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Studying in China from Kazakhstan: Admission, Scholarships, the X1 Visa and Degree Recognition

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StudyU editorial team

Kazakh citizens apply to Chinese universities under the same rules as other international students: a school-leaving certificate (the UNT certificate is not on mandatory lists), a CSCA score for bachelor's programmes and a language certificate, either HSK for Chinese-taught or IELTS for English-taught study. The Kazakhstan–China visa waiver allows stays of up to 30 days and does not cover study, so you need an X1 visa from a Chinese visa application centre in Astana or Almaty. Since 7 November 2023, Kazakh documents are accepted with a Kazakh apostille and no consular legalisation. After graduation, a Chinese degree is recognised by Kazakhstan's National Center for Higher Education Development through eGov or a public service centre (TsON).

This guide explains what differs for Kazakh applicants, which scholarships are open to them, what specific universities cost and how to plan the year before departure. For the education system in general, see study in China; for other destinations, see our guide to studying abroad from Kazakhstan.

Pale border-crossing building with red Chinese lettering and arched windows
The Khorgos border crossing between China and Kazakhstan. Photo: Akira CA / source, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Key points for Kazakh citizens

Question How it works Who decides
Can I study on the visa waiver? No. The mutual visa-exemption agreement (in force since 10.11.2023) allows up to 30 days per entry and 90 days in any 180 for tourism, private and business trips, medical treatment and transit; study is not a listed purpose Chinese Embassy and Consulate General
Where do I get a student visa? Chinese Visa Application Centre in Astana (18 Dostyk Street) or Almaty (20 Gogol Street) Consular officers of the Embassy or Consulate General
Do documents need legalisation? No; since 07.11.2023 a Kazakh apostille is enough, though the Chinese institution decides whether to accept the document Kazakh competent authorities and the university
Is the UNT required? Not on Chinese universities' mandatory lists; strong results can be attached as extra evidence University
Which tests are needed? CSCA for bachelor's; HSK 4–5 or IELTS depending on programme language CSC and university
How is the degree recognised at home? Through the National Center for Higher Education Development (eGov or TsON) NCHED, Ministry of Science and Higher Education

Choosing a university: city, language and price

China appeals to Kazakh applicants for two reasons: strong engineering and science universities, and moderate fees in northern and central provinces. The choice usually comes down to language, because most bachelor's programmes are taught in Chinese and English-taught places are fewer and dearer.

University City Bachelor's per year (2026/27 academic year) Notes
Harbin Engineering University Harbin $2,540 (CNY 17,000), Chinese-taught HSK 4, age 18–25, CSCA subjects by major
Northeast Forestry University Harbin Chinese-taught $2,460 (CNY 16,500); English-taught $3,210 (CNY 21,500) 2026 applications closed on 30 June
Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) Harbin Chinese-taught $2,980 (CNY 20,000); English-taught $3,880 (CNY 26,000) HSK 4 at 210+; English cohort needs 20+ students
Heilongjiang University Harbin $2,310 (CNY 15,500) a year, or $1,160 (CNY 7,750) a half-year; current rate, the fee page names no academic year Its two international-student programmes take complete beginners in Chinese
Shenzhen University Shenzhen $3,880–5,970 (CNY 26,000–40,000) HSK 4–5, age 18–25, campus housing is limited

Harbin has long historical ties with Russia: it has taught Russian for decades and works with Russian partners, and its fees are among the lowest of China's large university cities. The south costs more but is closer to technology employers. See our guides to universities in Harbin, universities in Guangzhou and Shenzhen and Chinese universities for international students.

Scholarships open to Kazakh citizens

Few applicants win a full award, so the usual strategy is twofold: compete for a scholarship and apply for a paid place in parallel.

Programme Coverage How to apply
Chinese Government Scholarship, Type A (bilateral) Tuition, housing, monthly stipend, medical insurance Through your country's dispatching authority or the education section of the Chinese Embassy; dates announced each year
Chinese Government Scholarship via universities As Type A, but the university allocates the quota Directly to a participating university
Ministry of Education and Heilongjiang Province scholarship for Eurasian countries Tuition, housing, living costs, comprehensive insurance; bachelor's, master's, doctoral Through the CSC online system with a participating university's agency number; Kazakhstan is one of 13 eligible countries; HSK 4 with 180+ points is required at application
Provincial and city awards For example, the Guangdong Province award of $1,490 (CNY 10,000) for bachelor's students (GDUFS pays it once, Shenzhen University lists it per year) and Shenzhen's $4,480 (CNY 30,000) a year Through the university
University scholarships From partial discounts to full tuition waivers; HIT offers 100%, 50%, 30% or 20% Through the university, often with the admission application

You generally cannot hold two scholarships at once: HIT rejects applicants who apply for both a Chinese Government Scholarship and a university scholarship. Every Chinese Government Scholarship at bachelor's level also requires a CSCA score.

CSCA and language requirements

The CSCA is the China Scholarship Council's test for bachelor's applicants. Everyone sits Mathematics; Professional Chinese is required for Chinese-taught programmes, and Physics or Chemistry for relevant majors. One subject costs $67 (CNY 450), two or more $100 (CNY 700). From Kazakhstan the test is taken at home under remote proctoring on a Windows computer. Upcoming sessions: 14–15 November and 19–20 December 2026, then 23–24 January, 13–14 March, 24–25 April and 26–27 June 2027. In Astana time most sessions start at 11:00, while December and June start at 05:00. Full details are in our CSCA exam guide.

Most universities ask for HSK 4 for technical majors and HSK 5 for humanities; English-taught programmes need IELTS 5.5–6.0 or TOEFL. Without Chinese, start with a language year: $1,040 (CNY 7,000) a semester at Harbin Engineering at 2026/27 rates, $970 (CNY 6,500) a half-year at Heilongjiang University at its current published rate.

Documents from Kazakhstan: apostille and translations

The Hague Apostille Convention has applied between Kazakhstan and mainland China since 7 November 2023. The Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan has stopped consular legalisation and directs applicants to Kazakhstan's competent authorities for an apostille. The Embassy also notes that an apostille confirms the signature and seal but does not oblige a Chinese institution to accept the document, so check the university's formatting rules in advance.

The usual sequence:

  1. Apostille on the original school certificate (for master's, on the diploma and transcript).
  2. Notarised translation of the document together with the apostille into Chinese or English; HIT and Sun Yat-sen University, like most universities, accept materials only in those two languages.
  3. A police certificate issued within the last six months, also translated.
  4. A medical examination on China's Foreigner Physical Examination Form, with photo, stamps and the doctor's signature.
  5. Proof of funds where requested: HIT, for example, required self-funded applicants to show at least $2,980 (CNY 20,000).

Most universities accept scans at application and check originals at registration. School leavers can apply before graduating with a pre-graduation certificate. The full list by level is in our guide to applying to Chinese universities.

The X1 visa and your first 30 days

After admission, the university sends an admission notice and a JW202 form (JW201 for Chinese Government Scholarship holders). You then apply for an X1 visa at the Chinese visa application centre in Astana or Almaty; consular officers decide on the visa and length of stay, while the centre only receives applications and charges a service fee. Within 30 days of arrival, the X1 visa is converted into a residence permit for study at the local exit-entry bureau. See our China student visa guide for fees and appointments.

Timeline for a Kazakh school leaver

When What to do
Grade 10 Choose the teaching language; aim for HSK 4 by spring of the final year or IELTS 5.5–6.0
Final year, September–October Shortlist 4–6 programmes and record CSCA, HSK and age requirements; CSCA registration opens mid-October
November–January CSCA and language test; early scholarship applications
January–May University applications: in 2026 Harbin Engineering accepted waves to 15 May and Shenzhen University to 31 May
May–June Interviews; final school exams, UNT and certificate
July–August Apostille and translation, medical form, police certificate, X1 visa
September Registration and residence permit within 30 days

If you will be under 18 on 1 September, you will need guardianship documents. Rules differ: HIT asks for a notarised guardianship certificate, Harbin Engineering for a guardian in Harbin, and Tsinghua, Sun Yat-sen and GDUFS for a guardian living in China. Our guide to studying in China after 11 years of school covers age rules in detail.

Recognising a Chinese degree in Kazakhstan

Foreign degrees are recognised by the National Center for Higher Education Development under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. You apply through eGov.kz or the State Corporation "Government for Citizens" (TsON), attaching your ID, the diploma and supplement, a notarised translation and proof of payment.

Channel Apostilled document Without apostille (international verification needed)
eGov.kz 15 working days 35 working days
TsON 25 working days 45 working days

Since 30 August 2026, recognition of a higher-education diploma costs 10 MCI (monthly calculation indices) for residents and 15 MCI for non-residents, who can apply only through TsON. Bolashak scholarship holders, among others, do not need recognition. Recognition confirms the qualification but does not grant the right to practise a regulated profession: doctors, for example, go through internship, residency and specialist certification separately.

Common mistakes

  • Travelling to study on the visa waiver. Even a language course longer than 180 days needs an X1 visa; shorter courses need an X2.
  • Translating before the apostille. Apostille the original first, then translate it together with the apostille.
  • Applying only for a scholarship. Full awards are scarce; a parallel paid application at an affordable university protects your year.
  • Applying for two scholarships at the same university, which is grounds for rejection at HIT and elsewhere.
  • Relying on the June CSCA session for a July deadline, which leaves no time for a retake.
  • Ignoring professional licensing. For medicine and other regulated professions, degree recognition is not enough to practise in Kazakhstan.

University and scholarship selection, a CSCA and HSK plan, and document and application support are provided under an agreement with StudyU. Admission is decided by the university, scholarships by the China Scholarship Council, the province or the university, visas by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General, and recognition by the National Center for Higher Education Development.

FAQ

No. The agreement exempts only trips of up to 30 days for tourism, private and business purposes, medical treatment, transport and transit, with a maximum of 90 days in any 180. Study requires a visa: X1 for programmes longer than 180 days and X2 for short courses, issued on the basis of the university's documents through the visa centre in Astana or Almaty.

The UNT is not on Chinese universities' mandatory document lists; they assess your school certificate, transcript, CSCA and language certificate. A strong UNT result can still be attached as supporting evidence where the university allows extra documents. Because final exams and the UNT come at the end of the school year, take the CSCA and your language test before spring.

The main options are the Chinese Government Scholarship (through the dispatching authority, the Chinese Embassy or directly via a university), the Ministry of Education and Heilongjiang Province programme for citizens of 13 Eurasian countries including Kazakhstan, provincial and city awards, and university scholarships. Full awards cover tuition, housing, insurance and a living stipend, and competition is strong.

No. Since 7 November 2023 the Apostille Convention has applied between Kazakhstan and mainland China, and the Chinese Embassy has stopped consular legalisation. Kazakh competent authorities issue the apostille; you then have the document and apostille translated into Chinese or English and the translation notarised.

Fees are the same for all international students. At 2026/27 rates, a Chinese-taught bachelor's in Harbin costs $2,310–2,980 (CNY 15,500–20,000) a year and at Shenzhen University $3,880–5,970 (CNY 26,000–40,000). Add housing, insurance of about $120 (CNY 800) a year and living costs; see our guide to the cost of studying in China.

Apply to the National Center for Higher Education Development through eGov.kz or a TsON office. With an apostilled document, processing takes 15 working days via eGov and 25 via TsON. Since 30.08.2026 the fee for a higher-education diploma is 10 MCI for residents. Recognition does not replace licensing for regulated professions such as medicine.

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