Internships and teaching practice during a degree in China
Yes, you can take part in a teaching internship that forms part of your programme. A higher education institution shall, according to its teaching plan, organize international students to participate in teaching internships and social practice, and the choice of location shall comply with relevant national provisions (Order No. 42, Article 20). An off-campus internship outside that plan is allowed only under a separate residence-permit condition (Regulations, Article 22).
Order No. 42 and the Quality Standards are Chinese texts; the English wording in this article is this site's translation of those Chinese texts.
Teaching internships and social practice in the programme
A higher education institution shall, according to the teaching plan, organize international students to participate in teaching internships and social practice (Order No. 42, Article 20). The choice of internship and practice location shall comply with relevant national provisions (Order No. 42, Article 20).
The practical teaching standard
The practical teaching of international students in China shall, while meeting professional requirements, be combined with those students' career planning and meet the needs of cultivating internationalized talent (Quality Standards, section 6.3).
Off-campus internship on a study residence permit
Where a foreigner holding a residence permit for study intends to engage in an off-campus internship, he or she shall, upon the approval of the school, apply to the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ to have the location and duration of the internship placement specified in the residence permit (Regulations, Article 22).
A foreigner holding a study residence permit shall not engage in any off-campus internship unless that information is specified in the residence permit (Regulations, Article 22).
Internship visa for students from overseas universities
For foreign students studying in overseas colleges and universities who are invited by well-known Chinese enterprises and public institutions for internships in China, the applicant may apply for visas valid for 1 year at the exit and entry administration authorities of the relevant public security organs, by providing the invitation letters of the entities providing the internship and proof of study at the relevant universities (Service Guide on residence permits for foreigners, section g).
Foreign students entering China for internship in accordance with inter-governmental agreements may apply for residence permits at the exit and entry departments of the relevant public security organs according to relevant provisions (Service Guide on residence permits for foreigners, section g).
Work-study and the bar on employment
International students may participate in work-study activities during their study at a higher education institution, but must not take up employment, engage in business, or conduct other commercial activities (Order No. 42, Article 30).
The specific administrative provisions for international student work-study shall be separately formulated by the administrative department of education under the State Council together with relevant departments (Order No. 42, Article 30).
Questions people ask
Can I take an off-campus internship without changing my residence permit?
No. A foreigner holding a study residence permit shall not engage in any off-campus internship unless the location and duration are specified in the residence permit, with the school's approval and the endorsement of the exit and entry administration authority (Regulations, Article 22).
May I work a regular job while studying?
No. International students must not take up employment, engage in business, or conduct other commercial activities during their study at a higher education institution (Order No. 42, Article 30).
Sources
- Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students (Order No. 42) — Ministry of Education of the PRC
- Quality Standards for the Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial) — Ministry of Education of the PRC
- Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners — National Immigration Administration
- National Immigration Administration — Service Guide on residence permits for foreigners — National Immigration Administration
Checked 11 October 2026.
This page is an unofficial summary, is not published by or affiliated with the Ministry of Education, the China Scholarship Council or any university, is not legal advice, and the official text and the current notice of the university or authority handling your case prevail if they differ.