below.

Residence-permit measures for graduates of Chinese universities

The Service Guide on residence permits for foreigners, section e, states:

"For outstanding foreign students who have obtained a bachelor's degree or above from key universities in China and are engaged in innovation activities or business start-up in China, the applicant may apply for residence permits valid for 2-5 years from the exit and entry departments of relevant public security organs by providing their graduation certificates and supporting materials for innovation or business start-up activities."

The Service Guide on visa extension, change and reissuance for foreigners, section 6(a), states:

"Outstanding foreign students who have obtained a bachelor's degree or above from a key Chinese institution of higher learning and engage in innovation and entrepreneurship in China after graduation can apply for a residence permit for private affairs valid for two to five years (marked with "entrepreneurship") by presenting their university graduation certificate and certificates for innovation and entrepreneurship. Those who are employed by enterprises and other entities may apply for a work-type residence permit in accordance with relevant regulations."

The visa guide adds two details the residence-permit guide does not: the private-affairs permit is marked "entrepreneurship", and those employed by enterprises or other entities may apply for a work-type residence permit under the relevant rules.

Measures for graduates of internationally renowned universities

The residence-permit guide, section f, states:

"For foreign students who graduated from internationally renowned universities and come to China for innovation and business start-up within 2 years after graduation, the applicants may apply for residence permits valid for no more than 2 years at the exit and entry departments of relevant public security organs by providing supporting materials such as their graduation certificates (diploma)."

The visa guide, section 6(b), states:

"Foreign students who have graduated from internationally renowned universities and come to China for innovation and entrepreneurship within two years after graduation can apply for residence permit for private affairs valid for no more than two years (marked with "entrepreneurship") with the academic (degree) certificates. Those who are employed by enterprises and other entities may apply for a work-type residence permit in accordance with relevant regulations."

The "no more than 2 years" limit is inclusive of 2 years.

The internship route for students from overseas institutions

The visa guide, section 6(c), lists a separate route that is not for China graduates:

"Foreign students from overseas institutions of higher learning who are invited to take internship in China by well-known Chinese enterprises and public institutions can apply for a visa for private affairs valid for one year (noting "internship") with a letter issued by the inviting entity and a study certificate issued by their institutions of higher learning. Foreign students from overseas institutions of higher learning who come to China for internship in accordance with intergovernmental agreements may apply for work-type residence permits in accordance with relevant regulations."

This route is for students enrolled at overseas institutions who are invited to intern in China; it is distinct from the post-graduation residence measures above.

What the university reports when you graduate

Article 26 of the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners places a reporting duty on the admitting entity. Upon discovery that "A foreign student admitted has graduated, completed his or her course(s) or study, has quit school, or has left the school ungraduated," the entity that admitted the foreign student shall report, in a timely manner, to the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ of the local people's government at or above the county level.

Undefined terms in the guides

The measures above use the words "outstanding", "key", "internationally renowned" and "well-known", but the sections that list them do not define them. Section e of the residence-permit guide and sections 6(a), 6(b) and 6(c) of the visa guide state these words without giving their meaning. Nothing in the quoted sections promises that an application will be granted.

Checking current availability

Both guides are English pages dated 1 April 2021. Whether a given measure is currently offered, and the exact documents and steps required, should be confirmed with the local exit and entry administration handling your case. The conditions above are those the pages listed as of their date.

Questions people ask

Can graduating from a Chinese university let me keep a residence permit automatically?

No. The guides list facilitation measures under which you may apply; section e of the residence-permit guide uses "may apply" and section 6(a) of the visa guide uses "can apply", and neither states an automatic right to a permit. Article 26 of the Regulations governs the university's reporting duty at graduation, not the grant of a permit.

What does my university do when I graduate?

Under Article 26 of the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners, the entity that admitted you shall report to the exit and entry administration authority when a foreign student admitted has graduated, completed the course or study, quit school, or left ungraduated.

Are "outstanding" and "key" defined in the guides?

No. Section e of the residence-permit guide and sections 6(a) and 6(b) of the visa guide use "outstanding" and "key" without defining them. The visa guide's section 6(b) also uses "internationally renowned" without definition.

Sources

• National Immigration Administration — Service Guide on residence permits for foreigners (English page dated 2021-04-01) — National Immigration Administration (en.nia.gov.cn)
• National Immigration Administration — Service Guide on visa extension, change and reissuance for foreigners (English page dated 2021-04-01) — National Immigration Administration (en.nia.gov.cn)
• Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners (English text published by the National Immigration Administration) — National Immigration Administration

Checked 11 October 2026

This page is an unofficial summary, is not published by or affiliated with the Ministry of Education, the China Scholarship Council, CHSI or any university, is not legal advice, and the official text and the current notice of the university or authority handling your case prevail if they differ.