1. Study in the Institute of Higher Learning

The member of the consular post and the accompanying family member may study in the institutes of higher learning. Before starting their study, however, they must apply for approval with a note of the consular post to the Foreign Affairs Office, obtain the letter of admission from relevant institute, and declare waiver of their privileges and immunities during the period of study and commitments to follow the rules and regulations of the institutes. With the note of approval from the Foreign Affairs Office, they should return their Consular Identity Cards or Service Identity Cards to the Foreign Affairs Office and have their diplomatic or service visas cancelled there. At the same time, they should apply for the study (X) visas and residence registration to the local Public Security Bureau with their ordinary passports and the note of approval from the Foreign Affairs Office. With the completion of the above mentioned formalities, they may go through the procedures of enrollment at the relevant institute.

If the aforesaid people plan to learn the Chinese language on a short-term basis (within 6 months) in an institute of higher learning, they should present a note of the consular post to declare waiver of their privileges and immunities during the period of learning. As such, they do not have to change their passports, visas and identity cards.

2. Resumption of Consular Status

If the member of the consular post and the accompanying family members wish to resume their consular status upon completing or discontinuing the study, the consular post should inform, in a note, the Foreign Affairs Office of their passport information (diplomatic or service) and positions in the consular post and ensure the termination of their study. Together with the note, the consular post should also present the certificate of graduation, completion or termination issued by the institute. The Public Security Bureau will then cancel their study visas while the Foreign Affairs Office will renew their visas, identity cards and residence registration as appropriate. 

3. School Education for Accompanying Children

Many kindergartens, primary and high schools offer school education to foreign children. Some of them are public while others are private. Detailed information is available at the Foreign Affairs Office or the education department.

The accompanying children of the member of the consular post do not have to change their visas and identity cards while studying in the primary and high schools.

Editor: Wing