X1 and X2 visa (China study visas)
Unofficial entry · Sources checked
X1 and X2 (Chinese: X1字签证, X2字签证) are the two categories of ordinary visa that China issues to people coming to study. They differ only in the length of study they cover.
Definition
The Regulations on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners list both in Article 6, item 11:
- 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.
Article 36 of the same regulations defines the two terms. Short-term means a stay of no more than 180 days, including the 180th day. Long-term means more than 180 days.
How the two differ
| X1 | X2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Study period | More than 180 days | 180 days or less |
| Documents named in Article 7 | Admission notice and certification documents from the competent authority | Certification documents such as the admission notice |
| After entry | Residence permit, applied for within 30 days | Stay for the duration written on the visa |
Related rules
- Before entry. A foreigner admitted to a school in China applies for an X1 or X2 visa, according to the length of study, at a Chinese embassy or consulate (Ministry of Education Order No. 42, Article 35).
- After entry on X1. Where a visa says a residence permit is needed, the holder applies within 30 days from the date of entry (Exit and Entry Administration Law, Article 30).
- After entry on X2. A holder of a visa with a duration of stay of 180 days or less may stay within that duration (Law, Article 29).
Questions
Is a stay of exactly 180 days short-term or long-term?
Short-term. Article 36 counts 180 days as included in "short-term", so the X2 category applies.
Does an X2 visa lead to a residence permit?
No. The residence permit for study is issued to persons pursuing long-term studies (Regulations, Article 15).
See also
JW201 form, JW202 form, residence permit for study, duration of stay, admission notice.
Sources (read on 11 October 2026)
- National Immigration Administration, Regulations of the PRC on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners, Articles 6, 7, 15 and 36: https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147458/c155970/content.html
- National Immigration Administration, Exit and Entry Administration Law of the PRC, Articles 29 and 30: https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147458/c155978/content.html
- Ministry of Education, Order No. 42 (in Chinese), Article 35: http://www.moe.gov.cn/srcsite/A02/s5911/moe_621/201705/t20170516_304735.html
Unofficial entry. It defines terms and is not immigration advice.