The Chinese government aims to have 500,000 international students enrolled at its higher education institutions by 2020 and steps have been made to make the visa process easier for students. The first thing to note is that all students will need a visa, no matter how long your study programme lasts. There are two types of visas for international students, the X1 and X2, and they depend on whether you will be in China for more or less than 180 days. We’ve simplified the process below...

X1 Visas

All students studying in China for more than 180 days must apply for an X1 visa.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• A passport, valid for the entirety of your stay in China, with extra pages
• The Visa Application Form with photo
• One original AND one photocopy of your admission letter issued by your university in China
• One original AND one photocopy of the “Visa Application for Study in China” – the JW201 or JW202
  • The JW201 and JW202 are issued based on the types of scholarships you have received from your university. The Chinese government will know which one to issue to you, and your university should be able to tell you which form to complete.

X2 Visas

All students studying in China for less than 180 days must apply for an X2 visa.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• A passport, valid for the entirety of your stay in China, with extra pages
• The Visa Application Form with photo
• One original AND one photocopy of your admission letter issued by your university in China

How much will your visa cost?

Depending on your country of residence, you will be charged anywhere from $30 to $130 for a Chinese visa. Check with your university, or the Chinese embassy website in your country for more information.

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

After arriving in China, you will have to apply for a residence permit, which must be done in person at the nearest police station to where you are living. This must be done every time you change accommodation, as well.

Now that you know how to apply for a visa, why not check out some Chinese scholarships you should also apply for!