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Changing university or major after you arrive in China: what Order No. 42 allows

Unofficial summary · Sources checked

You may transfer to another school or change your major after you arrive in China, but only under the conditions set in Order No. 42. A transfer between schools requires the original enrolling school's consent (Article 13); a change of major requires your application and the school's agreement (Article 17). Order No. 42 Articles 13 and 17 do not state whether a new residence permit is required in either case. (The English wording of Order No. 42 used here is this site's translation of the Chinese text.)

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Transferring between schools (Order No. 42 Article 13)

Order No. 42 Article 13: a higher education institution may, with the consent of the original enrolling school, accept an international student who was admitted by another school or who transfers from another school. The original school's consent is required; Article 13 states no other condition.

Changing your major (Order No. 42 Article 17)

Order No. 42 Article 17: after enrollment, an international student may change major upon the student's own application and the school's agreement. The conditions and procedures for a change of major are set by the school.

The school's reporting duty (Regulations Article 26)

Regulations Article 26: the entity that admits a foreign student shall, in a timely manner, report to the exit/entry administration authority of the public security organ when certain circumstances arise. Item (2) names these cases: the foreign student admitted has graduated, completed his or her course(s) or study, has quit school, or has left the school ungraduated. Regulations Article 26, item (2) does not name a transfer between schools or a change of major among the circumstances the school must report.

Residence permit and the 10-day rule (Exit and Entry Administration Law Article 33)

Exit and Entry Administration Law Article 33 lists the registered items of a foreign residence permit: name, sex, date of birth, reason for residence and duration of residence of the holder, date and place of issuance, passport number or other international travel document number. Where a registered item has changed, the holder shall, within 10 days from the date of change, apply to the exit/entry administration of the public security organ for the alteration formalities. Exit and Entry Administration Law Article 33 does not list a change of school or major among the registered items that trigger the 10-day alteration duty.

What the texts do not decide

Order No. 42 Article 13 does not state whether a new residence permit is required after a transfer between schools. Order No. 42 Article 17 does not state whether a new residence permit is required after a change of major. Residence permit applications and alterations are made to the exit/entry administration authority of the public security organ (Exit and Entry Administration Law Article 33; Regulations Article 16). That authority decides on the application. For a transfer or a change of major, ask the exit/entry administration handling your residence permit.

Questions people ask

Can I transfer to another university in China?

Yes, under Order No. 42 Article 13: a higher education institution may, with the consent of the original enrolling school, accept an international student who transfers from another school. The original school's consent is required.

Can I change my major after enrollment?

Yes, under Order No. 42 Article 17: after enrollment, an international student may change major upon the student's application and the school's agreement; the school sets the conditions and procedures.

Does my school have to report a transfer or a major change?

Regulations Article 26, item (2) names the reporting cases the school must report — graduated, completed course(s) or study, quit school, or left school ungraduated. It does not name a transfer between schools or a change of major.

Will I need a new residence permit?

Order No. 42 Article 13 does not state whether a new residence permit is required after a transfer, and Article 17 does not state whether one is required after a change of major. Residence permit applications and alterations go to the exit/entry administration authority, which decides. Ask that authority about your case.

Sources

Checked 11 October 2026.

This page is an unofficial summary, is not legal or immigration advice, is not published by the bodies named, and the official text and the instructions of the body handling your application prevail if they differ.

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