How to Get a Proper Visa to Study in China
The very first thing you need to do before leaving for studying in China is to get an X Visa (Student Visa). Here are the steps:
Step 1: Receive original Admission Letter and JW202 form from your Chinese university
Step 2: Do physical examination and get your Physical Examination Record
Step 3: Go to the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate to Apply for an X Visa
Receive Original Admission Letter and JW202 Form
Once your application is accepted by the university, your school will send you by courier a document package containing: Original JW202 Form and Admission Letter. You will need to submit the original documents of these two documents along with other required documents to the nearest Chinese consulate or embassy to apply for your X visa.
SICAS Reminder: The JW202 form (Click here to see the Sample form) is an indispensable document required by Chinese embassy for applying X visa. Every JW202 form has its unique code which is issued by the Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of Public Security (MOP) and local governments. Thus there is no use if you download a JW202 form and fill it by yourself.
The Chinese embassy will only accept the JW202 form after the following procedure: 1. The JW202 form must be filled by your university in China in a formal and official way and also stamped and signed by the university chancellor. 2. The form must be submitted by the university to the local representative authorities of MOE and Chinese government for further approval. The above authorities will stamp the JW202 form in 1-2 weeks if it has passed the verification process.
SICAS Reminder: Please contact service@sicas.cn or your university if you still haven’t received the JW202 form when the starting date is approaching.
Do the Physical Examination
All students who will apply for an X Visa need to do a physical examination before applying for your visa. In most cases, you must submit the completed original physical examination record when you start to apply your X visa. You should better complete the physical examination in an official local hospital which is recognized by the Chinese embassy and it will make your visa application procedure more smoothly.
Check the website of your nearest Chinese Embassies or Chinese Consulates for details.
SICAS Reminder: You will also need the origin document of physical examination record to apply for a residence permit after your arrival in China. So be sure to take the physical record with you while coming to China.
Apply for an X
X1 Visa: Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days.
X2 Visa: Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days.
Documents needed for visa application:
A valid passport with at least six months remaining validity and at least one blank visa page in it;
Chinese visa application form: accurately, completely, and clearly filled out and signed.
Photo: one recent passport photo (2x2 inch)
Original and photocopy of Admission Notice (issued by the university in your offer package)
Original and photocopy of JW202 form (issued by the university in your admission package)
Visa fees (Fees vary from country to country)
The exact materials needed for a visa application vary from country to country. Other relevant application materials requested by visa officials may include:
Foreigner’s Physical Examination Record
Proof of financial means, including proof of scholarship, bank statements, employment status and income of guarantor).
Method of application and time for processing
Method:
Applicants can submit by themselves
Applicants can entrust someone or a travel agency to submit on his or her behalf
Applicants in some countries can apply visa by postal service as well.
SICAS Reminder: You may be required to go to the Chinese Consulate General for an interview if the Chinese Consulate General deems it necessary.
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. (It may vary according to countries)