JW201 and JW202 forms

JW201 and JW202 (Chinese: JW201表, JW202表) are the two versions of the form titled Visa Application for Study in China (外国留学人员来华签证申请表). A student receives one of them with the admission papers and presents it when applying for a study visa.

Definition

The Ministry of Education set out the difference in a published reply dated 15 February 2008:

• JW201 is used for Chinese Government Scholarship students and for students coming through intergovernmental exchange channels. The secretariat of the China Scholarship Council handles the formalities together with the university concerned.
• JW202 is used for self-funded students. Each university handles it for the international students it has admitted.

What the form is used for

According to the same reply, both forms are important documents for four steps: applying for the study visa, entering China, registering at the school, and handling residence formalities.

Who can issue a JW202

The reply states that every institution that enrols international students can provide the JW202. A private university may enrol international students once its provincial education department agrees, and may then obtain JW202 forms as needed.

Questions

Which form does a self-funded student get?

The JW202, from the university that admitted the student.

Does the student fill in the form?

The Ministry's reply describes the form as handled by the China Scholarship Council or by the university. It is issued to the student, not applied for by the student.

See also

X1 visa, admission notice, Chinese Government Scholarship, China Scholarship Council.

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Sources (read on 11 October 2026)

• Ministry of Education, reply of 15 February 2008 on forms JW201 and JW202 (in Chinese): http://www.moe.gov.cn/moe_879/moe_1252/s8447/201412/t20141204_179684.html

Unofficial entry. It defines terms and is not immigration advice.