In April 2012, the Ministry of Education issued a notice stating a qualified volunteer who serves more than two years abroad and takes a postgraduate examination within three years of the end of tenure is allowed 10 extra points for the preliminary exam and a privileged position for the final interview.

The notice also gives qualified volunteers primacy when applying for teaching positions at universities and related institutions in China.

Hu Zhiping, deputy director of Hanban, says it is important to look after volunteers after they return to China, suggesting they will also have an advantage if they apply for the civil service.