Guardianship in China
A structured, compliant support framework that gives families a trusted local guardian, and complete peace of mind.
What is a Legal Guardian in China, and Why Does My Child Need One?
Chinese regulations require every international student under the age of 18 to have a legal guardian: a natural person residing in China. This is not a formality. It is a legal condition of university enrolment and residency registration in China.
Universities and the relevant authorities enforce this requirement to ensure three things are always in place:
- Defined legal responsibility — a clear, local point of accountability for the student
- Student safety and welfare — immediate, local support for health, security and administrative needs
- Safeguarding and duty of care — oversight that meets the standards expected by leading educational institutions
Under Chinese law, universities and companies cannot act as legal guardians. The role must be held by an eligible individual. Families who leave this until the last minute often encounter delays to registration, or fall out of step with immigration requirements.
What is a Legal Guardian in China, and Why Does My Child Need One?
Chinese regulations require every international student under the age of 18 to have a legal guardian: a natural person residing in China. This is not a formality. It is a legal condition of university enrolment and residency registration in China.
Universities and the relevant authorities enforce this requirement to ensure three things are always in place:
- Defined legal responsibility — a clear, local point of accountability for the student
- Student safety and welfare — immediate, local support for health, security and administrative needs
- Safeguarding and duty of care — oversight that meets the standards expected by leading educational institutions
Under Chinese law, universities and companies cannot act as legal guardians. The role must be held by an eligible individual. Families who leave this until the last minute often encounter delays to registration, or fall out of step with immigration requirements.
Do I Need This Service?
- Your child is under 18 and enrolling at a school or university in mainland China
- You do not already have a trusted, eligible contact living in China who meets the legal and institutional requirements
- You would prefer a properly vetted, professional guardian to an informal arrangement
If you already have a suitable family member or close contact based in China, you may not need a sourcing service, though the arrangement will still need to be formalised correctly. BE Education is able to support either route.
Our Service: The BE Guardianship Framework
An important distinction: BE Education does not act as the legal guardian. Rather, we provide the framework that connects your family to carefully vetted, local professionals, and we support you at every stage of the process.
Our framework is built on three pillars:
Sourcing
Identifying strong candidates with valid, verified Chinese residency
Vetting
Rigorous background and compliance checks on every candidate
Oversight
Ongoing administrative coordination throughout your child’s studies in China
Sourcing
Identifying strong candidates with valid, verified Chinese residency
Vetting
Rigorous background and compliance checks on every candidate
Oversight
Ongoing administrative coordination throughout your child’s studies in China
How Are Guardians Vetted
Our framework includes a two-phase verification process that goes beyond standard market practice, so that every family is matched with a genuinely trustworthy representative.
Initial Screening and Assessment
A comprehensive background assessment, a behavioural interview covering communication and cultural sensitivity, and a mandatory self-declaration of no criminal record.
Initial Screening and Assessment
A comprehensive background assessment, a behavioural interview covering communication and cultural sensitivity, and a mandatory self-declaration of no criminal record.
Official Government Verification
Before any student is matched, successful candidates must also provide an official, government-issued Certificate of No Criminal Conviction, issued within the previous six months.
Official Government Verification
Before any student is matched, successful candidates must also provide an official, government-issued Certificate of No Criminal Conviction, issued within the previous six months.
What Standards Do BE Education’s Guardians Meet
Communication
Fluent in both English and Mandarin, and confident dealing with university administrators, hospitals and local authorities
Communication
Fluent in both English and Mandarin, and confident dealing with university administrators, hospitals and local authorities
Financial Stability
Verified stable income, supported by current employment documentation or a minimum of six months’ bank statements
Financial Stability
Verified stable income, supported by current employment documentation or a minimum of six months’ bank statements
Relevant Experience
A demonstrated history of responsibility, for example in education, social work or raising children
Relevant Experience
A demonstrated history of responsibility, for example in education, social work or raising children
Age and Maturity
A minimum age of 25 (or 30, depending on the requirements of the partner institution), together with verified long-term Chinese legal residency
Age and Maturity
A minimum age of 25 (or 30, depending on the requirements of the partner institution), together with verified long-term Chinese legal residency
How Does the Process Work
The Framework
Sign the initial BE Referral Agreement to begin the sourcing and vetting process.
The Selection
Review up to three carefully vetted candidates. We arrange video introductions so you can meet each one directly before you decide.
The Authorisation
Sign a separate Guardianship Authorisation Agreement directly with your chosen guardian, formally delegating the agreed proxy powers.
The Submission
BE Education coordinates the collection of all documentation and supports the final submission to the university, to ensure everything remains compliant.
Once your child is settled in China, BE Education continues to provide:
- Well-being checks — periodic check-ins to help flag any concerns early
- University liaison — ongoing communication with international student offices on status, leave requests and compliance matters
Who is Responsible for What
Parents
Parents retain full legal parental responsibility at all times, and are required to arrange comprehensive insurance and disclose all relevant medical history before their child’s arrival.
Parents
Parents retain full legal parental responsibility at all times, and are required to arrange comprehensive insurance and disclose all relevant medical history before their child’s arrival.
BE Education
BE Education acts as a service facilitator and coordinator, and does not act as, or assume the responsibilities of, a legal guardian.
BE Education
BE Education acts as a service facilitator and coordinator, and does not act as, or assume the responsibilities of, a legal guardian.
Individual Guardian
The individual guardian is authorised to act on specific administrative and emergency matters only: acting as a 24/7 emergency and medical point of contact, signing university documents, handling leave requests, and reporting any concerns promptly.
Individual Guardian
The individual guardian is authorised to act on specific administrative and emergency matters only: acting as a 24/7 emergency and medical point of contact, signing university documents, handling leave requests, and reporting any concerns promptly.
A guardian is never authorised to:
- Manage a student’s personal finances, pocket money or tuition payments
- Make visa, immigration or legal decisions beyond the agreed scope
- Provide unsanctioned homestay, accommodation or transport
What Does the Guardianship Service Cost
Annual Service
$1,500 USD Fee
Half-Year Service
$1,500 USD Fee
Arrival Support
$1,500 USD Fee
Optional