China Student Visa

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According to Chinese laws, foreign students studying in China should have student's visa for entrance. With the school admission notice, the required document of visa application for study in China (Form JW201or JW202), students apply for the student's visa in the Chinese embassy or consulate in their own countries. Students who plan to study in China for over 6 months will be issued an X1 visa, and those for less than or equal to 6 months will be issued an X2 visa. The Chinese embassy or consulate has full authority to make the decision if the applicant should be issued a visa or not.

The school admission office of international students will send the school admission notice (letter of acceptance) and the required document of visa application for study in China (Form JW201or JW202) to the student after application is accepted. Both of them are very important documents for international students to study in China. Not only they are used for the application of the student visa, but also for the renewal and extension of the student visa after the student registers in the university. Students should keep the original copies of both documents and bring them to China. Photocopy of these documents are not qualified for the visa affairs. Since the student's visa has a period of validity, students should arrange the trip reasonably and register at the university on time. Arriving in China too early may result in visa expires before the indicated registration time. Late arrival always disturbs the arrangement of the study schedule.

How to Apply Student Visa in China?

1) You need to submit your visa application to the Chinese Embassy (Consulate) or Chinese Visa Application Service Center in person.
2) If you cannot come personally, you may send someone else or a travel/visa agent to act on your behalf.
3) Mail applications are not acceptable in the Chinese Embassies (Consulates). Many Chinese Visa Application Service Centers do accept mail applications.
4) No appointment is required in the Chinese Embassies (Consulates). Online appointment is required in many Chinese Visa Application Service Centers.

Processing Time

1) The regular processing time is 4 working days.
2) Express service: 2-3 working days processing.
3) Same day rush service.

Basic Documents

1) Passport
2) Application form
3) Recent photo

Supporting Documents

X1-Visa

1) Original and photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by a school or other entities in China.
2) Original and photocopy of "Visa Application for Study in China" (Form JW201 or Form JW202).

Holders of X1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.

X2-Visa

1) Original and photocopy of Admission Notice issued by a school or other entities in China.

Learn more about life in China, please visit Your Guide to Living in China