How to apply for a study visa to China?

Many international students are eager to study in China.The ancient country appeal to them. Then a visa is essential for students to study abroad, let us read what is a visa and how to apply for a study visa to China?

1. What is a Chinese visa?

The Visa of the People's Republic of China is a license issued by the government authorized by the government of the People's Republic of China for foreigners applying for entry, exit or transit in accordance with national laws and regulations. According to the bilateral agreements signed or reached between China and the countries concerned, some countries that meet certain conditions may go to China and may be exempted from visas.

2. The very first thing you need to do before leaving for studying in China is to get a student visa. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Receive original Admission Letter and JW202 form from your Chinese university

Once your application has been accepted by a Chinese university, your school will send you a package via express delivery (TNT, DHL, UPS and EMS, etc.) containing the original JW202 form and the university admission notice. You will need to submit the original documents of these two documents together with other required documents to the nearest Chinese consulate or embassy to apply for a visa.

Step 2: Do physical examination and get your Physical Examination Record 

All students applying for a visa are required to undergo a physical examination before applying for a visa. You must submit a full medical record at the beginning of your visa application. It is best to complete a medical examination at a local official hospital approved by the Chinese Embassy. Otherwise, the medical examination information will be invalid, which will hinder your visa application process.

Step 3: Go to the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate to Apply for a Visa 

For international students who intend to study in China for longer than 6 months, a student visa is the most secured choice. 

Notes: Foreign students studying in China are required to hold an ordinary passport and either a X1 visa (study period of more than 180 days) or a X2 visa (study period of no more than 180 days.).

3. Documents needed for visa application:

1. A valid passport with at least six months remaining validity and at least one blank visa page in it;

2. Chinese visa application form: accurately, completely, and clearly filled out and signed.

3. Photo: one recent passport photo (2x2 inch)

4. Original and photocopy of Admission Notice (issued by the university in your offer package)

5. Original and photocopy of JW202 form (issued by the university in your admission package)

6. Visa fees

4. Visa processing time: 

Regular pick-up time is on the fourth working day. For express service, visa will be ready for collection on the third working day. For rush service, application should be submitted before 12:00 noon and visa is ready for collection on the second working day. 

5. Validity period, number of entries and duration of stay of a Chinese visa

1. The validity period of the visa ("EnterBefore") refers to the validity period of the visa itself, that is, the date from the date of issuance of the visa to the date on which the holder can enter China (subject to Beijing time). If there are still unused entry times, the holder can enter the country before the expiration date (including the day).

2. The number of entry visas ("Entries") refers to the number of times a licensee can enter China's borders during the validity period of the visa.

3. Visas that have not been used up or have not been used, but have expired, are invalid visas. If you need to travel to China, you must apply for a visa again. If the holder holds a visa for invalidation, he will be refused entry.

4. The duration of the visa ("Duration of EachStay") refers to the maximum number of days a permit holder is allowed to stay in China after entering China, that is, from the date of entry, the maximum number of holders who can stay in China Long days.

If the residence time of a foreigner in China exceeds the permitted period of stay of the visa and does not go through the relevant extension procedures, it is a violation of the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Entry and Exit of Foreigners and the Implementation Rules of the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Entry and Exit of Foreigners. The situation will be punished by fines and the like. Therefore, if the holder’s stay in China exceeds the visa-permitted stay period, he/she must go to the local public security organ at the county level or above before the expiration of the stay (please consult the local public security organ website for an extension) (but not necessarily It was approved). Chinese embassies and consulates abroad do not apply for visa extensions.

From work in China (with "Z" visa), study (with "X" visa), settlement (with "D" visa) and resident correspondent (with "J-1" visa) Within 30 days, you must go to the local public security agency to apply for residence. Permanent personnel of diplomatic and consular agencies must go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local foreign affairs departments to apply for residence procedures within 30 days from the date of entry.

Are you clear to know how to apply for a student visa in China? Welcome to study in China!