Work & Careers
Can International Students Work in China? Part-Time Jobs & Internships
The rules for part-time work and internships for international students in China, the approval you need and the risks of working illegally.
1 min read · Updated 24 Oct 2026 · Being verified
International students may do on-campus work-study and off-campus internships in China, but only with approval. The rules come from the 2017 regulation on admitting and training international students (Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Public Security, Order No. 42) and from the Exit-Entry Administration Law.
What is allowed
| Activity | Allowed? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| On-campus work-study (勤工助学) | ✅ | Arranged by and under university rules |
| Off-campus internship (实习) | ✅ | University approval and an annotation on your residence permit |
| Freelance or cash jobs (tutoring, modeling, bars) | ❌ | Counts as illegal employment |
How to get an internship approved
- Find an internship with a company willing to issue an internship letter.
- Get university approval. The international office usually issues a consent letter.
- Apply at the Exit-Entry Administration to add an internship annotation to your residence permit. Bring your passport, residence permit, the company letter and the university letter.
- Start only after the annotation is in your permit.
Penalties for illegal work
Under the Exit-Entry Administration Law, illegal employment can bring fines of 5,000–20,000 CNY, detention in serious cases, cancellation of your residence permit and deportation. It can also cost you a scholarship and future visas. It is not worth the risk.
Tips
- Large cities and some free-trade zones run their own pilot schemes. Ask your international office what applies locally.
- Keep copies of every approval letter.
Frequently asked questions
Can I teach English part-time while studying?
Not without proper authorization. Off-campus work without university approval and a residence permit annotation counts as illegal employment, even if it is part-time or paid in cash.
Can X2 visa holders intern?
Internships generally require a student residence permit, which X2 holders do not have. Check with your university.