Trip Preparation
An internship abroad requires a certain capacity for adaptation, but above all thorough preparation!
An internship abroad requires a certain capacity for adaptation, but above all thorough preparation! Between internship paperwork and documents needed to obtain a Visa, it's the beginning of a true administrative obstacle course!
We reached the end of February, courses in Mulhouse were over, and we were back in our respective regions awaiting the big departure. Time was running short and we had to undertake all the necessary steps to leave under the best conditions. After being required to take out civil liability insurance, we were able to return the internship agreement signed by both parties. Since the internship was poorly paid (far from the 30% of minimum wage as can be the case in France), it was also in our interest to apply for grants from various educational and regional organizations.
After extensive research and estimates, 2 grants stood out as particularly interesting:
The International Mobility Grant, reserved for CROUS scholarship students.
The Boussole Grant, offered by the Alsace region for students going abroad.
These 2 grants are cumulative and will help cover part of the expenses to advance for our arrival in Guangzhou.
Now, on to administrative documents for our departure to unknown lands.
A Visa for China
Entry to Chinese territory of course requires obtaining a Visa, and China is particularly strict on this point. We initially opted for a business visa of type F in order to cross the border properly. However, this turned out to be rather difficult to obtain due to lengthy procedures and sometimes endless waiting times. We then turned to the tourist visa of type L, double entry, valid 3 months each, sufficient therefore for our stay which was to last 5 months. To remain for such a period, we simply needed to leave Chinese territory after 3 months (by going to Hong Kong for example, which is an independent region of China), then re-enter Chinese territory for the remaining 3 months.
This Visa requires gathering:
A valid passport (valid for at least 6 months after the visa expiry date)
Health/repatriation insurance certificate
A bank account statement
Plane tickets or round-trip reservation
An invitation from a friend in China or a family member residing in China
A photocopy of your Chinese friend's ID card or foreign friend's work permit in China
A hotel reservation or apartment lease (optional)
The form from the Chinese embassy with an identity photo in 4.5×3.5cm format
As we said, the Chinese don't cut corners when it comes to entry conditions... ;-)
Regarding the invitation and ID card of our "Chinese friend", we quickly obtained them from our internship supervisor. As for plane tickets, extensive research was necessary to decide on dates, which, to be honest, were greatly influenced by prices. Ultimately, we opted for the Russian airline Aeroflot, departing on February 28 and returning on July 30, giving us 4 good months for the internship and the entire month of July dedicated to discovering the country!
Everything was finally in place to make our Visa application, and each step brought us closer to departure day.
Since the Chinese embassies located in Paris, Strasbourg and Lyon do not accept postal applications, we turned to one of the many agencies that serve as intermediaries for visa-related procedures: Visa Express. As its name suggests, their handling of applications was very swift, and 10 days later we had the precious document in hand.
Luggage Preparation
Despite the length of the stay, we took care to pack only the bare essentials in order to avoid overloading our suitcases and to be able to take advantage of our purchasing power in China. Indeed, Chinese prices are significantly lower than ours, so why not make the most of it?
As a precaution, we also made photocopies of all our important documents (passport, ID card, Visa, prescriptions, etc.) to avoid any problems once we arrived.
February was therefore far from restful. The race against time was over and we had won it! Now nothing can stop us from leaving.
On to China!
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NB: To learn about all procedures related to obtaining a Visa, feel free to consult the dedicated page: Visa for China.
Frequently asked questions
For a 5-month internship in China, a type L tourist visa with double entry (valid for 3 months per entry) is a practical option. Simply leave Chinese territory after 3 months — for example by traveling to Hong Kong, an independent administrative region — then re-enter China for the remaining 3 months. The type F business visa is more legally appropriate but more difficult to obtain.
To apply for a type L tourist visa for China, you must provide: a valid passport (valid for at least 6 months after the visa expires), a health and repatriation insurance certificate, a bank statement, your plane tickets or round-trip reservation, an invitation from a friend or family member residing in China, a photocopy of their ID card or work permit, the Chinese embassy form with an identity photo in 4.5 × 3.5 cm format, and optionally a hotel reservation or apartment lease.
No, the Chinese embassies in Paris, Strasbourg and Lyon do not accept visa applications by mail. You can submit your file directly to an embassy or use a specialized intermediary agency such as Visa Express, which handles the procedures and can obtain the visa in approximately 10 days.
Several grants are available to students doing internships in China. The International Mobility Grant is reserved for CROUS scholarship students. The Boussole Grant is offered by the Alsace region for students going abroad. These 2 grants are cumulative and can help cover expenses related to departure and the first months on site.
It is advisable to travel with the bare essentials, even for a long stay. Since prices in China are significantly lower than those in France, it is advantageous to take advantage of your purchasing power there to buy clothing and everyday products. However, remember to bring photocopies of all your important documents (passport, visa, ID card, prescriptions) as a precaution.
