Apply for a Chinese Visa

Students who will study in China need to apply for a visa. Foreign students studying in China are required to hold an ordinary passport and either a Study visa (X-visa) (study period of more than 6 months) or a Business visa (F-visa) (study period of 6 months or less). If you enter China on a a Tourist visa (L-visa), you will be required to change your visa into the relevant visa after entering China.

Applicants should apply for a Chinese visa from the nearest Chinese Embassies and Chinese Consulates.

Types of Chinese Visa

Please note: If you intend to study in China, only the following three categories of visa are appropriate for you.

Study visas (X-visa) are issued to those coming to China for study or an internship for longer than six months.
Documentations required
1. A valid passport as well as a copy of its information page. Your valid passport must have at least six months of remaining validity and at least one blank visa page in it.
2. Application form: One nearly completed Visa Application Form with genuine information and signature.
3. Photo: one recently-taken color photo of 2x2 square inch glued or stapled on the application form.
4. An original and a photocopy of Letter of Admission, Foreign Student Visa Application Form (JW202) issued by relevant Chinese government unit.
Besides the documentations mentioned above, other documents might be required by visa officers in order to decide whether to issue the visa case by case.

Business visas (F-visa) are issued to those invited to China to do business or study for a period of less than six months.
Documentations required:
1. A valid passport as well as a copy of its information page. Your valid passport must have at least six months of remaining validity and at least one blank visa page in it.
2. Application form: One nearly completed Visa Application Form with genuine information and signature.
3. Photo: one recently-taken color photo of 2x2 square inch glued or stapled on the application form.
4. An original and a photocopy of Letter of Admission, Foreign Student Visa Application Form (JW202) issued by relevant Chinese government unit.
Besides the documentations mentioned above, other documents might be required by visa officers in order to decide whether to issue the visa case by case.

Tourist visas (L-visa) are issued to those coming to China for sightseeing, visiting family or friends, or for other personal affairs. Therefore, students who will not receive their admission package by post in time to apply for the above visa categories can apply for a tourist visa (L visa) instead. University staff will help you do a visa conversion at the local public security bureau when you arrive at school. NB This option is only available to students from North America, South America, Europe, East Asia and South East Asia.
Documentations required:
1. A valid passport as well as a copy of its information page. Your valid passport must have at least six (6) months of remaining validity and at least one blank visa page in it.
2. Application form: One nearly completed Visa Application Form with genuine information and signature.
3. Photo: one recently-taken color photo of 2x2 square inch glued or stapled on the application form.
Besides the documentations mentioned above, other documentations might be required by visa officers in order to decide whether to issue the visa case by case.

NB: Chinese authorities do not allow students from some countries to study in China with a tourist visa. If you want to apply for a tourist visa to study in China, please consult at service@cucas.cn.

Visa Information on Different Countries

Students from other countries, please contact or check the website of China Visa Application Service Center or your nearest Chinese Embassies and Chinese Consulates for details.

Suggestions on Visa Processing for Late Applicants

Once you're accepted, the university will prepare the JW202 form for you, which requires 2-4 weeks time normally. During summer vacation, the processing time will be longer. As the JW202 form is required for your visa application, you can refer to the following suggestions:

1. Students on short-term programs (study period of 6 months or less) 
2. Students on long-term programs (study period of 6 months or longer)

1. Students on short-term programs (study period of 6 months or less):

Normally, you can apply for the F-visa with the photocopy of your acceptance letter and JW202 form, which will be sent to you through email when you are accepted. To save your time from waiting for the JW202 form, if the university agrees, you can enter China on a tourist visa (L-visa) and convert it to an F-visa upon arrival. When you arrive in China with L-visa under agreement, you can get your admission package from your university. But before you apply for the L visa, you must make sure the university is able to help you with the visa conversion. Please confirm with us in advance.

NB: Chinese authorities do not allow students from some countries to study in China with a tourist visa. If you want to take a tourist visa to study in China, please consult at service@cucas.cn.

If your program duration is less than 1 month, you can apply for a tourist visa (L-visa) by yourself, without waiting for your admission package delivered.

2. Students on long-term programs (study period of 6 months or longer):

You should apply for an X-visa with the original acceptance letter and original JW202 form. In order to save your time and make sure you can arrive in China on time, we suggest you email us at admission@cucas.cn before you fill in the Admission Package Delivery Registration form.

If the university agrees, you can enter China on a tourist visa (L-visa) and convert it to a student visa upon arrival. But before you apply for the L visa, you must make sure the university is able to help you with the visa conversion. Please confirm with us in advance.When you arrive in China with L-visa under agreement, we can send you the admission package in 2 days. Also you can pick it up at our office in Beijing.

For late applicants, please contact us (email: admission@cucas.cn) as soon as you are aware you cannot arrive in the university on time because of your visa. We will help you communicate with your university. Otherwise your late registration may not be acceptable.