Staying in China after graduation: the two residence permit measures the immigration guides print

Sources checked 11 October 2026 · After arrival

Two National Immigration Administration English service guides print paragraphs for foreign graduates who take up innovation or business start-up in China. The residence permit guide prints them as paragraphs e and f, and the visa extension guide prints them as paragraphs a and b under "6. International students". Each paragraph is worded as an application route ("may apply" or "can apply"), and none of the four names a university.

Residence permit service guide

This is the National Immigration Administration service guide on residence permits for foreigners, English page dated 2021-04-01.

Paragraph e: graduates of key universities in China

"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."

Who it is for: outstanding foreign students with a bachelor's degree or above from key universities in China, who are engaged in innovation activities or business start-up in China.
Verb as printed: "may apply".
Permit and validity: residence permits "valid for 2-5 years".
Where to apply: "the exit and entry departments of relevant public security organs".
Papers named: graduation certificates, and supporting materials for innovation or business start-up activities.
Paragraph e does not define "key universities", so it does not say which universities count.

Paragraph f: graduates of internationally renowned universities

"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)."

Who it is for: foreign students who graduated from internationally renowned universities and come to China for innovation and business start-up within 2 years after graduation.
Verb as printed: "may apply".
Permit and validity: residence permits "valid for no more than 2 years".
Where to apply: "the exit and entry departments of relevant public security organs".
Papers named: "supporting materials such as their graduation certificates (diploma)". The words "such as" show that the graduation certificate (diploma) is named as one example.
Paragraph f does not define "internationally renowned universities".

Visa extension, change and reissuance service guide

This is the National Immigration Administration service guide on visa extension, change and reissuance for foreigners, English page dated 2021-04-01. The two paragraphs below sit under item 6, "International students".

Paragraph a: graduates of key Chinese institutions of higher learning

"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."

Who it is for: outstanding foreign students with a bachelor's degree or above from a key Chinese institution of higher learning, who engage in innovation and entrepreneurship in China after graduation.
Verb as printed: "can apply".
Permit and validity: "a residence permit for private affairs valid for two to five years (marked with "entrepreneurship")".
Papers named: "their university graduation certificate and certificates for innovation and entrepreneurship".
Paragraph a does not name the office that receives the application.
Separately, paragraph a has a second sentence that concerns employment, not the graduate route: "Those who are employed by enterprises and other entities may apply for a work-type residence permit in accordance with relevant regulations."

Paragraph b: graduates of internationally renowned universities

"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."

Who it is for: foreign students who have graduated from internationally renowned universities and come to China for innovation and entrepreneurship within two years after graduation.
Verb as printed: "can apply".
Permit and validity: "residence permit for private affairs valid for no more than two years (marked with "entrepreneurship")".
Papers named: "the academic (degree) certificates".
Paragraph b does not name the office that receives the application.
Paragraph b has a second sentence on employment, worded the same way as the second sentence of paragraph a: "Those who are employed by enterprises and other entities may apply for a work-type residence permit in accordance with relevant regulations."
Paragraph b does not define "internationally renowned universities".

Side-by-side comparison

Paragraph	Who it is for	University wording	Permit and validity	Papers named	Verb as printed
Residence permit guide, e	Outstanding foreign students engaged in innovation activities or business start-up in China	"key universities in China", bachelor's degree or above	residence permits valid for 2-5 years	graduation certificates; supporting materials for innovation or business start-up activities	may apply
Residence permit guide, f	Foreign students who come to China for innovation and business start-up within 2 years after graduation	"internationally renowned universities"	residence permits valid for no more than 2 years	supporting materials such as graduation certificates (diploma)	may apply
Visa extension guide, 6a	Outstanding foreign students who engage in innovation and entrepreneurship in China after graduation	"a key Chinese institution of higher learning", bachelor's degree or above	residence permit for private affairs valid for two to five years (marked with "entrepreneurship")	university graduation certificate; certificates for innovation and entrepreneurship	can apply
Visa extension guide, 6b	Foreign students who come to China for innovation and entrepreneurship within two years after graduation	"internationally renowned universities"	residence permit for private affairs valid for no more than two years (marked with "entrepreneurship")	academic (degree) certificates	can apply

How the two guides word the same measure differently

University wording: residence permit guide, paragraph e, says "key universities in China". Visa extension guide, paragraph a, says "a key Chinese institution of higher learning". The two wordings are not the same.
Innovation wording: residence permit guide says "innovation or business start-up". Visa extension guide says "innovation and entrepreneurship".
Validity: residence permit guide prints "2-5 years" and "no more than 2 years". Visa extension guide prints "two to five years" and "no more than two years".
Permit label: residence permit guide names "residence permits" without a category. Visa extension guide names a "residence permit for private affairs" and says it is marked "entrepreneurship".
Verb: residence permit guide uses "may apply". Visa extension guide uses "can apply".
Receiving office: residence permit guide names "the exit and entry departments of relevant public security organs". The visa extension paragraphs a and b do not name a receiving office.

A suggestion for planning (not a rule)

Before you rely on either guide, copy the exact wording of the paragraph you think fits, and compare it with your own degree certificate and the university's name as printed on it. The paragraphs do not define "key universities", "key Chinese institution of higher learning" or "internationally renowned universities". For that reason, check the status question with the office that handles your case.

Sources

National Immigration Administration, Service Guide on residence permits for foreigners (English page dated 2021-04-01), published by National Immigration Administration
National Immigration Administration, Service Guide on visa extension, change and reissuance for foreigners (English page dated 2021-04-01), published by National Immigration Administration

Checked 10 October 2026

This page is an unofficial summary. It is not published by or affiliated with the Ministry of Education, the China Scholarship Council, the National Immigration Administration, any embassy or any university, and it is not legal advice. If they differ, the official text and the current notice of the office handling your case prevail.