China study visa became very popular in the last decade, mainly because china became the best spot for international students due to its easy visa procedure compared to Europe, USA and UK.
The Chinese government scholarship Along with some other scholarships has encouraged international students to pursue their Bachelors, Masters & Phd studies in china.
There is unlimited but very outdated information about the student visa process to china. Which compels us to write this ultimate china study visa guide.
It is very detailed & to the point.
It will solve all your queries about fee structure, visa documentation, how to apply for it, and how to ace an embassy interview.
At the end of the guide, students will also find FAQs & summary of the whole guide.
Check Australia Study visa Guide and Canada study visa guide.
Read updated guides about German study visa & Hungary study visa.
China study visa
1. Types of china study visa for International Students
3. China study Visa process time
4. Documents required for china study visa
5. How to apply for a china study visa
6. Interview Questions for china study visa
7. Frequently asked questions (FAQS)
Want to study in Uk for free? here is the ultimate guide for the Chevening and Commonwealth scholarship.
1. Types of china student visas
International students who want to apply for china will either apply for an X1 or X2 type study visa.
The difference between X1 & X2 china study visas is clearly shown in the table.
|
X1 china study Visa |
X2 china study Visa |
|
It’s for Long term stay. X1 visa is Valid for More than 180 days |
It’s for Short term stay. X2 visa is only valid for Less than 180 days. |
|
Required temporary residence permit from PSB (public security bureau ) within 30 days |
No residence permit is required. |
|
Students can do multiple entries. |
Students can’t do multiple entries with X2 visa. |
If you want to study in Korea for free, find out our detailed guide about Kaist Scholarship.
2. China Student Visa Fee
Technically china has a different visa fee for every country and it changes with time.
It depends on the applicant’s nationality,
visa center they are applying from,
express service (If they need it)
and the number of entries.
Below I will show you a method to find the exact fee of your particular country in a specific china visa center.
A: Go to visa for china, select your country & visa application center.
“General Information” > “Knowledge” > “Payment method & schedule of fees”.
Here you will find all the updated details about your study visa fee.
Remember the “Total amount which the applicant will pay” = “ Visa fee + visa application.”
B: Some countries are excluded from paying china visa fees like Pakistan, Slovakia, Maldives, the Republic of Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, etc don’t need today for a china visa.
C: The more entries the applicant has the more visa fee they need to pay.
Unlike Europe, USA, Uk & Australia where applicants pay the exact amount per visa category.
china study Visa fees for some countries are given below.
|
Country |
One entry Fee |
Double Entry fee |
|
USA |
$140 |
$140 |
|
UK |
£151 |
£151 |
|
Pakistan |
0 RS (only service charges 8300 PKR) |
0 RS (only service charges 8300 PKR) |
|
India |
₹3900 |
₹5850 |
|
Italy |
€127 |
€127 |
|
Germany |
€125.45 |
€125.45 |
|
Canada |
Ca$ 157.75 |
Ca$ 157.75 |
|
Australia |
Au$ 109 |
Au$ 139 |
|
France |
€126 |
€126 |
Applicants from other countries can check their visa fee details by the method mentioned above in “Point A.”
Generally speaking, For European students, the China study visa cost 120-130 Euros. Remember Some china visa centers (like in Pakistan & India) only accepts cash, while others (like in London) Accepts both cash & debit card. They have to fill out a payment form.
Check step by step process of Italy study visa.
3. China study Visa process time
For the regular applicant, the Chinese visa processing time is 4-6 working days.
If the applicant wants to do it faster then with the help of express service it can be done in 2-3 days, But extra charges will apply.
in some china visa centers, there is a rush service that requires only one day for a visa to process.
Remember visa processing time depends on your nationality, the bilateral ties between your country with china, and the number of applicants applying in that center.
Some visa centers like “Islamabad” etc can take a little longer due to a huge number of applicants.
Check our detailed guide about Spain student visas.
4. Documents Required for China Study Visa
9. Police Clearance Certificate
11. Bank Statement for Chinese Study Visa
13. Hope certificate (Optional)
14. Language Certificates (English/Chinese) (Optional)
15. Copy of Hotel Reservation & Flight Booking (optional)
16. No Objection Certificate (Optional)
17. Certificates of extracurricular achievements (Optional)
Here is our detailed guide about the Netherlands Study visa.
1. Visa Application form for china study visa
International students can fill out their china study visa application form here,
Select your country & visa center that is near to you,
Choose either the “X1” or “X2” visa category according to your need and complete the application.
Print out the completed visa form single-sided (mostly 8 pages) & carry it with you on the date of appointment to the visa center.
Remember to use “N/A“ if any section in the visa form is not applicable to you. Don’t just leave it blank.
2. Valid Passport
A. The passport should have at least one year of validity after a period of stay in china.
B. All previous passports must be attached. (If you have any)
3. Passport-size photographs
A. Two color photos (48×33 mm size).
B. White background for the last 6 months period.
Here is the sample detail on how to take pictures for a Chinese visa.
Remember, If the online form mentioned that your photo is not qualified and cannot be uploaded, just make sure to bring an appropriate photograph to the center when you come to submit your application.
4. Academic Documents for China Study Visa
It includes all academic records & certificates.
A. Certificate & transcript of Bachelor’s (If a student is applying for a master’s program)
B. Certificate & transcript of Master’s (If a student is applying for a PhD program)
C. Transcript (DMCs) of Matric & FSC and certificates (if a student is applying for a bachelor’s degree)
D. Proficiency certificate in English from the university.
E. Course summary which explains current courses & previous courses.
F. Provide two Recommendation Letters from your university along with the referee’s details.
If the applicants’ documents are not in English, they must translate them into English or Chinese.
Translated Documents contain:
A. Confirmation from Translation Company/Translator
B. Translation Date
C. Name and Signature of the Translator
D. Translator’s Contact Details
NOTE:
Respective universities and boards must attest the above documents for China study visa. In the case of Pakistan, The above-mentioned documents must be attested by IBCC, HEC, and MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
IBCC authority is only responsible for the attestation of metric and inter documents.
Dear offices are present in Peshawar, Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and also in other cities of Pakistan.
HEC office attests bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. documents.
Check our detailed guide about Finland student visa.
5. Admission letter
While going for the visa appointment, International students must carry an “Admission letter” from the university or in some cases “invitation letter” from the supervisor. It is the most important document.
The admission letter also gave you priority in attaining a Chinese government scholarship.
The admission letter must contain all the personal information of the applicant,
details of the lessons,
& the validity of the course (Starting & ending date).
The admission letter can be faxed or color printed at the time of visa submission.
Chinese Visa officers can ask for the original in some cases.
6. JW202 or JW201 form
Your host university/institute or organization in china must send you Either JW202 or JW201 form, depending upon your requirement.
JW202 form is for those students who are self-sponsored. (Who will finance themselves during their entire stay in china)
While students who are funded by Chinese government scholarship will acquire JW201 form.
7. CNIC & Birth certificate
Applicants should carry both original & photocopies of their “National identity card” & “Birth certificate” to the visa center.
8. Health Certificate for china study visa
In China, it is also known as the “Foreign physical examination form”. It basically states whether the international student is fit to study in china or not.
It is compulsory for X1 visa Applicants, who wish to study in china for more than 6 months.
The official stamp of the hospital, medical checkup date (validity) & sign of the physician should be on the form. It should be renewed after every six months.
It includes medical checkups for Malaria, dengue, Anti-HIV, RPR, Yellow fever, TPPA, Cholera, Influenza, HbsAg, AntiHCV, ALT/GPT, Chest tablets, and X-ray examination, etc.
Here students can download the foreigner physical examination form.
9. Police clearance certificate for china study visa
PCC is required for X1 study visa applicants, who want to study in china for more than 6 months.
It can be issued even by your local security police station or many international students can also make it online.
It shows that the applicant doesn’t have a criminal record.
Indian students can make it through Passport seva, and Pakistani students can make it in “Police Khidmat Markaz” or ICTP app or ICTP website.
10. Health Insurance for china study visa
It is a requirement of the Ministry of education of china. Every international student is required to be medically insured during their stay in china.
The medical insurance for one year is CNY 800 (€109 ) and for one semester it is CNY 400 (€54).
The good news chinese government scholarship, already covered the medical insurance for its funded international students.
Medical insurance of applicants who are already awarded Chinese government scholarship, will automatically get Medical insurance of CNY 800 (111 USD) for students enrolled in full-year programs, and CNY 400 (55 USD) for programs for students enrolled in less than 6 months of programs.
However, self-sponsored students need to pay for their medical health insurance.
It is even required by some Chinese universities to register students only after their payment of health insurance.
11. Bank Statement for Chinese Study Visa
International students should provide their bank account details for the last six months.
If their personal bank details aren’t available they can also show their parents, brothers, or sisters’ bank statements for the last six months.
The bank statement for the china study visa must be signed & stamped by the respective bank & the amount in the bank should be more than 2500 USD for X1 study visa applicants.
12. CV (Optional)
CV is compulsory for the university admission process and optional for embassy interviews.
It should contain all the contact details and academic information.
Students can make a perfect Cv in Europass here in under a few minutes.
13. HOPE Certificate (Optional)
It is only needed if the student is still studying or currently enrolled. In that case, the university will issue a certificate of the expected graduation date.
which is also called the hope certificate.
Q: Can I apply with the 7th-semester transcript to a Chinese university?
Yes, you can. By getting a “Hope certificate” from the university.
Students can attach the “Hope certificate” along with all the academic documents & fill out the admission application.
Sometimes, the Chinese university’s admission process takes time due to the huge number of applicants from around the world.
So students can get the 8th-semester transcript by then.
What is Hope certificate?
In simple words, It is a certificate based on the previous semester’s performance, that indicates that the candidate will pass the final exams with excellent results.
Hope certificate is also known as an “Expected graduation letter”.
14. Language Certificates (English/Chinese) (Optional)
Language certificates are a requirement of universities basically, It is not required by Chinese embassies per se, but they can certainly give an advantage to the applicant.
14.1. Chinese Proficiency Certificate: (Incase taught language is Chinese)
Undergraduates, general scholars & Senior scholars all need to pass & submit HSK level 3.
While postgraduate students are required to pass HSK level 4.
14.2. English proficiency certificate: (Incase taught language is English)
Students need to fulfill the English criteria of their designated Chinese universities.
That could be in the form of IELTS or TOFEL or English proficiency certificates.
Many Chinese universities DO NOT require IELTS or TOEFL. Students can provide an English proficiency certificate from their university & can get admission.
15. Copy of Hotel Reservation & Flight Booking (optional)
The booking confirms the arrival date in a particular country. The hotel reservation shows that a student researched the process.
16. No Objection Certificate (Optional)
It also varies from country to country. It is compulsory for some countries and known as NOC. The university issued this document that tells students to return to their country.
The Dean or HOD of the university must write NOC.
This letter will include that the student is applying for a study visa to China.
The student will return to the country after completing their education.
Check our detailed guide about Norway student visas.
17. Certificates of extracurricular achievements (Optional)
These certificates include internship certificates and experience letters.
The embassy gives extra value to these certificates.
If You have any questions related to your China study visa or any other study visa, you can also contact us for a live one-on-one session.
Whatsapp Contact: +393512735708
5. How to Apply for China Study Visa
Students can apply for a China study visa in 5 easy steps.
1. Get an admission letter
Find out your desired Chinese university here, & your desired English-taught programs in china here.
If you get admission to the university they will send you an admission letter and a JW202 or JW201 form, depending upon your requirement.
2. Prepare the documents
The next step is to prepare the list of documents we discussed above in detail.
3. Apply for CGS: (Optional)
This one is an extra step. International students have the option to apply for Chinese government scholarship also. It will ease up a lot of financial burdens.
4. Fill the visa application form:
The 4th step is to fill out the china study visa application form.
Select your country & visa center that is near to you,
Choose either the “X1” or “X2” visa category according to your need and complete the application.
Print out the completed visa form single-sided (mostly 8 pages) & carry it with you on the date of appointment to the visa center.
Remember to use N/A if any section in the visa form is not applicable to you. Don’t just leave it blank.
5. Interview & result
The 5th & last step is to appear for the interview on the appointment date with all the documents which we discussed above in detail.
After the interview, wait for the result. It could take up to one week.
Below you can find the possible china study visa interview questions.
6. Interview Questions for China Study Visa
There are common questions student face during their visa interview. These questions vary from profile to profile and are given below.
Name of the student & questions about previous educational qualification?
What is your purpose for going to china?
Did you already search for opportunities in your home country?
Where is the university located in china?
Who is your sponsor? What is your relationship? (If you have any)
What is your course structure or Course summary?
Which course you will start at the university?
Why did you choose this university and subject?
How will this course shape your career?
How did you find this university?
What are your plans after the completion of the course?
When will your course start?
Why did you choose China and not another country?
Can you name other cities where famous universities exist?
Did u do an examination or a test made by the university?
Where will you stay in china? And Who advised this accommodation and how much will be?
Please name the person with whom you are in contact at the university?
How much do you expect to spend per month in your destination city? On your rent, food & fee.
Is there any information to tell us to support your application?
7. FAQS about China study visa
Q: what is the difference between the JW201 form & JW202 form?
Your host university/institute or organization in china must send you Either JW202 or JW201 form, depending upon your requirement.
JW202 form is for those students who are self-sponsored. (Who will finance themselves during their entire stay in china)
While students who are funded by Chinese government scholarship, will acquire JW201 form.
Here is our detailed guide about Sweden study visas.
Q: Is PCC necessary for study visa in china?
YES. It is compulsory. PCC is required for X1 study visa applicants, who want to study in china for more than 6 months.
It can be issued even by your local security police station or many international students can also make it online.
It shows that the applicant doesn’t have a criminal record.
Indian students can make it through Passport seva, and Pakistani students can make it in “Police Khidmat Markaz” or ICTP app or ICTP website.
Q: what is the study visa fee for Pakistani students in china?
8300 PKR. Technically Pakistani citizens are excluded to pay any fee for a china visa, due to good bilateral relations between the countries.
However, a small amount of operational fee (8300 PKR) is charged, due to a huge number of applicants.
Here is the detail.
Q: What is the study visa fee for Indian students in china?
Indian students will pay ₹3900 for a china study visa for a single entry. And for double entry, they will pay ₹5850.
Here is the detail.
Q: How much in advance I should apply for a china study visa?
In order to plan your traveling, it is advised that student should apply one month before their arrival date in china. However they cannot apply more than 3 months before.
Q: Is it necessary to have an admission letter for china study visa?
YES. “University admission letter” or “Invitation letter” from supervisor is necessary. It can be faxed or color printed at the time of visa submission.
Chinese Visa officer hold the authority to ask for the original in some cases.
The admission letter should contain applicant information & details about the enrolled course.
8. Summary of china study visa guide
- Get admission to a Chinese university.
- Prepare the set of documents discussed above.
- Apply for a visa, get the appointment date & appear for the interview. (As above mentioned in detail)
- Wait for the result. Good luck.
If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to ask us in the comments.
If You have any questions related to your china study visa or any other study visa, you can also contact us for a live one-on-one session.
Whatsapp Contact: +393512735708
