Janice Lozano
China has had some of the world's strictest COVID-19 prevention protocols, and its borders have been closed to almost all foreigners since March 28, 2020. In 2023, there were signs of a gradual reopening of the Chinese border to international students. However, it is unclear when China will fully open its borders to all foreigners and international students. There are a few possibilities for how this could play out, including opening the borders to students from certain countries first or opening some provinces or cities first.
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What You'll Learn
China's border restrictions due to COVID-19
China has had some of the world's strictest COVID-19 border restrictions. In March 2020, China closed its borders to almost all foreigners, including international students, and introduced mandatory quarantine and testing requirements for arrivals. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) also restricted international airline flight volumes based on COVID-19 testing outcomes for passengers. If five passengers on an airline tested positive, CAAC would suspend the carrier's operations for one week; if 10 passengers tested positive, the suspension would last four weeks. China also banned foreign nationals from travelling from specific countries, including Belgium, France, Russia, the Philippines, India, Italy, Bangladesh, the UK, and Ukraine.
In early 2023, China reopened its borders to tourists, but the number of visitors remained significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels. In December 2023, China announced visa-free entry for citizens of several countries, including France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. As of July 2025, citizens of more than 70 countries could visit China without a visa for up to 30 days. However, citizens from 10 countries not in the visa-free scheme could only enter China for up to 10 days if they departed for a different country than the one they came from.
Despite the easing of restrictions for tourists, China's borders remained largely closed to international students in 2022. Some Chinese universities were in communication with the government to allow international students back into the country, and there were possibilities that China would open its borders for international students from some countries, such as Russia and South Korea. However, it is unclear when exactly Russia and other countries would be allowed entry.
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Bilateral agreements with select countries
China has adopted some of the world's most restrictive COVID-19 prevention protocols, and its borders have been closed to international students and almost all foreigners since March 28, 2020. However, there are possibilities that China will open its borders to international students from select countries through bilateral agreements.
China has signed a bilateral agreement with South Korea, allowing South Korean students accepted by Chinese universities to enter China despite the pandemic. Additionally, some Chinese universities have submitted proposals to receive Russian students, and it is believed that once China opens its borders to Russia, it will gradually open to other countries, especially those that have well-controlled the pandemic. This includes countries in the "Belt and Road Initiative" and ASEN countries due to existing cooperation and economic relationships.
China also has a history of bilateral agreements with the UK. In 2015, the 8th UK-China Education Summit resulted in 23 education agreements being signed, strengthening educational ties between the two countries. These agreements included institution-to-institution links, such as a partnership between Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) and Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) to deliver joint undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in China. Other agreements focused on knowledge transfer, such as the MoU between the exam board AQA and the Chinese Society of Education, which aimed to transfer British best practices in science and math assessment to China.
Furthermore, China has been engaged in scientific and technological cooperation with the EU since the signature of the Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement in 1998, which was tacitly renewed in 2019. The EU and China have been discussing a Joint Roadmap to foster a mutually beneficial research and innovation environment. This cooperation includes the Co-funding Mechanism, where Chinese entities participating in flagship topics will be funded by China's Ministry of Science and Technology.
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Chinese universities' proposals to receive students
China has adopted some of the world's most restrictive COVID-19 prevention protocols, and its borders have been closed to almost all foreigners since March 28, 2020. However, Chinese universities are still recruiting international students for programme admissions.
Some Chinese universities have submitted proposals to the government to receive international students, particularly from Russia, this year. This is due to a bilateral agreement signed in 2021 that allows Russian students to enter China, despite the pandemic. It is believed that if China opens its borders to Russian students, it will also gradually open to international students from other countries, especially those that have well-controlled the pandemic, such as countries in the "Belt and Road Initiative" and ASEN countries.
Another possibility for China to open its borders to international students is to first open some provinces or cities to foreigners. Provinces that have well-controlled the pandemic could be opened first, allowing the government to adjust policies and protocols gradually and wisely.
International students can apply to Chinese universities online, directly through university websites, or through platforms like CUCAS and CUAC, which act as intermediaries and provide guidance. China Admissions, another online platform, was founded by a former international student and has received funding from the Beijing City Government. It offers a free service for students to choose courses and apply to Chinese universities.
The academic year in China is typically divided into two semesters: spring and autumn. To apply for a Chinese student visa, it is best to submit applications by mid-July for the spring semester and late April for the autumn semester.
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Partial opening of borders for international students
China's borders have been closed to international students since March 28, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, China adopted some of the world's most restrictive COVID-19 prevention protocols, making it unlikely that the country would open its borders to all foreigners or international students that year.
However, there have been signs of a partial opening of China's borders for international students. On July 21, 2022, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang stated that "All international students can return to China to continue their studies according to their own wishes, and overseas business activities and cross-border labor travel will be promoted in an orderly manner." Following this statement, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs suggested a gradual process, with spokesperson Wang Wenbin adding, "We welcome foreign students from India and other countries to return, and will make corresponding arrangements."
Some Chinese universities have submitted proposals to receive Russian students, with the belief that once borders open to Russian students, they will also gradually open to international students from other countries, particularly those that have well-controlled the pandemic. Additionally, China has signed a bilateral agreement with South Korea, allowing South Korean students accepted by Chinese universities to enter China during the pandemic.
Another possible approach to partially opening borders is to open some provinces or cities for international students first. Provinces that have effectively controlled the pandemic can be opened initially, allowing the government to observe and adjust policies and protocols as needed.
While there are positive signs of a partial reopening, it is important to note that China's border restrictions for international students have had a significant impact on the country's international education industry. Many foreign students, especially from Africa and South Asia, have been stranded outside the country, and some programs for international students have been closed or suspended.
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Visa requirements for international students
China has maintained some of the world's strictest COVID-19 prevention protocols since closing its borders to almost all foreigners on March 28, 2020. While there is no official confirmation, there are a few possibilities for reopening borders to international students. One way could be opening borders to students from certain countries first, such as Russia and South Korea. Another way could be opening some provinces or cities first, with those that have controlled the pandemic well.
For international students, the visa requirements to enter China are as follows:
- Passport valid for at least six months with at least one blank page
- Admission notice from the university
- JW201 or JW202 form
- Foreigner Physical Examination Record
- Registration of accommodation
- Passport-style photo with a white background
- Visa application form
- Proof of legal status in the country where the visa is being applied for
- Copy of plane tickets and accommodation arrangements
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Bank statement with at least $2500 for every school year or a scholarship certificate
The Chinese student visa, also known as the X visa, is further divided into two types:
- X1 Visa: For long-term study of more than 180 days.
- X2 Visa: For short-term study of up to 180 days.
The validity of both visas is 90 days from the date of issue. The X1 visa has a variable stay duration, while the X2 visa is valid for no more than 180 days.
International students must register their residence address in China within 24 hours of arrival and can take up part-time work or internships with permission from the university and the Chinese immigration authorities.
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