Within 3 Weeks of Acceptance
Utilize the link below to submit your $300 USD deposit via CLI's secure payment system (powered by Stripe). Be sure to select Immersion Program. Within one week of securing your space at CLI, your Admissions Manager will follow up with instructions for the remaining tuition balance.
Secure Your Space →Complete CLI's Invitation Letter Form at your earliest convenience so we can prepare and send the invitation letter and supporting documents you'll need for your visa application.
Once you've received your invitation letter, consult CLI's X2 Visa Application Guide to begin your application. Most Immersion Program students apply for an X2 visa, regardless of program length. Per the Chinese Consulate's guidance, apply within 45–90 days of your departure to China — do not apply more than 90 days prior to, or within 45 days of, your departure.
Visa fees (cost varies by consulate, plus $45 USD invitation letter shipping from Guilin if required) are not included in CLI tuition.
3–8 WEEKS BEFORE PROGRAM START
Please complete this form as soon as possible. It's important that we have information regarding any medical allergies or considerations, as well as any dietary restrictions you may have.
Complete Form →CLI provides complimentary airport, train station, or bus station pickup and drop-off for all students. Complete this form so we know exactly where and when to meet you.
Plan to arrive in Guilin the Saturday or Sunday before your first day of classes. CLI's orientation is held Monday morning. From early September through April, if a guest room is available, you may arrive before Saturday for an additional 150 RMB per night.
Complete Form →Within one week of submitting your $300 deposit, you'll receive an email from your Admissions Manager with instructions for your remaining tuition balance.
Please complete this introduction form so your CLI homestay family can learn about their guest before you arrive. This form requires you to upload a doctor's note demonstrating you are in good health and fit to live with a Chinese family.
You may use CLI's health certificate template or one recommended by your doctor. Please allow adequate time to schedule your appointment.
We also recommend reading our practical guide to living with a Chinese host family to familiarize yourself with daily routines, cultural expectations, dining etiquette, and useful phrases that will help you settle in.
Complete Form →
CLI students in Guilin
2–4 WEEKS BEFORE PROGRAM START
Complete CLI's pre-departure questionnaire about your Chinese language journey and future goals. Your three rotating teachers will use this to tailor your curriculum. Answer in Chinese to the best of your ability — but if you're just beginning, English is perfectly fine!
Share Your Chinese Story →CLI has put together a comprehensive pre-departure packet covering everything from what to pack to daily life in Guilin. Please review all information carefully and reach out to mira@studycli.org with any questions.
Read Pre-Departure Packet →CLI is a close-knit international community built on respect, trust, and clear professional boundaries. Please read the Student Community Standards before you arrive so you know what CLI expects of all students — and what support is available to you.
The standards cover respect and inclusion, professional boundaries with teachers and staff, privacy, class participation, housing, local laws, and how to raise concerns.
Read Community Standards →A great selection of free Mandarin learning resources is available online. Take time to review and familiarize yourself with each — the more Chinese you practice before arriving, the smoother your transition will be.
Browse Resources →If you want a local Chinese number, CLI can help you get a physical SIM during your first few days in Guilin. Just email Mira (mira@studycli.org) in advance or let the CLI team member who leads your orientation know during orientation (held on the first Monday of your program). Available providers are China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom.
If you prefer an eSIM, make sure your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible. Travel eSIMs are usually data-only, so if you go this route, you will not have a Chinese number. Reliable options used by students include Holafly, Airalo, and Saily. Choose a plan specifically for Mainland China and be sure to install it before departure.
Relaxing in Chuanshan Park
What to expect from the moment you land
Over 5,000 students from 50+ countries have called CLI home. Watch their stories to see what your experience could look like.
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