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X1 visa: the long-term study visa for China

Unofficial entry · Sources checked

The X1 visa (X1字签证) is the visa for persons who apply for long-term study in China. Article 6(11) of the Regulations on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners (State Council Decree No. 637) sets it out, against the X2 visa for short-term study. For related rules, see Visas and residence.

Definition

Article 6(11) of the Regulations reads: "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(5) of the Regulations defines the term: "Long-term or resident means residing in China for a period exceeding 180 days."

Article 45 of the Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students (Order No. 42) defines long-term study as study at a school in China for more than 180 days.

What the official text says

Documents for the application. Article 7(11) of the Regulations states that, 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.

Application before entry. Article 35 of Order No. 42 states that a foreigner who applies to study at a school covered by the Measures shall apply for an X1 or X2 visa before entry, at the Chinese embassy or consulate-general in the country of nationality or residence, or at another mission entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to the length of study. The applicant submits the certification filed with the education administrative department and the admission notice issued by the school, as provided. The English wording in this entry is this site's translation of the Chinese text.

Visa category. The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United Kingdom, in "Part One: Visa for China (Mainland only)", describes the X1 visa as: "Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period exceeding 180 days."

Documents listed by the UK embassy. The embassy's page "Part Two: How to Apply for a Visa for China (Mainland only)" lists the following for the X1 visa:

  1. The Admission Letter issued by a college, university or other educational institution in China.
  2. The original or a photocopy of the "Visa Application for Study in China" (Form JW201 or Form JW202).
  3. The "Confirmation Form for Elementary Stages Students Study in China", issued by Chinese relevant authorities.

Documents listed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The "Visa Application Instructions of the People's Republic of China" on the China Consular Services website, under "X1 Visa", lists:

  • The Admission Letter issued by a school or other admitting entity in China.
  • The Confirmation Form for Study in China (Form JW201 or Form JW202).

Residence permit step. Three texts set a residence-permit step after entry:

  • Article 30 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China provides that, where a visa held by a foreigner specifies that the foreigner needs to apply for a residence permit after entry, the foreigner shall, within 30 days from the date of entry, apply to the exit/entry administration of the public security organ under the local people's government at or above the county level in the proposed place of residence. The applicant submits a passport or other international travel document, relevant information on the application, and biometric identification information such as fingerprints. The administration shall conduct examination and make a decision within 15 days from receipt.
  • Article 36 of Order No. 42 provides that, where a study visa held by an international student specifies that a residence document is needed after entry, the student shall, within 30 days from the date of entry, apply to the exit/entry administration of the public security organ in the proposed place of residence for a study-category residence permit.
  • The UK embassy's "Part Two" page states that holders of the X1 visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of the local public security bureau in the proposed place of residence for residence permits. The MFA instructions state that the holder must, within 30 days of entering China, apply for a residence permit at the exit-entry administration of the public security bureau of the people's government at or above the county level of the intended place of residence.

Related terms

Sources

Checked 11 October 2026.

This entry is an unofficial summary. It is not legal or immigration advice, and it is not published by the bodies named above. If the official text or the instructions of the body handling your case differ from this entry, the official text and those instructions prevail.

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