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If you want to stay in China after graduation, plan before your student status ends. The change from student to worker is a formal immigration step, not an automatic one.
Start early
- Begin at least 2–3 months before graduation or before your residence permit expires.
- Ask your university’s international office and the local exit-entry administration what applies in your city — rules and timelines vary.
Main routes
| Route | Who it suits |
|---|---|
| Work permit + work-type residence permit | A job offer from a Chinese employer |
| Post-study internship / job-search | Some cities allow a short extension to look for work |
| Continue studying | Another degree or language programme |
| Leave and return on a work visa | Applying from abroad with a confirmed offer |
Requirements for a work permit typically include a degree, a job offer, and sometimes work experience and an age limit. Categories and points-based criteria exist; your employer usually handles much of the paperwork.
What your employer does
- Applies for the work permit / foreign expert certificate.
- Helps convert your residence permit to a work residence permit.
- Registers you locally.
What you must keep in order
- Valid passport with enough remaining validity.
- A residence permit that does not lapse between student and work status.
- Any police registration for your address up to date.
- Degree certificate (and authenticated copies if asked).
Important cautions
- Do not work before your permit allows it — even part-time. It can jeopardise future visas.
- Do not let your student residence permit expire while you wait for a decision.
- Rules differ sharply by city (Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen publish their own policies).
Immigration policy changes and is city-specific. Confirm with the employer, your university and the VisChat is an independent information and data site.