International students should hold regular passports and X visas to register with the school. Those on six-month or above study programs in China can apply for X1 visas to Chinese visa issuing organizations in foreign countries, by the visa application form for foreigners to study in China (JW201 or JW202 forms), the admission notice of the school, and health checkup records for foreigners; those on less than six-month programs in China can apply for X2 visas to Chinese visa issuing organizations in foreign countries, by the visa application form for foreigners to study in China (JW201 or JW202 forms)and the admission notice of the school; those on short-term group programs in China can apply for F visas for groups, by invitation letters tom the authorized school.

Foreigners holding a foreign diplomatic, business, official or special passport with a Chinese diplomatic, business or courtesy visa who wish to study or be trained in a Chinese university or college, shall apply to the Provincial or Ministerial-level Department of Foreign Affairs with a note issued by their own foreign affairs authorities announcing abandonment of privileges and immunities. After this application has been approved by the Department of Foreign Affairs, the foreigner shall apply to have her visa changed to an "X1" or "X2" visa at the Department of Public Security by presenting a letter of approval issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

A foreigner holding a foreign diplomatic, business, official or special passport who, according to bilateral agreements, does not need a Chinese visa, but who wishes to study or be trained at a Chinese university or college, shall exchange her passport for an ordinary passport, and then apply for an "X" visa at the entry and exit section of the Department of Public Security. Foreigners holding an ordinary passport with neither an "X1" nor "X2" visa wishing to study or be trained at a Chinese university or college shall apply to change their visas to an "X1" or "X2" visa at the entry and exit section of the Department of Public Security. When accepting the aforementioned applications, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Entry and Exit Section of the Department of Public Security shall review the applicants' Visa Application Form for Study in China (Form JW201 or Form JW202), her letter of acceptance issued by the (Chinese) university or college, and the Foreigner's Physical Examination Record.

After receiving a letter of acceptance issued by the university or college, the dependents of the foreign student may apply for "S" visas at the Chinese embassy or consulate where they reside in order to accompany the student to China. The Entry and Exit section of the department of public security shall renew the dependents' visa according to an official letter issued by the university or college. The dependents' term of residence in China shall not exceed the validity period of the foreign student's certificate of residence.

After entering the territory of the People's Republic of China, the foreign student who plans to study in China for more than 6 months shall, within the stipulated time limit, have her Foreigner's Physical Examination Record formally certified at the health and quarantine authorities. Those who fail to present their Foreigner's Physical Examination Record shall undergo a physical examination at the offices of the local health and quarantine authorities. Carriers of diseases that, according to China's laws and regulations preclude entry into China shall depart China and return to their country of origin without delay.

A foreign student holding an "X" visa shall apply for A Foreigner's Certificate of Residence at the Entry and Exit Section of the Department of Public Security within 30 days after entry. During the period of residence, if any changes occur in regard to any item on the certificate of residence, the foreign student shall apply for alterations at the Entry and Exit Section of the Department of Public Security within 10 days.

When transferring to another city for study, the foreign student shall first attend to emigration formalities at the Entry and Exit section of the Department of Public Security of his initial place of residence. Within 10 days after arrival at the new place of residence, the foreign student shall attend to immigration formalities at the Entry and Exit Section of the Department of Public Security at the place of immigration.

The foreign student shall attend to re-entry formalities before their departure if they want to exit China temporarily during their term of study. Those who plan to study or stay in China after their visas or certificates of residence have expired shall attend to renewal formalities before the expiry date.

Foreign students who have graduated, completed study, or left school shall exit China within the stipulated time limit. Their university or college shall promptly advise the Entry and Exit Section of the Department of Public Security of the names of those foreign students who have been ordered to withdraw or who have been expelled. The Entry and Exit Section of the Department of Public Security shall withdraw their Foreigner's Certificate of Residence or shorten their period of stay in China.

For other reasons of failure to apply for X or F visas, students can apply for an L visa (tourist visa) to enter into China, then according to the duration of study apply for a residence permit within the period of validity of the L visa.

Chinese middle and primary schools can receive international students of proper school age. The schools are usually open to international students whose parents are resident in China, while international students whose parents are not resident in China must be officially entrusted by their parents to foreigners resident in China or Chinese as guardians. When students under 18 years’ old apply for a Chinese visa, they should pay attention to that:

If the parent can be the student's guardian in Hunan and can work or stay in Hunan for a period longer than the student's duration of study, documents submitted shall include Letter from Guardian for the International Student who study at Hunan, photocopy of the Guardian's Passport as well as the Guardian’s work or residence certificates in Hunan;

If the parent can not be the student's guardian in Hunan, a friend or relative who works or resides in Hunan shall be assigned as the guardian during the period of the student's study in Hunan. Documents submitted shall include a photocopy of the Guardian Power of Attorney, photocopy of the guardian’s ID certificate as well as the Guardian's work or residence certificates in Hunan.
 
Source: Study in China