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Student Visa for China – Requirements, Process, Costs

Student Visa for China

To study in China, international students will need a Student Visa for China. International students will receive a demanding yet thorough education in China, and their chances of landing a good job are assured. In addition to receiving top-notch instruction, students will also get fully immersed in Chinese culture, which will undoubtedly broaden their outlook on life and help them achieve their objectives.

Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in study abroad programs lasting six months to five years are eligible for X1 visas. For students enrolled in courses less than six months, X2 visas provide a temporary solution.

In this blog, we have covered all the details about Student visas for China including the process, document requirements, and others.

Key Takeaways:

  • There are two types of Student visas for China. They are China student visa X1 and China student visa X2.
  • The documents required by students to be submitted are passports, photographs, application forms, and more.
  • To apply for a Student visa in China, students should receive an acceptance letter from a university in China, and fill the JW201 or JW202 form among many others.
  • The JW201 and JW202 are for candidates with scholarships and candidates without scholarships respectively. 
  • Usually, the processing time for a student visa in China is about 4 days.
  • Students can work in China for about 40 hours every month while on a student visa.

What are the types of Student visas for China?

There are two types of student visas for China for which students can apply depending on the duration of their course. The types of visas are:

1. China student visa X1:

Long-term students studying in China for longer than six months are eligible for the X1 visa. Because these programs continue longer than 180 days, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral students typically need the X1 visa. 

You are permitted to travel throughout China and remain in the country for a maximum of five years if you have an X1 visa.

2. China Student Visa X2:

Short-term students who plan to study in China for less than six months are eligible for the X2 visa. You must apply for programs that last less than 180 days. 

Additionally, you can request an extension one month before your visa expires if you need to prolong your stay in China. But keep in mind that you need valid reasons if you want to extend your visit.

What are the documents required for a student visa for China?

The documents required when applying for a student visa to China include:

  1. Valid passport: Students have to submit a passport which should be valid for up to six months from the date of the visa application. 
  1. Passport-sized passports: The photos submitted by the applicant should be taken at least six months before application and have a dimension of 48mm x 33mm.
  1. Finished application form: Students will have to correctly complete the application form online. Handwritten forms are not unacceptable. Students should ensure that they have filled all the sections.
  1. Proof of admission letter: Once the students have been accepted into a university in China, they should submit an admission letter. Students should also ensure that there is a university seal on the letter. Additionally, the letter should be in English and Chinese. 
  1. Completed JW201 or JW202 form: These forms are issued by the State Education Ministry. Applicants who have a scholarship funded by the Chinese government can apply for the JW201 form. Students who will personally fund their education will have to apply for the JW202 form.
  1. Detailed itinerary: Stating your arrival and leaving dates is mandatory. Since your visa will not be confirmed if you cannot persuade the visa officials that you will return to your home country, you must be truthful about your departure dates.
  1. Proof of accommodation: Any proof of where you are staying, such as a hotel reservation is necessary. 
  1. Medical record: Applicants for an X1 visa must undergo a medical examination. You can complete the same 30 days after arrival to the country if you can’t carry it out in your home country. 
  1. Proof of language: Students who apply to universities in China should meet the IELTS requirements for universities in China

What is the application procedure for a Student visa for China?

The application process for a student visa to China is quite simple yet lengthy. Usually, the process is as follows:

  1. Obtain the acceptance letter from a Chinese university: Select an appropriate university in China and apply there. Once you’re admitted to the university of your choice, you can move on to the following steps.
  1. Get your form JW201 or JW202: The Chinese university will give you an acceptance letter and a JW201 or JW202 form when you are accepted. Applications with scholarships should use the JW201 form while those who pay for their education on their own should use the JW202 form.
  1. Assemble the remaining necessary paperwork: When applying for a China student visa, you will also need to provide extra documents in addition to the JW201, JW202, and the acceptance letter.
  1. Apply in person at a Chinese consulate, embassy, or visa application service center: You must apply for a student visa at a Chinese consulate, embassy, or visa application service center, depending on your country. There, you will file the necessary paperwork. Certain embassies also demand that applicants go through an interview process. 
  1. Make the application fee payment: Your nationality will determine the fees, and if you would like a quicker processing time, you may have to pay an additional price. The costs vary from ¥238 to ¥1,006
  1. Await a response: An application for a China student visa typically takes four working days to process, but if you choose to pay extra for expedited processing, you can receive your visa more quickly.
  1. Visit China: You can visit China at any time once your visa has been granted and you go pick it up.
  1. Get examined by a physician: This medical check is exclusive to X1 visa applicants. If you have completed the medical check in another nation and it is translated into Chinese, you won’t have to do it again.
  1. Request a Temporary Resident Permit online: You must apply for a residency permit at the Public Security Bureau (PSB) Exit and Entry Administration Office as soon as you arrive in China. The application must be submitted within 30 days of your arrival. The validity of the temporary residence is five years.

What is the processing time of a Student visa for China?

The typical processing time for a student visa in China is four working days. To obtain your visa on the same day, you can alternatively use rush or express services, which have processing times of only two to three working days.

For how long can students stay in China with a student visa?

In addition to the more than six-month validity of the X1 student visa, you can apply for a temporary residency permit, which enables you to stay in China for up to five years.

You can only stay for a maximum of six months with the X2 visa. You can request an extension if you want to stay longer.

How much does a China student visa cost?

The following table lists the costs of obtaining a student visa for China. Depending on your nationality, they will vary. Additionally, there will be an extra fee for expedited service if you require quick delivery or express services.

CitizensVisa Fee in Chinese Yuan
Schengen Citizens¥433
The United States¥1,006.69
The United Kingdom¥860
Canada¥558
Brazil¥1,015
Australia¥508
India¥341.58
Third country¥238.41

Can students work in China with a student visa?

Students are allowed to work on and off the campus for 8 hours every week. Moreover, it should not be for more than 40 hours per month. Additionally, students should ensure that they engage in work-study activities along with insurance.

  1. Teaching assistants, scientific research assistants, administrative management assistants, and school public services are the jobs that most students choose who choose to work on campus.
  2. Students who choose to work off campus must fulfill certain standards such as:
    • Meet the physical requirements and be at least eighteen years old.
    • possess a current study-related residency permit in China.
    • possess no criminal history and abide by Chinese law.
    •  Be enrolled in an academic program for at least one academic year as an advanced, undergraduate, graduate, or research researcher.
    • The attendance record and academic performance should be up to the standards set by the school.

What should students do if their visa is rejected?

Remember that China has very tight visa requirements and low approval rates, so don’t give up if your initial application gets denied.

Facing a visa rejection is frustrating, but you can challenge the decision or submit a new application. Don’t just submit the same application again if you decide to reapply. More rejection is nearly a given if nothing is changed.

Although the Chinese authorities are not required to explain the denial of your application, typical grounds include:

  • Errors on the form
  • Lack of supporting documentation
  • restricted financial means
  • Inadequate evidence of your intention to return home after your stay 

If you can get rid of these problems on your second try, you’ll have the best chance of getting accepted.

Top universities in China for international students:

UniversityGlobal Score
Tsinghua University81.3
Peking University76.8
Shanghai Jiao Tong University71.3
Zhejiang University70.7
University of Science & Technology of China, CAS70.1
Huazhong University of Science & Technology69.1
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, CAS69.0
Fudan University68.8

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does it take to get a student visa for China?

An 8–10 business day processing period is typical for Chinese visas. Processing can be completed more quickly for a price. In addition to the consulate-mandated visa application fee, students who want to employ CIBT processing will be charged a service charge by the organization.

2. Can international students go to China to study?

Regardless of the kind of program you select to study in China, you must first determine which one is right for you, apply, and get approved before requesting a visa and making travel and accommodation arrangements. Although they take time to process, student visas for China are usually simple.

3. Is China cheap to study?

In Chinese public institutions, the average annual tuition ranges from 2,500 to 10,000 USD. Additionally, there are several tuition-free programs. These are mostly provided by foreign colleges with campuses in China.

4. Is it to get a visa for China?

Yes. Once the visa is submitted to the embassy, the processing period may last up to 15 days. It excludes the time needed to fill out the online application, get your paperwork together, and get to the embassy. The visa application process may take longer than a month.

Conclusion:

You can select from around 3,000 universities and colleges in China, all of which provide reasonably priced tuition. Public universities in China are fully supported by the Chinese government or other governmental organizations. Non-governmental organizations provide funding to private and nonstate colleges.

Students who come to China for fieldwork, advanced study, or study are granted a student visa. For international students to submit an acceptance letter and a visa application, they must locate an accredited institution that offers courses or internships to non-natives. 

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