Wherever you are coming from, we are excited for you to become a part of PKUSZ.

Coming to study in Shenzhen, is a thrilling new step in your education. But for most students, it is a major transition. We have guided hundreds ofinternational students through the steps and processes of starting their graduate studies or exchange, while assisting with all the small details along the way.

Look through the online resources regarding important information for preparation, this will help avoidunnecessarysetbacks in beginning your studies and settling in.

Wealsoencourage you to start learning Chinese, keeping up to date on Chinese news and read books about China.

Most of all, ask questions and our coordinators will be willing to help.

Visa & Entry

Visa and Entry Process for Full-Time Students

Before you arrive to PKU Shenzhen, you will need to apply for a visa from your home country. Full-time students are required to apply for an X (student) visa. To apply for a visa, you need to apply through the local Chinese Consulate in your home country. In June before your arrival, you will receive a hard copy of your admission notification and a JW202 form from the school. These documents will be used to apply for your X visa. We recommend that you start the application process as soon as you receive these documents as the process can be lengthy, depending on your nationality. However, please be sure to enter China before the expiration date of your visa. The visa application form and instructions can be downloaded from the Chinese Consulate’s website in your home country.

Please keep in mind that regulations often vary by country, and your country may require additional forms and procedures. For example, some countries require a health check to apply for an X visa. Even if you are required to undergo a health check at home, the Chinese government still requires that you have another health check at an official hospital once you arrive in China. If you encounter any difficulties with your visa application, please contacttheinternational coordinatorofyour school or PKU Shenzhen.

Full-time degree seeking students and exchange students studying for over 180 days will apply for an X1 visa

Exchange students staying for less than 180 days will apply for an X2 visa.

Entering China

An X1 visa is a temporary single entry visa that is used to apply for a residence permit. All full-time degree seeking students will apply for a residence permit. After entering Mainland China, your X1 visa is valid for 30 days. Once you arrive, we will assist you in the residence permit application process. The process for applying for a residence permit takes roughly two months and costs about 1000RMB (to be paid by the student). During this time, you will not able to leave Mainland China. Visiting Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan are all considered as leaving Mainland China. After you receive your residence permit, you can enter and leave China as many times as you wish.

X2 visa holders cannot apply for the residence permit. This visa is also only valid for one entry into mainland China. Therefore, X2 visa holders can also not exit mainland China once they have entered, unless they have applied for extra entries. Most exchange students do decide to engage in travel to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macua or international destinations. In order to engage in this sort of travel, an X2 visa holder must apply for an extra entry.This can only be done once you have arrived in China to begin your studies.

In addition, we ask that you do not enter China ahead of the announced arrival date for international students. As stated above, the residence permit application process requires many steps that must be completed within the 30 day time limit. If you do need to arrive to China before the arrival date, please contact your international coordinator at your school or PKU Shenzhen.

Applying for Your Resident Permit (X1 visa holder only)

The residence permit application process includes a health check and a public security bureau interview. Due to the new Exit-Entry Administration Law, the application process takes approximately two months. During this time you will be without your passport and unable to leave Mainland China. You will be assisted throughout this process, but if, as a student, you arrive after the orientation arrival dates then there may be portions you must do yourself.

1. Register with the local police bureau. The school will register your passport at the local police bureau on your behalf upon your arrival at PKU Shenzhen. You will need to submit 2 passport sized photos, please come prepared with these two photos. All students must also complete the WeChat police registration (information included in welcome bag)

2. Take an official ID photo with an authorized receipt. The school will assist you in obtaining the official ID picture. If you attend the registration day, there is a photographer arranged to take the photos free of charge. If you miss this opportunity, photos can be taken at official locations off-campus for around 30RMB. This photo is valid for one month and will be used to apply for your residence permit.

2. Obtain a health certificate issued by the Shenzhen International Travel Healthcare Hospital. The school will accompany you to the hospital for your health check. The health check is required even if you completed a similar health check in your home country for your visa application. The health check includes a blood test, urine sample and X-Ray and costs approximately 500RMB (subject to change; cost to be paid by the student). You will need to bring your passport, 500RMB in cash (credit or debit cards are not accepted) and two photos which you will receive in step 2. It takes about one week to receive the results of the health check.

3. Submit application for a resident permit. All students must apply in person at the Shenzhen Public Security Bureau for their resident permits. Students are required to submit their passports, health certificate, official ID picture, residence application form, admission notification, JW202 form, and an official letter from PKU Shenzhen stating the duration of your studies. The cost of a residence permit for less than one year is 400RMB (cost to be paid by the student). The application processing time after submitting all necessary forms takes approximately 3 weeks (longer if there are government holidays during that time period), for which you will be without your passport.

*All fees can be paid by WeChat or in cash (in RMB). Foreign credit and debit cards are not accepted.

Staff Resources

Pre-arrival communication and international student services are managed in partnership between the administrative offices of the individual schools and main administrative officesof PKUSZ.

You will get to know severalstaff members who regularly handle international student affairs. In order to reduce confusion, and receive the most efficient help, a description ofofficeroles is below:

PKU Shenzhen Main Administration

International Affairs Office

The IAOhandles general life affairs and cultural events for international students.

Areas of assistance: Campus living, orientation, counseling info, PKU student associations, medical incidents, insurance, cultural events, getting to know Shenzhen, general China questions

Education Affairs Office

The EAO is responsible for managing the general academic administration and CSC scholarships of all PKU Shenzhen students.

Areas of assistance: PKUSZ registration, CSC scholarship, academic documents

Academic Schools

Peking University HSBC Business School – International Office

The international office of PHBS handles admissions, visa procedures and school-specific academic affairs of PHBS international students.

Areas of assistance: Academic affairs, admissions, PHBS scholarship, visa, medical incidents, insurance

PKU School of Transnational Law

STL handles admissions, visa procedures and school-specific academic affairs of STL international students.

Areas of assistance: Academic affairs, admissions, PHBS scholarship, visa, medical incidents, insurance

Packing List

You will be able to find most of everything that you will need in China. Clothes, toiletries, shoes, cell phones etc. are quite cheap. Shenzhen has many international stores such as H&M, Decathlon, Ikea and UniQlo. However, some things can be harder to find. We have listed some recommendations on what to bring to China.

Documents:Most importantly you must bring the key documents for the admissions and visa processes. Without these documents you may not be able to register as a student or stay in China. Pack your passport, admissions letter, pre-arrival info, diploma (if needed), and other critical documents in a secure and safe place on yourperson or in your carry-on bags. Checked luggage is sometimes delayed or even lost in international travel.

Lightweight clothes. Clothes are quite cheap and easy to buy in China, so there is no need to over pack. However, if you need larger sizes (especially for shoes or pants) you find suitable sizes hard to find. There are also many inexpensive tailors and international stores in Shenzhen.

Personal hygiene products. Take a few samples of your favorite brands, as you will have difficulties finding the same products in China.

Mementos and photosfrom home

Small giftsto give to your Chinese friends

Bug Spray, sunscreen, antiperspirant

Prescription or name brand medications. You may not be able to find the same brand of medication in China. It is also helpful to bring basic medicines, such as ibuprofen, cold and flu medicine, anti-diarrhea medicine, etc.

Booksin your native language or an Electronic book reader

The following websites can further help you in preparing your packing list:

http://www.travellerspoint.com/packing-list.cfm

http://www.onebag.com/checklist.html

Housing Assignments

Over 4 out of 5 international students choose to live on campus. While living on campus is not required, we highly recommend it because of the relative affordability and convenience.

Dormitory arrangements are made by the Student Service Office of PKU Shenzhen, however, each school will have a responsibleinternationalstudent coordinator to communicate housing preferences of international students. If you are an incoming student, your coordinator will contact you about housing preferences several months before your arrival date.

There are a limited number of single rooms. Preference for single rooms will first go to full-time students. School coordinators will also communicate the other preferences that may be given in assigning single rooms, for example, the timeliness of response to a housing survey they send.

The Student Service Office will complete the dormitory assignments at least one month before arrival and at this time, your coordinator can confirm individual arrangements with you.

Beginning in the 2021-2022 academic year, international students will residein the new international student dormitory building of PKU Shenzhen. Construction of this building is currently underway and more information about the accommodations will be shared upon completion.