How much is a residence permit for students in China?
Unofficial answer · Sources checked
A student residence permit in mainland China costs CNY 400 for a permit valid less than one year, CNY 800 for one year up to less than three years, and CNY 1,000 for three to five years. The fee follows the validity printed on the permit, not your student level, course or university.
What the fees are
The National Immigration Administration's residence permit service guide sets the fee by the validity of the permit issued. The English wording in this section is this site's own translation of the Chinese text on the Administration's service platform.
| Permit validity | Fee |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | CNY 400 |
| 1 year up to less than 3 years | CNY 800 |
| 3 to 5 years | CNY 1,000 |
The charging standard is the Notice of the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Finance on Charging Standard and Issues Relating to Residence Permits for Foreigners (Fa Gai Jia Ge [2004] No. 2230), cited in Section IX (Charging Basis and Standards) of the service guide.
Accompanying persons and information changes
Section IX of the English service guide states that the same charging standards apply to every accompanying person added to the residence permit. Removing an accompanying person costs CNY 200 per person per time. An information change on the permit costs CNY 200 per person per time.
How payment is made
Section IX (Charging Basis and Standards) of the English service guide lists the amounts but does not state how payment is made at the office. Ask the exit and entry office handling your case which payment method it accepts.
Who sets the fee
The fee obligation comes from the Exit and Entry Administration Law, Article 92, which states that foreigners applying for residence permits shall pay document fees in accordance with relevant regulations. The amount itself is fixed by the NDRC and Ministry of Finance notice cited above and published in the National Immigration Administration's service guide.
Related questions
How long does a residence permit application take?
The exit and entry department decides whether to issue the permit within the validity of the acceptance receipt, which may not exceed 15 working days from the date of acceptance (service guide, Section VIII).
What documents do I submit for a student residence permit?
Submit a valid passport or other international travel document, a completed application form with one photo, and study materials — a letter from the school indicating the term of study and a letter of admission or enrollment (English service guide, Student-type Residence Permit; Chinese guide, Section VI).
Can I work while holding a student residence permit?
A foreigner holding a student-type residence permit who intends to work part-time or intern outside the school must obtain the school's approval and apply to the exit and entry department for a remark on the permit showing the location and duration. Without the required remark, work or outside-school internship is not allowed (English service guide, Student-type Residence Permit).
Sources
- National Immigration Administration — service guide for issuing, extending, replacing and reissuing foreigners' residence permits (Chinese) — National Immigration Administration
- National Immigration Administration — Service Guide on residence permits for foreigners (English) — National Immigration Administration
- Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China — National Immigration Administration
Checked 11 October 2026
This page is an unofficial summary and is not legal or immigration advice. It is not published by or affiliated with the bodies named above. If it differs from the official text or the instructions of the university, embassy or exit-entry office handling your case, the official text and those instructions prevail.