X1 or X2, six required documents each produced a particular way, a six-step filing process, and the 30-day PSB clock that starts the moment the student lands.
Global Dao Consultants advises you not to worry on that count — we facilitate you by preparing your visa filing to the standard that results in your visa being granted.
Visa decisions rest entirely with the Chinese embassy and consulates. We prepare and file the dossier against their current checklist; we do not promise an outcome.
The only visa for studying in China is the China Student Visa. If you have secured admission to a Chinese university or college to pursue a degree programme — or even to learn Chinese for a semester, a year, or a short term such as the summer — this is the visa you need.
It is categorised into two main types, known as X1 and X2. Most international students get confused here, so the difference is set out in the table below.
The most important requirement for an international student is to secure admission to a university or other educational institution to study in China, for a degree or a language course. Internship organisations are also able to issue JW201 or JW202 documents with an admission letter, which is paramount to securing a China Student Visa.
| X1 — LONGER THAN 6 MONTHS | X2 — LESS THAN 6 MONTHS | |
|---|---|---|
| Study duration | Longer than 6 months, up to 360 days | Less than 6 months, up to 180 days |
| Entries | Multiple — leave and re-enter China freely for the duration | Single entry only |
| PSB registration | Required within 30 days of arrival, converting to a residence permit | Not applicable |
| Health certificate | Required | Not required |
| Re-entry | Permitted throughout — travel in Asia or visit home without re-applying | Cannot re-enter without applying for a new visa |
To apply for a China Student X visa, applicants need a set of documents to submit at the Chinese embassy in their country. Open any document to see exactly what the embassy expects.
The first document you need is a passport. The applicant must submit their own passport.
You will need to fill out the application form. Chinese embassies currently use online forms, while some are PDFs you download and complete. Check with your local embassy before taking any step.
The JW202 and JW201 are official documents issued by the Ministry of Education in China. They are powerful documents that embassies do not reject.
The admission notice comes from the institution offering the course or programme. It states your duration of study, city, name of institution and other personal details.
Check the Chinese embassy website for the current specification. These are the common requirements.
All X1 applicants must submit a health certificate showing they are fit to study in China.
At this stage applicants should make sure they have all the needed documentation. Our applicants are guided through the check process before anything is submitted.
You fill out the visa application form, review it, make sure all details are properly provided, and sign it. Online applications work the same way.
Most Chinese embassies now accept only online forms, so at this stage applicants submit all details online and make sure they are set for a visit.
You are now ready to book. Applicants are given a code and can select a date that works for them — you choose a date on which you can attend the embassy.
Some Chinese embassies require applicants to attend a compulsory interview. Where this is the case, the applicant is notified ahead of the date.
After submitting your documents the embassy provides the exact date on which you can collect your visa. Usually your visa should be ready around seven days after submission.
Chinese embassies charge visa processing fees to cover the administration of visa services. The fees are the same for all visa types, and the X student visa is no exception.
Applicants who wish to speed up the process, and cannot wait for normal processing, may apply for express service. Check the current timelines with your local embassy before booking flights.
Embassy, medical and attestation fees are paid by you, to them, on their receipts. We never collect third-party costs on your behalf.
It is important to check the specific requirements and procedures with the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country, as they may change without notice. Submit your visa application well in advance of your planned departure to allow sufficient time for processing.
The next important stage of admission is the embassy interview. Our expert team guides you through the tips and techniques to pass it.
See all our services →Where an interview is required, the applicant is notified ahead of the date. We run the mock session and debrief before that date, not after it.
The dossier is assembled and checked against the current embassy checklist before filing — admission letter, JW form, physical examination record, bank statement and police character certificate.