Every year, the number of international students enrolling in China’s universities and schools increases. This is not surprising given China’s high standard of education and diverse student population. Students who intend to study in China need to apply for a visa.
What are the Types of China Student Visas?
There are two types of Chinese student visas for which you can apply, depending on the duration of your education program. Student visa types include X1 and X2.
China Student Visa X1
The X1 visa is for long-term students studying for more than six months in China. The X1 visa is frequently used for bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. students because these programs last longer than 180 days. With the X1 visa, you can stay in China for up to five years and are allowed to travel throughout China.
China Student Visa X2
The X2 visa is for short-term students studying in China for less than six months. You are required to apply for programs that are shorter than 180 days. Moreover, if you need to extend your stay in China, you can apply for an extension one month before your visa expires. However, remember that you must have genuine reasons to extend your stay.
What are the Requirements for a China Student Visa?
Documents you need when applying for a China student visa include the following:
1. A valid passport: Your passport must be valid for up to six months from the date of your visa application.
2. A passport-sized photograph: A photo taken within the last six months and has a dimension of 48 mm x 33 mm.
3. A completed application form: You must complete the application form online; handwritten is unacceptable. Make sure you complete all the sections.
4. A formal admission letter: Once you have been accepted into a university in China, they will send you the admission letter. Make sure there is a university seal in the letter. In addition, the letter must be in both English and Chinese.
5. A completed JW201 or JW202 form: The State Education Ministry of China issues the forms. The JW201 is for applicants with a scholarship funded by the Chinese government, whereas those who will personally fund their studies in China will complete the JW202 form.
6. An itinerary: Stating the dates of your arrival and departure. You must be honest with your departure dates because your visa will not be confirmed if you fail to convince the visa officers that you will return to your home country.
7. Details of your accommodation arrangements: Any document that proves where you will be staying is acceptable, such as a hotel reservation.
8. A medical examination record: A medical check is required for X1 visa applicants. If you cannot do it in your country, you must do it in China within 30 days of arrival.
9. Bank statements (for self-funded students)
How to Apply for a China Student Visa?
The application process for a student visa in China is as follows:
1. Receive the letter of acceptance to one of China’s universities. Choose one of China’s universities that accepts foreigners and apply there. You can continue with the other steps when you are accepted to the university of your choice.
2. Receive your JW201 or JW202 form. After accepting the Chinese university, it will send you a JW201 or JW202 form and an acceptance letter. The JW201 form is for applicants with a scholarship, and the JW202 form is for those who independently fund their studies.
3. Gather the rest of the required documents. In addition to the JW201, JW202, and the acceptance letter, you will need other documents to submit when applying for a China student visa. The list of documents is under “What Are the Requirements for a China Student Visa?”.
4. Apply at a Chinese Visa Application Service Center, Chinese Embassy, or Chinese Consulate. Depending on your country, you must apply for a student visa at a Chinese visa application service center, Chinese embassy, or Chinese consulate. There you will submit the required documents, and some embassies require the applicants to undergo an interview process. See the Chinese embassies abroad here.
4. Pay the application fee. The fees will depend on your nationality, and you might be required to pay an extra fee if you want a shorter processing time. The fees range between ¥238 and ¥1,006,
5. Wait for an answer. Usually, the processing time of a China student visa application is four working days. Still, you can get your visa faster if you pay additional fees for expedited processing.
6. Travel to China. When your visa is approved, and you collect it, you can travel to China.
7. Have a medical checkup. The medical check is for X1 visa applications only. You will not need to go through the medical check if you have finished in another country and it is translated into Chinese.
8. Apply for a Temporary Residence Permit. Upon arrival in China, you must go to the Public Security Bureau (PSB) Exit and Entry Administration Office and apply for a residence permit. You will have to apply within 30 days of your arrival. The temporary residence will have a year's validity.
Note: The X2 holders are not required to apply for a temporary residence permit; they will stay in China as long as it is indicated on the visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Long Can I Stay in China With a Student Visa?
2 to 3 working days
2. How Long Can I Stay in China With a Student Visa?
The X1 student visa is valid for more than six months, and you can also apply for a temporary residence permit that allows you to stay up to five years in China.
With the X2 visa, you can stay for less than six months. To extend your stay, you can apply for an extension.
3. Do I Need to Go Through a Language Test?
When applying for a China student visa, you are not required to undergo a language proficiency test.
Nevertheless, you must take a language proficiency test before the visa application begins and before you enroll in a university. The test is required as proof when you apply for admission to a Chinese university. The test certificate can be in Chinese or English.
Conclusion
China offers two main types of student visas: X1 for long-term programs and X2 for short-term programs. Applicants must have the necessary documents to apply for a China student visa, including an admission letter, completed forms, and a valid passport. The application process involves submitting these documents at a Chinese Visa Application Service Center, Embassy, or Consulate, paying the required fees, and waiting for the visa to be processed. Once approved, students can travel to China and follow specific requirements, such as medical checks and temporary residence permit applications, depending on their visa type. This comprehensive guide provides essential information for students planning to study in China, facilitating a smooth visa application process.