Beijing remains one of the most consequential international school markets in Asia. Long-established embassy schools, Cambridge-IB hybrids and high-profile bilingual campuses share the city with newer entrants in Shunyi, Chaoyang and the airport corridor. Applying to an international school in Beijing in 2026 is more involved than in most cities — eligibility rules, document attestations and language tests all matter. This guide walks expat families step-by-step through the admissions process for the 2026-2027 academic year.
The Beijing international school landscape in 2026
Beijing hosts more than thirty international and bilingual schools across three main clusters: Shunyi (north-east, near the airport), Chaoyang (CBD and embassy district) and Haidian (university belt in the north-west). Most fully international schools — those licensed for foreign passport holders only — are concentrated in Shunyi and Chaoyang. Bilingual private schools (open to Chinese passport holders too) are more evenly distributed.
Step 1: Confirm eligibility
Eligibility for international schools in Beijing depends on the child's passport. Foreign-passport-only schools (FPS) require all admitted students to hold a non-Chinese passport. Mainland Chinese passport holders are not eligible to enrol in FPS schools, including the embassy schools and several IB campuses. Bilingual private schools accept both foreign and Chinese passport holders, with the latter usually following an integrated Chinese national curriculum + IGCSE / IB hybrid track. Returnee Chinese families typically use the bilingual route until passport situations stabilise.
Step 2: Map shortlisted schools to your district
Beijing's traffic is the major lifestyle constraint, so most expat families pick a district first and a school second.
Canadian International School of Beijing
One of the most established Chaoyang campuses, delivering the IB continuum from PYP to DP. Strong alumni network in North American universities.
View Canadian International School of Beijing profile
Beanstalk International Bilingual School
An IB World School running PYP, MYP and DP with bilingual Chinese-English provision. Multiple campuses across Beijing make it accessible from most expat clusters.
View Beanstalk International Bilingual School profile
Saint Paul American School
An American-curriculum boarding-and-day school, popular with US-bound students who want a US diploma plus Advanced Placement.
View Saint Paul American School profile
Beijing Huijia Private School
An established bilingual private school covering primary through senior secondary, with an integrated A Level pathway alongside the Chinese national curriculum.
View Beijing Huijia Private School profile
International Montessori School of Beijing
A Montessori primary school with bilingual English-Chinese provision. A practical fit for younger children new to Beijing.
View International Montessori School of Beijing profile
Step 3: Prepare the documents
The standard admissions pack for Beijing schools in 2026 includes:
The child's passport and visa or residence permit. Both parents' passports and one parent's Chinese work / residence permit. The last two academic years of school reports, with notarised translations into English or Chinese where required. Birth certificate (apostilled or notarised). Vaccination record translated into English or Chinese. A teacher recommendation, especially for older students.
For Year 11 entry and above, externally-validated test results (IGCSE, MAP, A Level mocks, IB MYP eAssessment scores) make a difference. Schools also use them to set class placement.
Step 4: Pass the assessment
Most fully international schools assess in English. Expect a combined English literacy, Mathematics and short interview lasting 60 to 90 minutes. EAL support is widely available. Bilingual schools usually run a parallel Chinese-language assessment to set the bilingual track placement (HSK or equivalent). For non-Chinese-speaking children entering bilingual schools, structured Chinese-as-a-Foreign-Language tracks are available — confirm the level and timeline before signing.
Step 5: Visas, residence permits and final enrolment
Most international schools issue a conditional offer letter that allows the dependent child to apply for a Chinese S1 / X1 student visa or a dependent residence permit (S2). Final enrolment is contingent on the child receiving a valid visa or residence permit before the start of term. Schools coordinate with the relevant entry/exit bureau, but families should expect a 2-4 week visa processing time.
Tuition deposits (typically one term) are due within 2 to 3 weeks of accepting the offer. Several schools allow staggered tuition payment over three or four instalments at no interest charge.
Compare schools across Beijing and China
For a curated overview of curricula, fees and contact details: International School Advisor.
FAQ
Can my Chinese-passport child attend an international school in Beijing?
Not at foreign-passport-only schools. Bilingual private schools accept Chinese-passport holders into an integrated Chinese national curriculum + international qualification track.
When should I apply for August 2026 entry?
Open the priority window in September 2025. Most popular year groups (Reception, Year 7) close by January 2026. Year 12 IB Diploma intake closes by March 2026.
What document attestations are required?
Birth certificate and the last two school reports, notarised and apostilled in the issuing country, then translated into English or Chinese. Allow four to eight weeks for the full process.