Landed in China? You have exactly 30 days to convert your X1 visa to a Residence Permit. Here is the complete 2026 arrival in China checklist for Moroccan students to avoid fines, stay legal, and settle in smoothly.
Key Takeaways (Read in 30 seconds)
- The 30-Day Clock: Your X1 Visa is valid for only 30 days after entry. You must convert it to a Residence Permit within this window.
- The 24-Hour Rule: You must register with the local police within 24 hours of landing (hotels do this automatically; rented apartments do not).
- Medical Check Myth: The medical exam you did in Morocco was for the visa application; you will likely need to do a new, verified check-up in China.
- Order of Operations: SIM Card -> Police Registration -> University Registration -> Medical Check -> Residence Permit.
The “Golden Hour” of Your Study Abroad Journey
You have said your goodbyes at Casablanca airport, survived the long flight, and finally stepped off the plane in Beijing, Shanghai, or Wuhan. Congratulations! You have achieved what thousands of students dream of.
But here is the reality check: The hard work isn’t over yet.
The first 30 days in China are critical. This period is a bureaucratic sprint where missing a single document or deadline can result in fines (up to 500 RMB per day) or, in extreme cases, deportation. Your “X1 Visa” is not a permit to stay; it is merely an entry ticket valid for 30 days.
This guide is designed to lower your anxiety and give you a clear, neuro-friendly roadmap. We will move from Survival (Legal Safety) to Stability (Logistics) to Success (Lifestyle).
The First 24 Hours (The “Legal Safety” Phase)
1. Police Registration (Accommodation Registration)
This is the single most important step upon arrival. Chinese law requires all foreigners to register their temporary residence within 24 hours of landing.
- If you are staying in a Hotel or University Dorm: The reception desk will scan your passport and handle this for you. Ask them for the “Registration Form of Temporary Residence” (a small slip of paper or a digital printout). Keep this safe; you cannot get your residence permit without it.
- If you are staying in an Airbnb or private apartment: You must go to the local police station (Paichusuo – 派出所) yourself with your landlord and your passport.
Do not panic! The police are accustomed to international students. This is a standard administrative procedure, not an interrogation.
2. Get Connected Immediately
You cannot survive in China without a phone number. Everything; from Alipay to your Residence Permit application, requires a Chinese mobile number for verification codes (SMS).
- Airport vs. City: You can buy a SIM card at the airport (China Mobile or China Unicom), but plans are often more expensive. If you have someone picking you up, wait to buy one in the city.
- Documents Needed: Your Passport.
- Next Step: Once you have a number, set up your VPNs and banking apps immediately.
Start Your Journey to Study in China
We guide you step by step to choose the right university and build a strong application.
The First Week (The “Logistics” Phase)
3. University Registration & Tuition Payment
Head to the International Students Office (ISO) at your university. This is where you officially become a student.
- Hand over documents: Admission Letter, JW201/JW202 form, and Passport.
- Pay Fees: You will need to pay tuition and dorm fees. If you haven’t opened a Chinese bank account yet, most universities accept UnionPay cards or cash (RMB).
- Get the Letter: The university will give you an official letter of introduction required for the Physical Examination and the Residence Permit.
4. The Medical Check-Up (Yes, Again)
“But I already did a medical check in Morocco!”
This is the most common confusion we see. The check-up you did in Morocco was to satisfy the General Requirements to Study in China for your visa application. The check-up in China is to apply for the Residence Permit.
- Where: The local International Travel Health Care Center (your university will give you the specific address).
- Cost: Usually around 400–600 RMB.
- Process: Blood test, X-ray, ECG, ultrasound. It is fast but crowded.
- Timeline: Results usually take 3–5 working days. You cannot apply for your visa extension without this “Health Certificate” booklet.
Days 10–25 (The “Permit” Phase)
5. Convert X1 Visa to Residence Permit
This is the “Boss Fight” of your arrival process. You must submit your application to the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau (Public Security Bureau) before your 30-day X1 visa expires.
The Checklist:
- Valid Passport.
- Admission Letter & JW202 Form (Originals).
- Health Certificate (from the Chinese medical center).
- Registration Form of Temporary Residence (from police/dorm).
- University Application Letter (from ISO).
- Passport-sized photos (taken at the Bureau to ensure specific formatting).
- Application Fee (usually 400–800 RMB per year).
The Process:
You will go to the Bureau, take a number, submit your documents, and—crucially—leave your passport there. They will give you a “Receipt” (a yellow or white paper) with your photo on it.
Important: This receipt acts as your temporary ID and passport while yours is being processed. Do not lose it. The processing takes 2 to 3 weeks.
The Great Wall Advantage: Never Do This Alone
Does the list above feel overwhelming? It doesn’t have to be.
At Great Wall Education, we know that the first 24 hours define your entire experience. That is why we offer a comprehensive “Landing Package” exclusively for our students. We don’t just send you an acceptance letter; we are there when you land.
- Airport Pickup: No haggling with taxi drivers. Our team meets you at the arrivals gate with a sign bearing your name.
- Dorm Check-in: We drive you directly to the university and handle the dormitory check-in process, ensuring you have a warm bed immediately.
- Guided Registration: You won’t face the administration alone. We physically accompany you to the university registration office to ensure your paperwork is filed correctly.
[Contact Us to secure your Landing Package]
Days 30–90 (The “Settling In” Phase)
Once you pick up your passport with the new Residence Permit inside, you are officially a resident of China. You can now enter and exit the country freely.
6. Finalize Your Accommodation
If you decided to stay in a dorm initially but want to move out, now is the time. Remember, if you move to a new apartment, you must redo the Police Registration within 24 hours of moving.
7. Locate Your Comfort Zones
Now that the stress is gone, focus on your well-being.
- Food: Locate the nearest “Lanzhou Lamian” (Hand-pulled noodle) shop. They are ubiquitous, delicious, and Halal.
- Community: Connect with the Moroccan student union in your city.
- Read More: Halal Food & Mosque Access: Being Muslim in China (2026 Guide)
Conclusion: You Are Ready
The first month in China is a whirlwind of paperwork, new smells, and language barriers. It is normal to feel overwhelmed. But remember: this bureaucracy is just a system, and thousands of Moroccan students have navigated it successfully before you.
By following this timeline, you ensure that your focus remains on your studies and your adventure, not on legal worries.
Welcome to China.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is risky. During the first 30 days, your priority is the Residence Permit. Once you submit your passport to the Immigration Bureau, you only have a paper receipt. While this receipt is legal ID, some hotels or trains in smaller cities may hesitate to accept it. It is best to stay in your university city until you get your passport back.
If you overstay your X1 visa without applying for the Residence Permit, you will be fined 500 RMB (approx. 700 MAD) per day, up to a maximum of 10,000 RMB. In severe cases, you may be detained or deported.
Rarely. Most Chinese cities require the medical check to be performed at their specific local International Travel Health Care Center to ensure the results meet their standards. It is safer to budget for the new test (approx. 500 RMB).
We recommend bringing at least 3,000–5,000 RMB (converted in Morocco or withdrawn at the airport ATM). You will need cash for the taxi, SIM card, medical check, and initial food expenses before your WeChat/Alipay is fully linked to a bank card.
References & Official Sources
- National Immigration Administration of the PRC: https://en.nia.gov.cn/
(The official source for Entry & Exit laws and visa policy updates)
- Campus China (CSC): https://www.campuschina.org/
(The official Ministry of Education portal for scholarship and university information)
- Great Wall Education Student Success Database (2025-2026)
(Based on real successful student case studies)