China, as a leader in economic growth, has become an enticing place for students from Europe, the United States, and other parts of Asia to pursue a degree abroad. This has prompted the search on how to get a student visa in China from these students. This article will address this.
International students will receive a rigorous but comprehensive education, and their career prospects will be enhanced. Aside from excellent teaching, you will be immersed in Chinese culture, which will undoubtedly broaden your life perspectives and personal goals.
However, once you’ve been accepted to a Chinese university, you’ll need to apply for a student visa in China.
Types Of Student Visa In China
International students should apply for one of the following visas before traveling to China, depending on the length of their studies:
- F visa for students studying in China for less than six months.
- X visa for students who intend to study in China for a period of more than six months.
You have 30 days after your arrival to apply for a Residence Permit for Foreigners, which will allow you to stay in China for the duration of your studies. You can apply for a residence permit at the local public security bureau’s exit-entry administration division.
How Students Visa Works in China
Citizens of the European Union (EU) and other countries (for example, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and so on) can apply through the CVASC (Chinese VISA Application Service Centre). If your home country does not have a CVASC office, you can apply at the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate.
Apply in person or with the help of a travel agency or visa agency if you cannot come in person. Since mailed applications are not accepted, most Chinese embassies will refuse them.
Most embassies and consulates do not require an appointment. You are welcome to visit the visa office during business hours, but it is usually best if you arrive before 11:30 a.m. If you apply through CVASC, you may be required to schedule an online appointment on the website.
You should apply for a study visa for China about one month before your intended date of arrival, but no earlier than three months before that date. All Chinese embassies are typically very efficient, with visa processing times of one week or less. However, in order to avoid any delays or problems, we recommend that you begin the visa application process as soon as possible.
Requirements Or Eligibility Criteria for Student Visa in China
When applying for a student visa in China, you would need a variety of documentation. Most of them are-
- Authentic passport (with at least one blank page and valid for at least 6 months after your expected date of departure from China)
- Completed application form
- Original passport-sized photograph and a copy of the university’s acceptance letter
- Evidence of payment of the visa application fee (around 66 USD)
- Previous Chinese passport photocopies (only applicable to foreign citizens who were once Chinese citizens and have obtained foreign citizenship)
- Proof of legal status in the country where you’re applying for the visa, such as a resident permit (if applying for the visa outside your home country)
- Airplane tickets and hotel reservations must be copied.
- Applicants over the age of 18 who intend to study in China for more than 180 days must provide a valid physical examination record.
- You may be required to provide additional documentation depending on your nationality.
- Indian nationals are eligible to apply for a student visa to China. The China Embassy in India issues student visas for Chinese citizens.
- If a Chinese educational institute has invited the applicant, they must submit the invitation letter along with the application form.
- Indian nationals with an Indian passport may apply for a student visa to China. The passport, however, must be valid for at least six months from the intended date of travel to China.
- An applicant must have a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of travel.
- Applicants who want to extend the duration of their visa will have to leave China and reapply for the visa from their home country.
Documents That’ll Assist You in Tracking the Status of your Visa
- The number on a passport
- Application identifier.
- The applicant can check the status of their visa application on the website of the China Embassy in India.
- Once you’ve located the embassy’s website, you can track your visa application by providing your application number.
- By submitting your name, birth date, and Application number, you will be able to check the status as well
- There is also an option to track the China student visa from India via various portals by submitting your name (as it appears on the application form), birth date, and passport number along with the application number.
- After submitting your application, you will be given a tracking ID. This tracking ID will assist you in tracking your application through the embassy’s website.
- Using a passport as a tracking device
- If you applied through a consultancy or a Visa service provider, you can track the status of your application by submitting your passport number to the relevant service provider.
Read this article: How to Get Korean Student Visa | Step-by-Step Procedures
How Long Is the China Student Visa Valid?
You may not stay past the expiration date of your visa. We consider overstaying an offense, and you will face fines and deportation if you do. It is one of the basic requirements of the visa that you do not overstay your stay. You must leave the country before the specified date. If you want to stay longer in the country, you can apply for a visa extension or a new visa.
Fees and Cost of Student Visa In China
The fee for an X visa is the same as it is for any other type of Chinese visa. Since an X1 visa only allows for one entry and Chinese embassies and consulates rarely issue multiple-entry X2 visas, we only list single-entry and double-entry X visa fees for reference.
It should cost around $140 for a single entry.
How To Apply For Student Visa In China?
So because China student visa application process is conducted offline, the Chinese government has made no online provisions. You can complete the China student visa application form offline, and if the applicant is processing on his or her own, the form may need to be submitted to the embassy.
Since it is a delicate procedure, and any mistakes can cause visa delays or denials, it is best to have it done by visa experts. Furthermore, a team of experts in providing visa services can assist you throughout the visa process.
Guide to Help You Understand the Application Process Student Visa in China
- You must complete the application form for the China student visa offline. To avoid further delays, the details in the application form must be filled out carefully and without major errors.
- After completing the application form, the applicant must gather all the required documents as listed by the Chinese government.
- After gathering the required documents, the applicant must submit the application form to the China embassy on their own. However, if you want to avoid making mistakes, you can seek the help of experts.
- They will accept no documents through emails.
- Before the embassy verification, the documents must be examined. Normally, the application takes at least four days to process.
- International students must get the forms JW201 and JW202 from the school where they intend to enroll.
- The JW201 form is given to international students who are receiving scholarships from the Chinese government.
- While the JW202 form is issued to self-sponsored international students.
- You may apply in person to the consular offices of Chinese embassies, consulates, or China Visa Application Centers (CVASC).
- Alternatively, if you cannot travel personally, you can entrust someone else (e.g., friends, relatives), a travel agency, or a visa agency to act on your behalf. There is no need for a power of attorney.
- Most Chinese embassies and consulates refuse mailed applications, but many CVASCs accept them.
- Most embassies and consulates do not require an appointment. However, if you are required to apply to CVASC, you may be required to schedule an online appointment through CVASC’s website.
Student Visa Processing Time in China
The verification of documents is critical in determining the time required for the visa process. It is critical to avoid making any major mistakes on the application form. Document submission is possible after thorough verification of the documents.
The application process for a China student visa could take at least four working days. Express service is available from the Chinese government. The express service could last at least two working days.
The normal processing time is four working days. If you need your visa sooner, there are express and rush services available.
- Express Service: Processing takes 2-3 working days; an additional $20 will be charged.
- Rush Service: 1 working day processing for an additional $30.
Can I Get A Student Visa In China Without IELTS?
There are no language requirements for obtaining a Chinese study visa. However, because most universities offer English-taught courses, proof of English language proficiency will be required during the application process.
Some of the most popular English tests accepted by Chinese universities are as follows:
- TOEFL iBT
- PTE Academic
- IELTS
During your interview at the Chinese embassy or consulate, you will also be required to speak in one of the international languages; most likely, English will be the easiest and most convenient
Working While Studying In China
You may not work on the X visa. However, off-campus part-time work and internships may be permitted. After you have arrived in China, contact your university or employer to see what arrangements we can make.
Foreign students who work in violation of Chinese regulations or beyond the prescribed scope of jobs or time limit will be considered unlawful employees and will most likely be required to stop or be expelled.
Frequently Asked Questions
X-visas are typically issued with a single entry, are valid for three months, and have no maximum stay period (that is 000 days of stay). To avoid an illegal stay in China, holders of student visas should apply for a residence permit at a local public security bureau within 30 days of entering the country.
To be clear, all 10-year validity visas are still suspended and cannot be used to enter China, regardless of visa type. You can now apply if you have an expired residence permit. Since the COVID 19 pandemic, you will need to apply for a new/temporary China visa in order to enter China.
Foreign nationals can get work permits in China in two ways. You may be eligible for a work permit if you have a qualified Bachelor’s degree and two years of overseas experience. To be exempt from the required experience, you must hold a Master’s degree or higher from a Chinese university.
Yes. International students are allowed to study in China.
You should apply for a study visa for China about one month before your intended date of arrival, but no earlier than three months before that date. All Chinese embassies are typically very efficient, with visa processing times of one week or less.
Conclusion
China has welcomed innovations. However, it has also invited investors and students to join the development race. It’s no surprise that the number of students visiting the country for educational purposes is growing.
Getting a student visa in China from anywhere in the world has never been difficult, but it has also never been simple. The following guide above would assist you in comprehending the entire process of obtaining a student visa in China.
References
- mastersportal.com– How to get a student visa for China
- china-scholar.com– Visa process
- btwvisas.com– China student visa
- mfa.gov.cn– Student visa in China
- iso.fudan.edu.cn– How to get a student visa in China