Study visa — Chinese language course

Who it is for

People who will study Chinese at a school in China and need the matching study visa.

Where it is filed

Chinese embassy, consulate, or Chinese Visa Application Service Center outside mainland China, after the school issues the admission papers. A stay over 180 days is generally X1; 180 days or less is generally X2.

What we do not promise

We recommend a language school and hand the study-visa file to the agent. The school decides admission. The visa office decides X1 or X2, entries, and stay. This fee does not include tuition, and a complete file does not mean a visa will be issued. X1 holders generally must apply for a residence permit within 30 days of entry.

Documents the agent will ask for

• Passport with at least six months of validity beyond the intended stay, blank visa pages, and a copy of the bio page.
• Completed online visa application form for the People’s Republic of China.
• One recent front-facing photo on a white background.
• If you apply outside your country of citizenship: proof of legal stay in the country where you apply.
• Former Chinese citizens: previous Chinese passport and prior Chinese visa copies, plus a name-change document if the name differs.
• Preferred city, start month, and how long you want to study Chinese.
• Original and copy of the school admission letter, once the school issues it.
• For study over 180 days: original and copy of the Visa Application for Study in China (JW201 or JW202).
• For study of 180 days or less: admission notice, and the Information Form for Foreign Students’ Short-term Visit (DQ) if the school or visa office asks for it.

Official source (2026-05-25): https://se.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw_0/swe123/202303/t20230314_11041349.htm. We last reviewed this page on 2026-10-20. Rules on the official page win if they differ.