When you are applying for a visa to study in China you need to apply for a student visa, or X-visa. This is only if you are going to study in China for over 6 months, otherwise you need to apply for a Business visa, or F-visa. When applying for a student visa you need to do/have/provide the following documents:
- An original passport which is valid for at least 18 months from the date of application
- A completed Visa application form (Download)
- A completed supplemental information form (Download)
- A recent passport-photo
- Visa Application for Study in China (Form JW-201 or Form JW-202, original and copy);
- Admission Notice (original and copy)
Those last two documents should be made available by your educational institution in China. Upon acceptation of your studying period they will send you the JW form and admission notice. Bring both the original and a copy to the visa agency when applying for a Student visa for China. Please note that when you plan on studying in China for under 6 months, and thus applying for a Business visa (F-visa), you also have to bring the JW forms and the admission notice.
You will also need to complete a physical examination (Download form).Upon arrival in China you will need to complete a physical examination. This must be done one month before departure to China. Below are the requirements for this physical examination and the form:
1. The original “Physical Examination Record for Foreigner” is requested;
2. The valid period of “Physical Examination Record for Foreigner” is six months
3. The original record should stick one photo on the upper right corner with a hospital seal upon it
4. There should be a doctor’s signature and date at the end of the record together with a hospital seal
5. If you need copy the blank “Physical Examination Record for Foreigner”, please print two sides in one piece of paper (Don’t print the record in two separate pieces of paper);
6. Your original blood lab reports for AIDS, Syphilis, ECG report, X-ray report should be attached to the record
It is also possible to take this physical examination when you have arrived in China. When doing the physical examination in China, or verifying the physical examination record you will need to take the following documents:
- Admission notice or student ID card
- A copy of passport
- Two passport sized photos
- Around 400 RMB for the physical examination, or 60 RMB for verification
It is possible that when you receive your visa it will show that the duration of your stay is 000 days. This means that it is still to be determined. Upon arrival in China you will need to report to the police station and register your residence. Your visa will then be converted into a residence permit.
