If you are not going to choose a state-certified study abroad agency to handle matters related to studying abroad, but choose to contact yourself, generally you should start with the following basic steps.

1. It is necessary to preliminarily understand and master the situation of foreign schools. For example, whether the school you want to go to is recognized by the national government or authority, the general situation of the school, and the accurate mailing address. To master these situations, you can introduce them through friends and relatives abroad, or you can inquire at home. At present, there are many intermediaries in China that can provide information inquiry. Of course, you can also query through the internet.

2. After the primary school is selected, you can start writing letters to contact each other. The first contact letter is very important. You should introduce yourself and your study plan to each other. The specific contents include: name, gender, date of birth, mailing address, educational background, major studied, source of funds, time of admission, scores of taking the required entrance examinations or the time of registering for these examinations, whether to apply for scholarships, etc. At the same time, ask the other party for the introduction materials and application forms of related majors. Generally speaking, the application for admission should be sent between 10 and 12 months before the planned admission date. If the applying school is competitive or interested in applying for the scholarship of the other party, the first letter should be sent one year before the admission date at the latest.

3. The first contact letter can be sent directly to the school admissions department. Undergraduate applicants apply directly to the undergraduate admissions office; Those who study postgraduate courses should apply to the University Graduate Admissions Office. Individual countries, such as Britain, have national enrollment institutions, and they must apply to these institutions at the same time as writing letters to universities. Visiting scholars can contact their collaborators or tutors directly.

4. After receiving the applicant's first letter, foreign universities usually reply and send some materials and application forms to the applicant. Applicants should read these materials carefully, and then choose the school they want to enroll in according to their own specific conditions and the admission conditions of the other party. To formally register, you generally need to provide the following documents, fees and photos to the school:

● Fill in a complete application form for admission;

● Education certificate, including graduation certificate and degree certificate, stamped with official seal or notarized by notary department; A copy of the transcript and stamped with the official seal or notarized by the notary department;

● The foreign language translation of the above documents shall be stamped with the official seal of the issuing unit or notarized by the notary department;

● Foreign language proficiency certificate or required foreign language test scores;

● Required entrance examination scores;

● Proof of economic guarantee;

● 2-3 letters of recommendation, which need to be translated into foreign languages if they are in Chinese;

● According to the number of people stipulated by the school, the registration fee will be issued, regardless of whether it is accepted or not.

● Diagnostic certificate;

● A recent photo that meets the visa requirements;

● For applicants majoring in music, painting and photography, attach samples of works (portfolio or tape);

● Abstracts of relevant papers or published articles;

● Other documents required by the school.

5. Problems that should be paid attention to in the process of formal application:

● Don't change your name. Starting from the first letter, don't change the spelling and order of your name every time you contact the outside world. The names and inspection time used in various supporting documents must be consistent;

● The application materials should be sent centrally. Foreign universities have established admission files. The applicant will not be considered until all the materials of the applicant arrive, so that the applicant can prepare the materials as soon as possible and send them at one time;

● Pay attention to the deadline for application. Applicants should carefully read the application instructions of each school and follow the requirements of the school. The deadline for international students to apply for foreign universities is often earlier than that for domestic students;

● It is best to use the Gregorian calendar or the date on the same day as the ID card. Foreign schools attach great importance to the date of birth. People with the same name usually depend on the date of birth.

6. After receiving all the materials of the applicant, the foreign colleges and universities will issue a formal admission notice to the admitted person after examination and decision. After receiving the letter of admission, if the applicant decides to accept, he should write back to show his attitude. If the other party is not his first choice and other institutions have not responded, he should write to express his gratitude and ask when to reply to the other party at the latest. Then I will write to the college I want to go to as soon as possible, stating that I have received the admission notice from another school and asking when I can get their decision.

After the accepted student makes the final decision, he should immediately inform the other party, and write to the school that accepted him and was ready to give up, expressing his gratitude and politely declining.

Take the study abroad exam

In order to study abroad, those who apply to study in English-speaking countries or countries where English is the teaching language at their own expense must have TOEFL and GRE test scores. The former is a necessary condition for studying in the United States, Canada and other countries, while the latter is a necessary condition for applying for continuing to study for a postgraduate degree. Of course, there are many similar qualification exams, such as GMAT and IELTS. Ideal TOEFL and GRE scores are indispensable advantages for the success of studying abroad. When you decide to go abroad, you should take the TOEFL, GRE and other study abroad exams as soon as possible. Of course, due to the tight time, you can also take the exam while contacting, but you must ensure that you can get all the required exam results before you formally apply. How to arrange the examination process that suits you needs to carefully analyze your own strength and time and arrange it reasonably.

Apply for a passport

Passports in China are divided into diplomatic passports, official passports and ordinary passports, and ordinary passports are divided into ordinary passports for business and ordinary passports for private purposes. Studying abroad at one's own expense generally requires a personal passport. China ordinary passport for private purposes is valid for 5 years. Passports valid for 5 years can be extended twice before expiration, each time not exceeding 5 years. The application for extension should be handled before the expiration of the passport, and the extension procedures in China can be handled at passport offices at all levels; In foreign countries, it shall be handled by China's diplomatic representative offices, consular offices or other foreign agencies authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In China, ordinary passports for diplomatic, official and business purposes are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and foreign affairs offices of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government, and foreign affairs offices in other open cities authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can also issue certain types of passports. Ordinary passports for private use by China citizens leaving the country for private purposes shall be issued by the Ministry of Public Security or local public security organs authorized by the Ministry of Public Security. China citizens apply for passports and certificates abroad, and the issuing organs are China embassies and consulates abroad or other overseas institutions authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Passport extension procedures are also handled by the above-mentioned institutions respectively.

According to China's regulations, citizens of China who have reached the age of 16 can issue passports, while citizens who have not reached the age of 16 can use the same passport when going abroad privately. If necessary, it can also be sent separately. 1997 1.7, China citizens applied for personal reasons.

The procedures for going abroad have been further simplified. Now you only need a household registration book or ID card to get the approval form for going abroad, and the applicant only needs to submit the supporting materials related to the reasons for going abroad. Citizens who apply for studying abroad at their own expense, like regular universities, only need to submit their admission notices and financial guarantees when necessary; Like the informal universities above, it adds a form of self-protection. In addition, holders who have been approved to go abroad can apply for an extension within 6 months before the expiration of their passports, without submitting supporting materials.

During the period, you can also apply in advance with the relevant visa certificate under special circumstances. If the applicant has not been informed of the examination and approval results within the prescribed time limit, he may inquire with the public security organ.

Go through notarization

When going through the formalities of studying abroad, students studying abroad must first submit relevant notarial certificates. Due to different countries, schools or scientific research institutions, the types, translations, certification procedures and the number of copies required are also different.

And it often changes. The specific requirements should be verified by the overseas students to the relevant countries or schools and scientific research institutions, and then apply for notarization to the notary office in China.

Under normal circumstances, to study in the United States, Japan, Australia, and European countries, first, you need to apply for notarial certificates about your academic situation, such as diploma certificates, degree certificates, transcripts, etc. Second, some countries require a notarial certificate on personal quality, such as a notarial certificate that has not been criminally punished, to prove that the parties concerned have not been criminally punished by the judicial organs in China during their stay in China; Third, some countries require notarial certificates about personal natural status and family status, such as birth notarization, health notarization, marital status notarization and kinship notarization. Fourth, some countries require financial notarization of individuals or families, especially for students who study abroad at their own expense, to ensure the source of expenses during their study. Fifth, some international students want to find a job during their studies, and they need to apply for notarization of their personal experience and professional titles.

You need to pay attention to the following points when handling the notarial certificate required for studying abroad: First, apply to your notary office. If the party concerned is abroad or overseas, he may entrust others to apply to the notary office where your last residence is located in China, or to the notary office where your graduation school is located. Second, you should provide the original academic certificates, degree certificates and transcripts to the notary office. Third, notarial certificates and notarial certificates of marital status that have not been subjected to criminal punishment have strong timeliness when used. After a certain period of time, the notarial certificate will lose its validity. For example, a notarial certificate without criminal punishment is generally valid for 6 months.

The notarization procedure for studying abroad is as follows:

1. Application means that the parties request the notary office for notarization. When applying for notarization, the parties concerned shall personally submit a written or oral application to the notary office. If a party applying for notarization entrusts others to apply for notarization on his behalf, he must submit a written power of attorney to the notary office, which shall specify the agency matters, authority and time limit, and be signed and sealed by the client.

2. Acceptance means that the notary office initially decides to accept the application according to the application of the parties. At this time, the applicant can receive various application forms at the notary office.

3. Examination is the most important link in the whole notarization procedure, and it is the key to decide whether the application for notarization is true and legal. The documents to be notarized include: education certificate, report card, no criminal record, family member certificate, marriage (divorce) or unmarried certificate, kinship certificate, personal experience certificate and economic guarantee (deposit certificate issued by the bank). No criminal record must be provided and stamped by the local police station.

Kinship, birth certificate, marriage (divorce) or unmarried certificate must be proved by the police station. If the police station does not have it, it can also be confirmed by the personnel department of the unit (if the file is placed in the talent exchange center, it can be proved by the talent exchange center).

Where stocks and securities are traded, the stock exchange and the securities registration company shall issue certificates and provide shareholders' cards; If there is a real estate, provide the title certificate (non-commercial housing needs to be evaluated by an accounting firm first), and then go to the notary office for notarization.

The documents to be provided for notarization of economic guarantee include: salary income certificate issued by the personnel department of the unit, monthly tax payment certificate issued by the tax bureau, passbook and deposit certificate issued by the bank (it has been three months since the date of notarization).

To apply for birth notarization, the applicant's household registration book and identity card must be provided, and the birth certificate is also required if there is a birth certificate.

Diploma, degree certificate and degree certificate are required for notarization of academic qualifications. If the original degree certificate and transcript are lost, you should apply to the original school for a replacement.

To handle the notarization of experience, you need to provide the certificate, appointment letter, professional title certificate and a copy of the applicant's personal file resume from the personnel department of the previous work unit (the seal of the personnel department of the unit is required).

Notarization of kinship requires the applicant's household registration book and identity card, as well as a copy of the identity card or passport of the related person. All supporting documents shall be original, and copies shall be provided. For complex certificates, the translation company should provide English documents. Birth, menstruation

Calendar, education, unmarried certificate need to provide three black and white two-inch photos; Notarization used in the United States must provide four two-inch black and white photos.

If you entrust others to handle the formalities of studying abroad, you must also notarize the power of attorney. To notarize the entrustment statement, the client and the declarant must go to the notary office in person and provide their ID cards. To apply for entrustment notarization, it is also necessary to provide a copy of the client's ID card and proof of the entrusted matters (such as real estate, stock, deposit certificate, etc.). ). Fill in the power of attorney and statement, and sign or seal the power of attorney and statement.

After all the information is complete, go to the local notary office for notarization.

4. Take the notarial certificate issued by the notary office.

5. Paying notarization fees refers to the relevant fees charged by the State Notary Office to the parties applying for notarization in the process of exercising notarization functions. After the notary office issues the notarial certificate, it shall collect the notarization fee from the parties in accordance with the standards approved by the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Finance and the State Price Bureau.

apply for a visa

(A) the method of visa processing

Students studying abroad at their own expense may apply for entry visas at the embassies and consulates of the countries concerned after obtaining passports and exit registration cards issued by the public security organs of our country. Generally, the following materials and relevant certificates shall be provided to foreign embassies and consulates in China:

1. Passport and exit registration card of the person going abroad for personal reasons, the applicant's academic credentials and school transcripts, etc.

2. Letter of economic guarantee, bank deposit certificate or financial aid certificate provided by relevant overseas institutions.

3. Applicants should fill in the non-immigrant visa application form. Family member registration form, international student information questionnaire, 1 photo consistent with my passport (take more, be prepared).

4. Physical Health Checklist (hospitals at or above the county level, bilingual)

(2) Problems that should be paid attention to when signing a visa

1. When you go to embassies and consulates in China for an interview, you must behave in a dignified manner, dress neatly, tidy up, shave and repair your face, and don't eat any food or drink with strange smell before the interview.

2. behave politely, and pay great attention to manners from beginning to end.

Don't be nervous during the interview. You can ask again if you don't understand a foreign language. If you can't answer the question clearly, you can ask permission to say it again. Don't pretend to understand.

4. Explain the purpose of studying abroad with sufficient reasons during the interview.

Be sure to explain that you will return to China on time after the study.