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China Student Work Rights 2026

International students in China may work part-time during their studies if they follow visa, permit, and university approval rules. After graduation, they can apply for a work visa if they find employment in China.

International students on an X1 or X2 visa may be eligible to work part-time during the academic semester, and they must have the work approved by their institution and follow local regulations. A work permit is required before starting any form of employment.

During official university holidays, students are allowed to work full-time. The published work rights do not remove the need for approval and permit steps.

After completing their studies, students can apply for a work visa if they find employment in China. The post-study transition typically allows up to 60 days to switch from a student to a work visa or to leave the country.

China has 398 universities listed here, including Peking University, Fudan University, Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Sun Yat-Sen University. Student cities named include Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou.

Universities in China

PK Peking University logo

Peking University

Beijing, China · Public University

★ 71 QS World #14 Admissions open
Tuition (indicative)
CNY 27,500 – CNY 37,500/yr
Founded
1898
FU Fudan University logo

Fudan University

Shanghai, China · Public University

★ 70 QS World #39 Admissions open
Tuition (indicative)
CNY 27,500 – CNY 37,500/yr
Founded
1905
TS Tsinghua University logo

Tsinghua University

Beijing, China · Public University

★ 67 QS World #20 Admissions open
Tuition (indicative)
CNY 30,500 – CNY 41,500/yr
Founded
1911
ZJ Zhejiang University logo

Zhejiang University

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China · Public University

★ 67 QS World #47 Admissions open
Tuition (indicative)
CNY 24,500 – CNY 33,000/yr
Founded
1897
SJ Shanghai Jiao Tong University logo

Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Shanghai, China · Public University

★ 66 QS World #45 Admissions open
Tuition (indicative)
CNY 27,500 – CNY 37,500/yr
Founded
1896
SY Sun Yat-Sen University logo

Sun Yat-Sen University

China · Public University

★ 27 Admissions open
Tuition (indicative)
Founded

All universities in China →

Questions about working & jobs in China

Can international students work while studying in China?

Yes. International students in China may be eligible to work part-time during their studies on an X1 or X2 visa, with institution approval and a work permit.

Can students work full-time during university holidays?

Yes. During official university holidays, students are allowed to work full-time.

What happens after graduation?

After completing their studies, international students can apply for a work visa if they find employment in China. The transition period typically allows up to 60 days to switch from a student to a work visa or leave the country.

Student cities in China

Each one has its own guide to life, costs and working.

More on China: destination overview · universities · scholarships · student visa

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