Application guide
X1 and X2 visas, the JW201 and JW202 forms, the 30-day residence permit clock and the internship annotation.
| Document | Who receives it | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| JW201 | Chinese Government Scholarship holders | Visa application form for study in China, issued by the university through CSC |
| JW202 | Self-funded students | Visa application form for study in China, issued by the university |
| DQ form | Short-course and X2 applicants | Alternative confirmation accepted for study under 180 days |
| Admission notice | All applicants | Official letter confirming the place and programme dates |
| Foreigner Physical Examination Form | All applicants over 180 days | Medical form completed before arrival, verified in China |
| Residence permit | X1 visa holders | Applied for inside China within 30 days of entry |
An X1 visa is issued for study of more than 180 days and is converted into a residence permit after you arrive. Every degree programme uses the X1. An X2 visa covers study of up to 180 days and cannot normally be converted in-country, so if you intend to extend a short course into a degree you should ask for the X1 route from the start.
An X1 visa is valid for entry only. Within 30 days of arriving you must complete the physical examination (if not already done to the Chinese standard), register your residential address with the local public security bureau, and apply for the residence permit at the exit-entry administration. Missing the 30-day window means an overstay fine and, in the worst case, an order to leave. Register the address within 24 hours of moving in, every time you move.
Part-time work and off-campus internships require three things at once: at least one completed academic year, written approval from your university, and an annotation on your residence permit recording the employer and the permitted hours. Term-time work is generally capped at around eight hours a week. Working without the annotation is illegal even if your school knows about it, and the penalty falls on the student.
Employment in China after graduation requires a Z visa and a work permit arranged by the employer, under a points system that rewards a Chinese degree and a higher qualification level. Many graduates spend a year or two with a Chinese company in their home country and transfer in, because the work permit generally expects two years of post-graduation experience unless you hold a higher degree or meet an exemption category.
Detailed guides on visas, work rights and immigration.
The single largest funding scheme for international students in China. It covers tuition, accommodation, insurance and a monthly stipend — and it requires a pre-admission letter before you apply.
A dedicated scheme for Chinese language study and for training as a Chinese teacher, available at more than 150 host universities.
Shanghai funds several thousand international students a year through two separate programmes with very different routes to entry.
Municipal funding plus the internal scholarships offered by Tsinghua, PKU, Beihang and other Beijing institutions.
Four provincial schemes covering Nanjing, Suzhou, Hangzhou and the surrounding region, with different coverage and deadlines.
Provincial and municipal funding covering Sun Yat-sen University, SCUT, SUSTech and the Guangdong campus network.