Who Is This Procedure For?

This procedure applies to foreign experts invited to China by USTC to engage in activities such as management, technical work, research, teaching, professional guidance, or consulting, with a stay in China of no more than 90 days (inclusive).

Such visits are considered visits, exchanges, or study visits. Foreign experts under this category should apply for an F Visa (Visit Visa) for a stay of no more than 90 days (inclusive).

Application Process

Important: The application must be initiated by a current USTC faculty or staff member serving as the on-campus inviter.

1. Submit the Visit Registration through the USTC Foreign Affairs Management Service System

Applicable to: Experts visiting from overseas, as well as experts visiting from Hong Kong and Macao.

The on-campus inviter should:

1. Log in to the Foreign Affairs Management Service System (https://abroad.ustc.edu.cn/).
2. Log in through USTC’s unified identity authentication.
3. Click “I Want to Invite” (我要邀请) and complete the required registration information according to the system instructions.
4. Submit the application for review by the relevant school/college or laboratory.
5. After internal approval, the application will be submitted to the Office of International Cooperation for registration.

2. Submit the Visit Registration through the CAS ARP System

Applicable to: Experts visiting from Taiwan, or experts holding a Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents (Taiwan Compatriot Permit).

The on-campus inviter should:

1. Log in to the Chinese Academy of Sciences ARP System.
2. Log in using the USTC on-campus email authentication. For first-time users, the password can be set through “Forgot Password.”
3. Click “Log in to the New Generation ARP System” → “International Cooperation” → “Visiting and Exchange” → “Invited Visit/Follow-up Visit by Taiwan Scholars.”
4. Complete the required registration information according to the system instructions.
5. Submit the application for review by the relevant school/college or laboratory.
6. After internal approval, the application will be submitted to the Office of International Cooperation for registration.

3. Issue the Invitation Letter and Apply for the F Visa

After the visit has been registered through the relevant USTC system, the on-campus inviter may issue an invitation letter to the foreign expert.

The invitation letter should include:

• The inviter’s signature; and
• The official seal of the relevant school/college.

The specific requirements for the invitation letter shall be subject to the requirements published by the relevant Chinese embassy or consulate.

If the application submitted through the system requires a Letter of Invitation from an Authorized Unit (TE Letter), please first confirm with the foreign expert the relevant information, including the location where the visa application will be submitted/collected.

The on-campus inviter should then contact the Office of International Cooperation to complete the explanatory letter for the TE Letter.

Please note: Processing a TE Letter requires at least 15 working days.

The foreign expert should apply for an F Visa at the relevant Chinese embassy or consulate abroad by submitting the invitation letter, a valid passport, a compliant photograph, and any other documents required by the embassy or consulate.

Important Reminder

Foreign experts visiting USTC who:

• hold a foreign passport;
• hold a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents;
• hold a Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents (Taiwan Compatriot Permit); or
• are employed by an organization outside mainland China,

must complete the relevant visit registration through one of the two systems described above.

Contact

Office of International Cooperation, USTC

Contact: Chen Chenwei
Tel: 86-551-63600500
Email: expert@ustc.edu.cn