Studying in China
- pre_application Blocks your application
JW201 or JW202 form — the admission letter alone is NOT enough
For an X1 visa the applicant must submit BOTH the admission notice AND certification from the competent authority — the JW201 form for government-scholarship students or JW202 for self-funded students. Students frequently arrive at the visa office with only the admission letter and are turned away.
- When
- after_offer
sydney.china-consulate.gov.cn · 2026-08-17 · Ministry of Education of the PRC / Ministry of Foreign Affairs
To apply for the X1 visa, the applicant shall, in accordance with relevant provisions, submit the admission notice issued by the admission institution and the certification documents provided by the competent authority
- visaMandatory
X1 vs X2 — the 180-day threshold decides everything downstream
China splits the student visa by duration: X1 for study over 180 days, X2 for 180 days or fewer. Only X1 converts to a residence permit after arrival. A degree student is always X1, and accepting an X2 for a degree course is a dead end.
- When
- before_travel
sydney.china-consulate.gov.cn · 2026-08-17 · National Immigration Administration of the PRC
The X1 visa is issued to persons who apply for long-term study in China; the X2 visa is for persons who apply for short-term study in China
- visaMandatory
X1 Student Visa (study over 180 days)
Programmes longer than 180 days require an X1 visa, which needs the JW201 or JW202 confirmation form plus the admission notice.
- When
- before_travel
sydney.china-consulate.gov.cn · 2026-08-17 · Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC
For persons studying in China long-term, exceeding 180 days: a copy of the Visa Application for Study in China Confirmation Form (JW201 or JW202 form) and the original or copy of the school's admission notice.
- visaMandatory
X2 Student Visa (study 180 days or less)
Programmes of 180 days or less use an X2 visa and the admission letter. JW201 and JW202 forms are not required.
- When
- before_travel
sydney.china-consulate.gov.cn · 2026-08-17 · Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC
For persons studying in China short-term, not exceeding 180 days: original or copy of the Short-Term Study in China Information Form (DQ form, if applicable).
- healthMandatory
Health certificate for any permit over one year
A residence permit valid for more than a year requires a health certificate from a quarantine authority or a medical institution above county level, certifying absence of serious mental disorder, tuberculosis or other infectious diseases posing substantial hazard to public health.
- When
- after_arrival
en.nia.gov.cn · 2026-08-17 · National Immigration Administration / health and quarantine authorities
a health certificate issued by the local health and quarantine authority or health and medical institution above county level, certifying that the applicant does not have serious mental disorder, tuberculosis or other infectious diseases which may potentially cause substantial hazard to public healt
- registrationMandatory
Residence permit within 30 days of entry
An X1 holder must apply for the residence permit at the local public security exit-entry office within 30 days of entry. Missing it puts the student out of status. Fee is CNY 400 for up to a year, 800 for one to three years, 1,000 for three to five.
- Takes
- 30d
- Costs
- CNY 400
- When
- after_arrival
en.nia.gov.cn · 2026-08-17 · National Immigration Administration / exit-entry departments of public security organs
Where a foreigner's visa indicates that application for residence permit is required after entry, an application shall be filed at the exit and entry departments of public security organs in the intended place of residence within 30 days after entry.
- registrationMandatory
Accommodation registration with police within 24 HOURS
⚠ THE TIGHTEST DEADLINE IN THIS DATABASE. Anyone not staying in a hotel must, together with whoever accommodates them, register with the local police within 24 hours of arrival. Hotels do this for you; private rentals and off-campus housing do not. Enforced with fines, and must be repeated after every address change and every re-entry to China.
- Takes
- 1d
- When
- after_arrival
en.nia.gov.cn · 2026-08-17 · Public security organs / National Immigration Administration
For foreigners who reside or stay in domiciles other than hotels, they or the persons who accommodate them shall, within 24 hours after the foreigners' arrival, go through the registration formalities with the public security organs in the places of residence.
- language_certification
NO national HSK requirement
CHECKED, NONE FOUND at immigration level. Neither the Exit and Entry Administration Law nor the Regulations impose an HSK level as a condition of the X1/X2 visa or the residence permit. HSK thresholds are set by individual universities; English-taught programmes typically require none.
- When
- before_application
en.nia.gov.cn · 2026-08-17 · Ministry of Education of the PRC — institution level; no immigration requirement
To apply for the X1 visa, the applicant shall, in accordance with relevant provisions, submit the admission notice issued by the admission institution and the certification documents provided by the competent authority
- work_rights
Part-time work requires an endorsement on the residence permit
A student residence permit does not itself allow work. A student wanting part-time work or an off-campus internship must first get the school's approval, then have the details recorded on the residence permit before starting.
- When
- ongoing
en.nia.gov.cn · 2026-08-17 · National Immigration Administration
Where a foreigner holding a residence permit for students intends to work part-time or take internship outside the school/university, the applicant shall, with the approval of the school/university, apply to the exit and entry departments