Proof of financial support for studying in China: what universities must examine

Yes, proof of financial guarantee is part of a university's entry check. Order No. 42, Article 12 says the university examines the entry qualifications and the proof of financial guarantee of a foreign applicant. Quality Standards section 2.6 says the university must require that proof and must set the standard itself, and the texts give no amount for that standard.

Order No. 42 and the Quality Standards are published in Chinese. The English wording on this page is this site's translation of the Chinese text.

What Article 12 of Order No. 42 says

Article 12 states that universities shall examine the entry qualifications and the proof of financial guarantee of foreign citizens who apply, and shall test or assess them. It also states that admission decisions for international students are made by the university, and that a university must not admit applicants who do not meet the admission conditions.

Article 12 states no amount and no form of proof.

How the university sets the standard (Quality Standards, section 2.6)

Section 2.6 deals with the financial guarantee check. It gives the following rules, each stated separately:

The university sets its financial-guarantee standard on the basis of its tuition and accommodation fees and the general local cost of living.
The standard follows the principle of fully covering the reasonable costs of study, living and international travel for international students.
Where the local education authority gives a guiding standard, the university follows that guiding standard.
The university must require international students applying for admission to provide proof of financial guarantee that meets the standard.
The university must examine that proof on the principle of prudence and due diligence.

Section 2.6 states no amount and no form of proof. It names no tuition, accommodation or living-cost figure.

The Quality Standards are titled as a trial (试行). They are addressed to higher education institutions, so they set out what the university must set, require and do.

What universities must publish about it (section 2.1)

Section 2.1 says that universities must provide admission information that includes, at least, the admission procedures and entry requirements. Among those requirements, the list names the financial-guarantee requirement.

A separate item in the same list covers financial rules and policies, including fee standards, payment methods and refund policies. Section 2.1 does not give any fee figure or refund figure.

What is left to each university

Article 12 leaves the amount and the form of proof unstated. Section 2.6 leaves the standard to each university, except where the local education authority has issued a guiding standard. Section 2.6 gives no guiding figure.

Because the amount is set by the university, the number that applies to you is the one in that university's admission information.

Suggestion, not a requirement: before you collect your papers, find the financial-guarantee requirement in the admission information of the university you are applying to. Section 2.1 says that information must include this requirement.

For more on reading admission material, see how to read an admissions brochure.

Questions people ask

Does the official text give a minimum amount of money I must show?

No. Section 2.6 states no amount. It leaves the standard to each university, and follows the local education authority's guiding standard where one has been given.

Do I have to show proof of funds to apply in China?

Article 12 says the university examines the proof of financial guarantee of foreign applicants. Section 2.6 says the university must require proof that meets its standard from international students applying for admission.

Sources

Checked 11 October 2026

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