The Foreigner Physical Examination record: at enrolment and for a long residence permit
Three official texts cover medical checks at different points. On enrolment, Article 39 of the Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students (Order No. 42) asks international students to complete the Foreigner Physical Examination Record confirmation or a physical examination. A foreigner applying for a residence permit valid for more than one year must submit a health certificate under the last paragraph of Article 16 of the Regulations on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners (State Council Decree No. 637).
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The Chinese texts quoted below are rendered into English by this site. The English is this site's translation of the Chinese text.
On enrolment: Article 39 of Order No. 42
Article 39 says that international students shall, on enrolment, go to the Chinese health quarantine authority to complete confirmation of the Foreigner Physical Examination Record, or undergo a physical examination, as the rules of the Chinese health administration authority require. If a medical examination confirms a serious mental disorder as defined in the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China, infectious pulmonary tuberculosis, or another infectious disease that may cause major harm to public health, the public security authority handles the case according to law.
Article 39 names no programme type. The health administration rules it refers to are not among the texts used on this page.
Residence permit valid for more than one year
The last paragraph of Article 16 of Decree No. 637 says that a foreigner applying for a residence permit valid for more than 1 year shall, in accordance with relevant provisions, submit a health certificate. The same paragraph says a health certificate is valid for six months beginning from the date of issue.
This is the Regulations on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners. It is a separate text from the Exit and Entry Administration Law.
Sub-section (二) of the National Immigration Administration's service guide on residence permits, headed 申请居留证件所需证明材料 (documents required to apply for a residence permit), says that a foreigner applying for a residence permit valid for more than one year shall submit a health certificate issued by the local health quarantine authority or by a county-level or higher health medical authority. The certificate must show that the applicant has no serious mental disorder, no infectious pulmonary tuberculosis, and no other infectious disease that may cause major harm to public health. Sub-section (二) gives no validity period for the certificate. It does not name the Foreigner Physical Examination Record.
Chinese Government Scholarship applicants
Section VI, item 12 of the Application Guide for Chinese Government Scholarship says that an applicant to study in China for more than six months shall submit a photocopy of the Foreigner Physical Examination Form. The original is printed by Chinese quarantine authorities and is filled in in English by the applicant. The medical examinations must cover all the items listed on the form. Records are invalid if they are incomplete, or if they lack the signature of the attending physician, the official stamp of the hospital, or a sealed photograph of the applicant. Medical examination results are valid for only six months.
Section VI, item 12 does not list the items on the form.
This is a condition of the Chinese Government Scholarship only. It is not a general admission rule for self-funded students.
Side by side
| Provision | Who it covers | When it applies | What it requires | Validity stated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Article 39, Order No. 42 | International students | On enrolment | Confirmation of the Foreigner Physical Examination Record, or a physical examination | Article 39 states no validity period |
| Last paragraph of Article 16, Decree No. 637 | Applicants for a residence permit valid for more than 1 year | When applying | Health certificate | Six months from the date of issue |
| Sub-section (二), National Immigration Administration service guide | Applicants for a residence permit valid for more than one year | When applying | Health certificate from a local health quarantine authority or a county-level or higher health medical authority | Sub-section (二) gives no validity period |
| Section VI, item 12, Chinese Government Scholarship guide | Scholarship applicants studying for more than six months | When applying for the scholarship | Photocopy of the Foreigner Physical Examination Form | Six months |
Sources
- Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students (Order No. 42), Ministry of Education of the PRC
- Regulations on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners (State Council Decree No. 637, English text), National Immigration Administration
- National Immigration Administration service guide on issuing, extending, replacing and reissuing foreigners' residence permits (Chinese), National Immigration Administration
- Application Guide for Chinese Government Scholarship, China Scholarship Council (Campus China)
Checked 11 October 2026.
This page is an unofficial summary. It is not legal or immigration advice, and it is not published by the bodies named. If the official text or the instructions of the body handling your case differ from this page, the official text and those instructions prevail.