Studying in China is very interesting, but you need to prove that you are fit and able to complete your education in China. One of the most critical needs for this is the medical check-up for foreigners. Therefore, this article will guide you through all the needs for the medical check-up about studying in China (Foreigner Physical Examination Form Download & Guidance: Chinese University Application Definitive Sample & Filling Standard).

What is a Medical Check-up for Studying in China?

A medical examination is a physical test designed to prove that international students are fit to study in China. They submit them to the recognized physician to complete, stamp, and certify.

Under What Circumstances Need a Medical Check-up?

All foreigners who come to China to study for longer than 6 months (i.e., those on an X1 visa) are required to undergo a medical check-up either before or after they enter China. You will have to submit the relevant documents confirming that you have passed the medical check-up when you apply for a residence permit in China. (You can download the form from our website by clicking here.)

In some cases, you must pass a medical check-up before you apply for an X1 (study) visa. You will have to submit the completed foreigners’ physical exam record with your visa application. Check with your nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate to find out if this is a requirement.

If you are not required to undergo a medical check-up to apply for a visa, you will need to do it to obtain your residence permit in China. You can either do it in your home country or China. In China, the medical check-up will cost about 100 U.S dollars (may differ depending on the city). Your university should help you with this procedure.

Medical Check-up Items

The medical examination form for the new student examination should be accompanied by the examination person’s photograph (stamped seal), the serological examination report should include Anti-HIV, RPR, TPPA, HbsAg, AntiHCV, ALT/GPT and other items, X-ray examination report and chest tablets.

You will also be checking for the following throughout your medical examination: Influenza, Poliomyelitis, Malaria, Dengue fever, Relapsing fever, Epidemic typhus HIV and AIDS, Hepatitis B, Plague, Cholera, Yellow fever, and other infectious diseases required for disclosure by the State Council. Entry and residence will be denied for those testing positive or showing condition of any of the above in addition to Severe Psychosis, Infectious Tuberculosis disease, and any other physical or mental conditions, deemed to be a threat to China’s health and safety standards.

Requirements for Medical Check-up

Take the form to a public hospital, undergo a medical check-up, and have a doctor complete the form. What requirements should the medical examination form meet? For your medical test to be accepted, it must meet some standards, and international students should pay close attention to this.

l   Stamped by a certified doctor

l   Tests should be performed at a recognized hospital

l   Should not be six months older

l   The language used should be English, or you will need a translation service

l   Attach a personal passport photo to the medical form

l   An original copy of the form is needed

l   Official stamp stamped on top of the passport photo

l   Signed and stamped by issuing doctor (last page)

How to Take the Medical Check-up

1. Download the foreigner physical examination form designed by the Chinese Quarantine Authority. Select an appropriate time to take a physical examination as the result is valid for only 6 months.

2. Print the foreigner physical examination form on the front and back of the same piece of A4 paper. (Do not print it into two pieces of paper)

3. Fill in your personal information on the foreigner physical examination form same as the information on your passport and affix one of your recent passport-sized photos. The name written on the form should not be abbreviated or omitted.

4. Bring the form to a public hospital to complete all the checkups, explain it to the staff, and have the doctors fill in all boxes for you in English only. Let them know that signature of the doctor and date at the end of the form are required, hospital stamps on the applicant’s photo and the end are required as well. The official hospital stamp on your ID photo should be the same as the one stamped on the bottom of the second page.

5. Confirm the pick-up date of the report before you leave the hospital

6. Go and get the report and inspection contents on time. To meet the application requirements, please carefully check the form when you receive the Foreigner Physical Examination Form. Make a necessary correction in the hospital before you leave there if it’s incomplete or has any mistakes. If the physical check-up is done at a private hospital, you should get the certificate notarized.

Notice Before Your Medical Check-up:

l   Very Important! Don’t eat breakfast in the morning before going to see the doctor. It might affect the test results.

l   If you have been put on any medications, discuss it with the doctor before proceeding with the test. They need to understand how that could impact the medical results

l   Go to the center very early in the morning

l   Some hospitals will require an appointment before seeing you

l   You should know the cost before showing up

l   Seek further information from your embassy to know what hospitals are accredited

l   Insist the doctor fills the right medical forms

Common Mistakes that Need to Be Avoided

Although I listed the requirements for a medical check-up in the previous instructions, I still have to highlight some of the things that are prone to error. The most common mistakes easy to be ignored in medical forms are as follows:

1. Some medical examination items listed in the form have not been checked.

2. The date of the medical examination is not indicated at the end of the form.

3. The doctor's signature or suggestion is missing.

4. There is no official seal of the hospital or only the personal seal of the doctor there.

5. The student's ID photo is not stamped with the official seal of the hospital, or the stamp is not the same as the second-page ones.

6. The medical examination form is beyond the validity period of six months.

7. The student's blood type has not been filled in.

8. The student's home address has not been filled in.

These pieces of information are your best guide to doing a medical check-up. Requiring to undergo several medical tests is essential. After all, we all want to have a safe and healthy environment. All being well, your time spent in China will be smooth and proper. Enjoy!