The enrollment figures for the 2025 Joint Entrance Exam for Overseas Chinese Students have just been released! A total of 11,882 candidates from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and overseas were approved for the 2025 exam, including: 9,805 from Hong Kong, 1,289 from Taiwan, 488 from Macau, and 300 overseas Chinese students. Compared to the 14.05 million candidates in this year's national college entrance exam (Gaokao), overseas Chinese students account for less than one-thousandth of the total!
In recent years, the Joint Entrance Exam for Overseas Chinese Students has become known to more parents as a pathway for higher education, with the number of applicants rising annually. In 2024, a total of 10,320 candidates were approved for the exam, an increase of 42.6% compared to 2023. In 2025, the number of approved candidates reached 11,882, a 15.1% increase over 2024. Why is this exam becoming increasingly favored by candidates and parents? Let's take a look with Visas Consulting Group.
Six Major Advantages of the Overseas Chinese Student Status
As a "green channel" to top domestic universities, the Joint Entrance Exam for Overseas Chinese Students has become the preferred choice for high-net-worth families to break through the intense competition in education, thanks to its lower score requirements and higher admission rates.
1. Admission quotas do not occupy domestic Gaokao quotas; over 300 undergraduate universities nationwide recruit overseas Chinese students, including 211 and 985 project universities.
2. Only 5 subjects are tested for both liberal arts and sciences; politics is not tested for liberal arts, and biology is not tested for sciences. The overall difficulty of the exam is relatively low.
3. General universities (majors): 365 points for liberal arts/history, 390 points for science/engineering; Art and Sports universities (majors): 265 points for liberal arts/history, 290 points for science/engineering. Preparatory programs: 345 points for liberal arts/history, 370 points for science/engineering.
4. The number of participants in the Joint Entrance Exam for Overseas Chinese Students is only a few thousand each year, resulting in very low competitive pressure and a wide range of available universities and majors.
5. Candidates can apply for 10 undergraduate university choices, with 6 majors available for each school, and 5 choices for preparatory programs, offering a broad selection.
6. University tuition fees and graduation certificates are the same as those for domestic students, and graduates are eligible to take the civil service examination.
A Comprehensive Guide to Educational Planning
If you want your child to participate in the Joint Entrance Exam for Overseas Chinese Students, status planning is key! So, when is the most appropriate time to start planning your status?
According to policy requirements, candidates must meet the following conditions: The candidate and one of their parents must have obtained long-term or permanent residency in the country of residence and have resided there continuously for 2 years, with a cumulative residence of no less than 18 months within those two years. Specifically, the candidate must have actually resided in the country of residence for no less than 18 months within the 2 years prior to registration. If the candidate or one of their parents has not obtained long-term or permanent residency in the country of residence but has obtained legal residency for 5 consecutive years or more (including 5 years), with a cumulative residence of no less than 30 months within those 5 years, and the candidate has actually resided in the country of residence for no less than 30 months within the 5 years prior to registration, they are also eligible to register for the exam.
Educational planning should be done early rather than late. Parents should plan ahead for their children and achieve status conversion through immigration.
Portugal
Currently, the Portugal Fund Investment Immigration Program allows investors to purchase funds starting from 500,000 Euros to apply for the Portugal Golden Residence status for three generations of the family, with fast approval. As a member of the EU, the Schengen Area, and NATO, holding a Portuguese residence permit allows for travel across 29 Schengen countries. Now is the perfect time to immigrate to Portugal. From now until May 31, 2025, apply for the Portugal Fund Immigration program and enjoy significant discounts! Don't miss this opportunity!
At the same time, the Portugal Cultural and Artistic Donation Program is also highly favored by investors. According to the legislation, applicants only need to invest 200,000 Euros to apply for the Portugal Golden Residence status for three generations of the family, obtaining an EU passport conveniently at a low cost.
Panama
Panama is one of the countries with the most friendly permanent residency policies in the world. Investors only need to purchase property in Panama worth 300,000 USD or more, with a processing cycle of only 30 working days, to easily realize the dream of applying for Panama permanent residency for three generations of the family. The application requirements are simple, with no language, education, or residency requirements, and the approval speed is fast.
Greece
The Greece Property Purchase Immigration Program has loose thresholds with no requirements for education, language, management experience, or residency, and offers multiple advantages such as allowing three generations of the family to go together. By investing in property starting from 250,000 Euros, you can obtain permanent residency in the EU country of Greece in one step.
In addition, interested families can also consider the Cyprus Property Purchase Immigration Program, the Malta Permanent Residence Program, or the Hong Kong Immigration Program. All of these offer multiple returns on a single investment. Not only can you quickly obtain the status of an overseas Chinese student and fulfill your child's dream of easily entering a top domestic university, but the whole family can also enjoy an international lifestyle at any time, which can be described as killing multiple birds with one stone! Plan your status in advance; act early to benefit early, and give your child a chance to overtake on a curve!
For detailed inquiries, please contact Mainland China: 400-138-2929, Hong Kong Customer Service Center: (852) 2802 8798 *Investment involves risks; the above information is for reference only.*