youre cleary not at a uni....pay terms are aug and march 7th.ynnu, and yunda dont care when or how you pay as long as you pay in full at the end of the program.

I am a university student here, have been so for 3 years. Why do you doubt me ? My university used to allow paying before the final exams also, however they changed that, they are getting plenty of foreign students so they are starting to become tyrannical.

Pay the money you owe (they ask for) and get this problem resolved. No use crying over spilled milk. If you delay payment you are creating worries and problems for yourself. Pay and resolve this visa issue NOW.

Speculation, but if you are asked to leave one university, it could be hard to enter another.

Regarding tyranny, it is probably one office manager who has been given a target date, and it is up to him/her what they say/do to achieve the goal.
Have you been asked for this in writing? If not, try asking for this in writing, on university headed note paper, with the university chop. Tell them that your financial sponsor/support in the home country needs it.

do what a local would do. lie. tell em your uncle who was paying for this died. you can get the money but not until april.

I need a little more time to pay, that's all, if I could do it now, I would, I can't rob a bank.

it probaly is just about the money. if you give them the choice of if they wait they will get it all, if they boot you they will get zip. also if they can you they will have to explain to the psb why and that will be a loss of face for them even if they lie, they have still lost a student and they will ahve inconveneiced the psb system.

I already paid 100.000 RMB in tuition fees so far, in those three years I've been studying here, I would like to know where I could turn to, in case they do something stupid and abuse their power and jeopardize my future, like contacting the ministry of education or my embassy or someone to intercede in this. So I'm looking for a way out and to have a plan-b if I need it.

4 years at uni less than 80k rmb full room and board. from the ads on gokunming private schools are less than 40k for 4 years. clearly youre an illegal, you have no plan b. hfcampo gave the best advice.

So If I got it right. You have signed up with some school a study program for 1,2 or more years and they sorted " sponsor " student visa ( res.permit ), I guess 1year ( or more ). But because fee is too hight, they allowe to pay per semester. So obviously if you dont join next semester ( in your case because you fail to pay in time ) they can no longer "cover" your residence permit,and then I understand why they hold your passport. If they notified you before holidays, then I dont see any tyrany here. As Chines visa policy is strict, they are probably obliged to cancel your visa if you r no loger their student and as there is no other option ( like switch to different type of visa without leaving China, or transfer residence permit "guarantee" to different Uni ) they have to issue this * visa. And as tiger said, they have certain targets aslo in schools ( coz it is business here after all ), so they thread .U have been here many years u said, so I guess u have lots of friends. Try to ask them for financial help, I guess thats your only option if you want to avoid that * staff. Its certanly not good in China have some stars like that in your passport.