According to the "2019 Guidelines for the Joint Enrollment of Overseas Chinese Students from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan in Ordinary Higher Education Institutions of the People's Republic of China", registration for the 2019 Overseas Chinese Student Joint Examination opened on March 1. The online registration period is from March 1 to March 15, and the on-site confirmation period is from March 16 to March 31.
This year, 20 new undergraduate institutions have been added to the Overseas Chinese Student Joint Examination, bringing the total number of undergraduate institutions to 336 and preparatory institutions to 16. The increase in available schools is certainly good news.
This shortcut to the Chinese college entrance examination has long been underutilized, allowing students to enroll as long as they meet the basic admission score. For Chinese candidates, it represents an alternative pathway to the college entrance examination.
The Overseas Chinese Student Joint Examination is aimed at overseas students worldwide, and children of Chinese immigrants have a significant advantage in language proficiency. The high admission rates in previous years have made the Overseas Chinese Student Joint Examination particularly favored by parents in China.
The minimum control score for admission to the 2018 Overseas Chinese Student Joint Examination was:
First batch of undergraduate institutions: 400 points
Second batch of ordinary institutions: 200 points
Art institutions: 200 points
Sports institutions: 200 points
The admission score for the Overseas Chinese Student Joint Examination is significantly lower than that of the ordinary college entrance examination in China, covering most well-known universities in the country. Additionally, the liberal arts do not require a political exam, and the sciences do not require a biology exam, reducing the academic pressure on students and allowing them to focus more on their strengths and areas of interest.
With the increasing attention of many high-net-worth families on their children's education, the number of candidates for the Overseas Chinese Student Joint Examination has surged. Starting in 2019, the Ministry of Education has made significant adjustments to the eligibility criteria for overseas Chinese students, such as requiring that at least one parent of the candidate must have overseas Chinese status, with more detailed residency requirements.
Key changes to the eligibility for the 2019 Overseas Chinese Student Joint Examination:
1. Both the candidate and one parent must have long-term or permanent residency in the host country and have resided there continuously for 2 years, with a total of no less than 18 months of residence within those 2 years. The candidate must have resided in the host country for no less than 18 months within the 2 years prior to registration.
2. If the candidate or one parent has not obtained long-term or permanent residency in the host country but has held legal residency for 5 years or more (including 5 years) and has resided in the host country for no less than 30 months within those 5 years, and the candidate has resided in the host country for no less than 30 months within the 5 years prior to registration, they may also register.
The continuous improvement of policies regarding the Overseas Chinese Student Joint Examination has reduced opportunities for exploitation and loopholes, while the true advantages of being an overseas Chinese student will become more pronounced. Therefore, to allow children to participate in the joint examination as "overseas Chinese students", it is necessary to not only obtain permanent residency for the family but also to meet certain residency durations.
Education immigration should be pursued early rather than late; otherwise, during the hesitation period, the originally favorable policies may gradually tighten, making what was once a simple and convenient shortcut more convoluted.