China Visit Visa

The Requirements

To save yourself some trouble, ensure that you have all of the items below before applying for your visa and don’t worry if you aren’t sure what some of the forms are, they will be explained later.

  • Completed application form
  • Original passport valid for at least six months and containing at least one blank page
  • Original and a copy of your approved Foreign Student Visa Application Form JW201 or JW202
  • Original and a copy of the Admission Notice from your future school
  • A recent passport-style color photo, showcasing your entire face to attach to the application form (ensure you’re against a solid light colored background and sorry, but no hats allowed)
The Application Process

When you are accepted to the Chinese institution of your choice (congratulations!) they will send either a JW201 or JW202 form along with your acceptance letter. A photocopy of both must be included with the visa application when you submit it through the consular office of the Chinese Embassies or a travel/visa agency that can act on your behalf. Keep in mind that most Chinese embassies and consulates will refuse mailed applications, so a little legwork is required.

There are two types of student visas:

 

X1 Visa
The X1 Visa is for long-term students who will study in China for more than six months.

 

X2 Visa
The X2 Visa is for short-term students who will study in China for less than six months.

Processing Time

The process to receive your visa takes about four working days on average, but it’s better to be safe than sorry, so give yourself at least a week and a half of “wiggle room” when submitting your application. For last-minute submissions, a rush service is available for $20 USD (two to three working days) or $30 USD for an emergency one working day processing.

The Fees

By now you’ve heard the saying “nothing in life is free” and the same proves true about the Chinese visa. The visa itself costs $130 USD for Americans and $30 for citizens of other countries. Acceptable forms of payment include: Visa, MasterCard, money order, cashier’s check or company check made payable to the Chinese Embassy.