Obtaining a student visa in China

This guide focuses on those visiting China to study only. For those pursuing a work or a tourist visa, check out these separate guides for obtaining a working visa, and a tourist visa respectively.

So – you have decided to study in China (GOOD CHOICE!), and now wondering how to organize your student visa…

Understand if you need a short-term or long-term student visa (it matters!)

There are 2 different student visas available for China:

• Long term study (more than 180 days) – X1 visa
• Short term study (less than 180 days) – X2 visa

It’s very important you apply for the right visa, as otherwise you may get rejected and have to reapply. You should know exactly how long your course will be from your admission letter from the university/institution you will be attending.

Fill out your application form online

Note: You should not apply for a Chinese visa more than 3 months in advance of starting your course.

If you search ‘Chinese visa’, a whole list of agencies will be at the top of the search bar, promoting their services. Rest assured that you do not require an agent to submit your application. Of course you can if you want, but there is little advantage when it can be easily done yourself without spending more money.

The official website to fill out your visa application is called ‘Visa for China’, and can be found here: https://bio.visaforchina.cn/LON3_EN/qianzhengyewu

The website looks like this:

Note: the top right sets my location to London, as this is the nearest visa centre to me. It’s important you check your location is correct before starting otherwise you will need to start over.

From here, click on the first question (Please select your passport type), and simply select the options that apply. It should lead you to a student visa application form.

As above – ensure you do not apply for your visa more than 3 months in advance of your course. You will still be able to proceed by clicking ‘continue’, but understand your visa may expire before you get there if you apply too early (see below):

To continue the application you will need to make an account, which is easy enough with just an email address:

Once you’ve made an account it should be plain sailing from there. Fill out all your details to the best of your ability, and then prepare your documents to take to you to the Visa Application Centre.

Prepare your paper documents

I cannot stress enough – print all the documents and have them with you. They will not accept electronic copy of anything, and if you are missing a document you will need to find a local printer shop and pay extortionate fees to print per page (in London anyway!)

The website will specify clearly what documents you need to bring on the day, but as a minimum you will need these documents printed and bought with you.

Printed copies of the following (minimum):

• Your completed application form
• 1x passport photo headshot
• A photocopy of your passport
• Photocopies of any previous Chinese visas (if applicable)
• Copy of formal admission notice from school/entity in China
• Proof of legal status in the country you are applying from

There may be other documents required which will be detailed on your specific application form, but ensure as a minimum the above documents are printed out and with you for the appointment, to save you time and effort down the line.

Tip: If you are under 18 there are additional documents to submit, including parents’ permission. Make sure you check the website and include everything.

Submit your application in-person

A few years ago we used to be able to apply for a Chinese visa via the post. Those days are long gone and now we need to attend in-person each time, with paper documents.

Depending on the visa centre you will either make an appointment, or you can go anytime while its open (London recently removed their appointment booking system so now it’s a walk-in service).

Once arrived, you will do a lot of queuing so best to prepare some snacks and entertainment. It’s a ticket-based system (whether you have an appointment or not), and you need to wait for your number to be called.

Once your number is called, you will need to submit your documents, fingerprints, and speak with the visa officer to explain your purpose of entering China and answer any questions. 

After submission, you will be given another ticket to go to the payment booth. Here it’s another round of waiting to pay for your application and get a receipt/pick-up form which you will need to bring back in order to collect you passport later.

Tip: They usually take debit card only, not credit card. Make sure you don’t get caught out!

Pick up your visa

For those who didn’t purchase the optional postal return service, you will need to return to the same place to pick up your passport, which hopefully has a shiny new Chinese visa inside.

The agent would have advised you on when your passport would be ready to collect, and it is usually very quick. I paid for standard turn-around time and my passport was ready within 7 days.

Picking up your visa does not require an appointment and again is a ticket-based system, but usually much quicker. You wait to be called and then the agent will return your passport. No other documents will be returned to you (which is why they need photocopies of everything).

Tip: Check your visa there and then. Ensure everything is correct including your name, passport number, duration of stay, number of entries, and expiry date.

Category should be ‘X2’ for short term study, or ‘X1’ for long term study.  Entries will usually be 01 (which means you can’t exit China and return on the same visa).

Note – for long term students applying for the X1 visa you have more steps to do when you get to China! Your initial visa will be for 30 days only to allow you to apply for a temporary residence permit. I’ve written a quick additional guide here for your additional steps once you get to China.

Celebrate obtaining your student Chinese visa – the hard bit is over!

That’s it, you have your Chinese visa in the bag. Next step is to start packing!! Check out my packing recommendations for your upcoming trip, and important apps to download before you fly.