Physical examination and insurance: two enrolment conditions in Order No. 42
Two conditions apply to international students at enrolment under Order No. 42, the Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students. Article 39 covers a health check, and Article 40 requires insurance for every international student. Both articles are in the Chinese text. This site's English is its own translation of that text.
The visa side of the same question is covered on the X1 or X2 page. This article covers only the enrolment conditions in the documents listed below.
Health check at enrolment (Order No. 42, Article 39)
Article 39 says that international students shall, on enrolment, handle confirmation of the Foreigner Physical Examination Record at China's health quarantine authority, or take a physical examination. The handling follows the rules of China's health administration authority.
If the examination confirms a serious mental disorder, infectious pulmonary tuberculosis, or another infectious disease that may cause major harm to public health, the illness being one listed in the Exit and Entry Administration Law, the public security authorities shall handle the case according to law.
Insurance (Order No. 42, Article 40)
Article 40 says that the school operates a full-coverage insurance system for international students. International students must buy insurance in accordance with national provisions and school requirements.
A student who has not bought insurance as required shall be given a time limit to insure. If the student does not insure by that deadline, the school shall not admit the student. For a student who is already studying, the school shall have the student withdraw or shall not register the student.
Article 40 sets no premium amount and names no insurer.
Insurance line in the 2018 Quality Standards (section 15.4)
The Quality Standards for the Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial), issued by Ministry of Education notice 教外〔2018〕50号, are addressed to higher education institutions. Section 15.4 says that a university shall implement the full-coverage insurance system for international students under Order No. 42. It also says the university shall ensure that international students have insurance coverage that meets the prescribed requirements during their studies, and shall provide the necessary help with insurance matters.
Health certificate under the Regulations (a different document)
Article 16 of the Regulations on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners (State Council Decree No. 637) says that a foreigner applying for a residence permit valid for more than one year shall, in accordance with relevant provisions, submit a health certificate. A health certificate is valid for six months from its date of issue. This is a different document from the Foreigner Physical Examination Record in Article 39 of Order No. 42.
Questions
Is the health certificate the same document as the physical examination record?
No. The two provisions name different documents. Article 39 of Order No. 42 names the Foreigner Physical Examination Record. Article 16 of the Regulations on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners (State Council Decree No. 637) names a health certificate.
Sources
- Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students (Order No. 42) — Ministry of Education of the PRC
- Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners (State Council Decree No. 637, English text) — National Immigration Administration
- Quality Standards for the Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial) — Ministry of Education of the PRC
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.