How to Apply for a Chinese Student Visa?

The Chinese government expects to have 500,000 international students enrolled in its higher education institutions in 2020. It has taken steps to consider that all students will need a visa, regardless of the duration of their study programs. There are two types of visas for international students, the X1 and X2, and it depends if you will be in China for more or less than 180 days. 

X1 Chinese Student Visas

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.

This is what you will need:

1. A valid passport during your entire stay in China.

2. The visa application form with the photograph.

3. The original admission letter from your university, JW201 or JW202, and a photocopy.

4. The JW201 or JW202 letters are issued based on the types of scholarships you receive from your university. The Chinese government knows which one will assign you, and the university will tell you which form you must complete.

X2 Chinese Student Visas

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.

This is what you will need:

1. A valid passport during your entire stay in China.

2. The visa application form with the photograph.

3. The original letter of admission from your university in China and the photocopy.

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.

5. 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,

6. 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 decide to pay additional fees for expedited processing.

7. Travel to China. When your visa is approved, and you collect it, you can travel to China.

8. 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.

9. 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 five-year validity.

How much will your Chinese Student Visa cost?

Depending on your country of residence, they usually charge between £ 20 and £ 100 for a Chinese visa. Check with your university or the portal of the Embassy of China in your country to get more information.

Your university will help you in the visa application process. Always check with the international office if you have any questions.

After arriving in China, you must apply for a residence permit, which you must do in person at the police station closest to your residence. You also have to do this every time you change your hosting.

How Long Does It Take to Get a China Student Visa?

The regular processing time for a China student visa is four working days. However, you can also use the express service, which has a processing time of only 2 to 3 working days, or the rush service to get your visa on the same day.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is a Chinese student visa easy to get?
Usually, all Chinese embassies are very efficient, and the processing time for a visa may only take one week or even less.

How much bank balance is required for a China student visa?
The bank statement for the China study visa must be signed & stamped by the respective bank & the amount in the bank should be more than 2500 USD for X1 study visa applicants.

Does China issue 10-year visas?
If you are a US citizen wishing to travel to China several times for tourism, then this 10-year China visa is for you. The 10-year Chinese visa provides you with flexibility and convenience when it comes to traveling to China for tourism purposes.

Which country is visa-free in China?
The eligible countries are Russia, the UK, France, Germany, Norway, Ukraine, Italy, Austria, Finland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria.

For which study China is best?
Clinical Medicine. China is highly recognized for its excellent medical education and competitive English-taught MBBS programs. ...
Business. China is known for its strong economy, vibrant business environment, and dynamic startup scene. ...
Chinese Language and Literature. ...
Computer Science and Technology. ...
Civil Engineering.

Conclusion

Applying for a Chinese student visa involves several steps and considerations depending on the type of visa you require (X1 or X2) and your intended duration of study in China. It is essential to begin by securing admission to a Chinese university and obtaining the necessary documents, such as the JW201 or JW202 form and the admission letter. The application process includes submitting your materials to a Chinese Visa Application Service Center, Embassy, or Consulate, paying the required fees, and awaiting processing, which typically takes four working days but can be expedited for a fee. After visa approval, you can travel to China, where you may need to undergo a medical checkup for X1 visa applicants and apply for a temporary residence permit within 30 days of your arrival. Always consult with your university's international office and the Chinese Embassy for the most up-to-date information and specific requirements related to your visa application.