10 hours a week, (2 hours a day, Monday to Friday) can get you a student visa.

@Haali... 10 hours a week at a specific school or is that the general rule?

Most schools seem to be the same. It's not really 2 hours though because there is a break in the middle.

@zhudan Yes, I am a spy from the chinese government and every time i deport an expat i get extra money.
Yes, you got me!

Tú eres tonto chaval.

You can register in Yunnan University for the general classes (综合课),combined with visa, registration and insurance fee it's something around 5000 yuan, it's just 4 days a week and in my experience they don't give a flying fuck for the attendance. if you don't care about the study, that would be a way to go. plus the police trusts the university so they won't check for "fake students"

That'll get you a one year visa?

no, 6 months. then at the beginning of the next semester (or rather, when your visa runs out), you pay for the next one

You pay another 5000 or just the cost of a 6 month visa?

of course 5000 (for the second semester maybe a bit less, cause you don't have to pay the registration fee). did you expect to find a whole year study for less then that? well, you won't. one semester - 4000 (i think) the study fee, 450 for 6 month visa, 300 for insurance and for the first semester (only the first, not the second or any subsequent) a registration fee 300.

none of my business, but i would suggest to actually study. you gonna pay anyways, why make this money go to waste? new knowledge will never hurt, especially if you're planning to work with Chinese. In that case i would suggest private schools - like the KCEL. it is just around 500-700 more than the general course in Yunnan university, but you can choose the courses (attend the speaking or writing course for your choosing), and the school is just nicer, warmer and more comfortable. But they are more concerned with attendance.