How to Apply for China Student Visa Requirements

As an international student wishing to study in China, you must apply for a student visa at least one month in advance. The sort of visa you apply for will be determined by the length of your education.

X1 visas are intended for undergraduate and postgraduate students who will be studying overseas for six months to five years. For people who have enrolled in courses lasting less than six months, X2 visas provide a short-term option.

The cost of a Chinese student visa varies according to nationality. As a preliminary estimate, US students would spend $140, while UK students will pay £151.

Chinese Student Visa Application Method

• Accept a place at your university: You may be required to pay a deposit before obtaining an official admissions letter.
• Get your JW201 or JW202 form here: Your institution will give you a JW201 or JW202 form, often known as a foreign student visa application form, after you have been accepted. The JW201 is for students who have received a scholarship, whereas the JW202 is for students who are self-funded.
• Fill out the JW201 or JW202 form: Check that you have completed all sections of the form and signed it.
• Compile documentation: A variety of supporting documentation must be submitted (see list below).
• Send your application to: Citizens of the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada, and Australia can apply through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC). 
  If your nation does not have a CVASC, you can apply through the Chinese embassy or consulate nearest to you.
• Get the outcome: Applications are often processed in less than a week, so you won’t have to wait long.
• Become a member of the exit and entrance administration bureau: You must apply for a temporary residency permit within 30 days of your arrival. 
  This practically substitutes your student visa and permits you to stay in the country during your studies.
• Have a medical examination: In order to change your visa into a temporary residence permit, you must have a physical examination, which costs around RMB 622 (US$88). Some nations’ citizens are required to undergo this physical examination before entering China.

Documents required

The most significant aspect of the visa application procedure is submitting all of the documentation needed by the Chinese authorities. Check to ensure that the papers are comprehensive, correct, and legal.

The following is a list of the required documentation:

1. A valid passport with an expiry date at least six months after the application date
2. A official acceptance letter on letterhead with the university seal
3. A JW201 or JW202 form that has been completed
4. A passport-style colour image that captures your whole face
5. Payment for your visa application has been received.
6. Flight numbers, dates, and times, as well as your return ticket
7. Specifics about your lodging arrangements
8. Physical examination test evidence (if required)

Working while in China to study

Part-time work to finance your education is occasionally permitted, but you must first obtain authorization from your university and the Chinese immigration authorities. You must also go to a police station and request that your visa be stamped with ‘part-time work.’

Changing employment often in China is frowned upon and may result in difficulty. So only commit to a job if you’re certain it’s the appropriate fit for you.

What should you do if your visa is denied?

Don’t get discouraged if your initial application is denied because China has famously tight visa regulations and low approval rates.

Although visa refusal is upsetting, you can appeal the decision or reapply. If you decide to reapply, do not just resubmit the same application. Without certain improvements, additional refusal is likely certain.

The Chinese authorities are not required to explain why your application was refused, although the following are frequent reasons:

1. Errors in the form
2. There is no documentation.
3. Financial resources are limited.
4. Insufficient evidence that you will return home following your stay

Eliminating these flaws on your second try will increase your chances of acceptance.