Complete Checklist: Documents Needed to Study in China (2026)

The Ultimate Document Checklist

Preparing your application to study in China involves gathering many documents from different sources. Missing even one item can delay your application by weeks or get it rejected entirely.

This definitive checklist covers everything you need — organized by when you need it.

Phase 1: University Application Documents

These are the documents you need to submit when applying to Chinese universities:

Essential for All Applicants

#	Document	Notes
1	Valid Passport	At least 6 months validity; photocopy of bio page
2	Passport Photos	6–10 copies, 48×33mm, white background, taken within last 6 months
3	Highest Degree Certificate	Original or notarized copy; must be translated into English or Chinese
4	Academic Transcripts	From your current/most recent institution; notarized and translated
5	Personal Statement / Study Plan	800–1,500 words explaining your goals. Read our Study Plan guide
6	Language Proficiency	IELTS 6.0+ / TOEFL 80+ for English programs; HSK 4+ for Chinese programs
7	Non-Criminal Record Certificate	From your local police, dated within 6 months

Additional for Graduate Programs (Master's/PhD)

#	Document	Notes
8	Two Recommendation Letters	From professors or academic supervisors who know your work
9	Research Proposal	For PhD applicants; 1,000–3,000 words with methodology
10	Pre-Acceptance Letter	From your target supervisor (not always required but strongly recommended)
11	Publications List	If you have any published papers or conference presentations

Additional for Medical Programs (MBBS)

#	Document	Notes
12	High School Diploma	Notarized and translated
13	Science Subject Scores	Biology, Chemistry, Physics from high school
14	Medical Fitness Certificate	Confirming you can handle clinical studies

Phase 2: Scholarship Application Documents (CSC & Others)

If applying for the CSC Scholarship or other funded programs, you need additional documents:

#	Document	Notes
15	CSC Application Form	Completed online at campuschina.org; printed with signature
16	Foreigner Physical Examination Form	Completed by an authorized medical facility; includes blood tests, chest X-ray, ECG
17	Study Plan in China	More detailed than the university personal statement
18	Financial Guarantee	Bank statements or sponsor letter (for some scholarship types)

Important: The CSC application requires both the CSC online form AND many universities' separate application forms. You may need to submit documents to two different portals.

Phase 3: Visa Application Documents

After receiving your admission offer, you will need these for your visa:

#	Document	Notes
19	Admission Notice (录取通知书)	Original from your university
20	JW201 or JW202 Form	JW201 for scholarship students; JW202 for self-funded
21	COVA Application Form	Completed online at cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn
22	Physical Examination Form	Same as scholarship requirement (if not already submitted)
23	Proof of Accommodation	Dorm assignment letter or hotel booking

Read our complete Student Visa Guide for the full visa process.

Phase 4: Documents to Bring to China

Pack these in your carry-on bag (never in checked luggage):

#	Document	Purpose
24	Passport with Visa	Your most important document
25	Admission Notice (original)	Needed for university registration
26	JW Form (original)	Needed for residence permit
27	Physical Exam Results (original)	May need re-examination in China, but bring originals
28	10+ Passport Photos	You will use them constantly in China — registration, bank accounts, residence permit
29	Academic Certificates (originals)	University may ask to verify originals during registration
30	Cash	¥2,000–3,000 for initial expenses before mobile payments are set up
31	Proof of Insurance	If required by your program

Document Preparation Tips

Translation & Notarization

Most documents must be translated into English or Chinese by a certified translator
Some countries require documents to be notarized by a public notary and then apostilled or authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Start this process early — notarization and authentication can take 2–4 weeks in some countries

Digital Copies

Scan everything and save to cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud, etc.)
Keep scans organized in folders: "Application," "Visa," "Originals"
Many Chinese universities now accept digital submissions first, with originals checked at registration

Photo Requirements

Standard size: 48mm × 33mm (slightly larger than US passport photos)
White background, no glasses, no hat, front-facing
Get 20+ copies — you will use them for university registration, bank accounts, residence permits, dorm registration, and more

Country-Specific Requirements

Some countries have additional requirements:

Country	Additional Requirement
🇮🇳 India	NMC eligibility letter for MBBS; PMC may require additional attestation
🇵🇰 Pakistan	HEC degree attestation for transcripts
🇳🇬 Nigeria	WAEC/NECO results for undergraduate applications
🇧🇩 Bangladesh	Ministry of Education attestation
🇬🇭 Ghana	WAEC results; authentication by Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Timeline: When to Prepare Each Document

Timeline	Documents to Prepare
6–8 months before	Passport renewal (if needed), language test prep
4–6 months before	Transcripts, degree certificates, translations, notarizations
3–4 months before	Recommendation letters, study plan, CSC application
2–3 months before	Physical examination, non-criminal record
1–2 months before	Visa application documents
2 weeks before	Final document check, photo copies, digital backups

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