Chinese Visa Guide
FOR THAT'S MANDARIN STUDENTS
The Easy Way To Get A Chinese Student Visa
So you’ve decided to come to China. The next step is to find out how to obtain a visa to enter and stay in the country legally.
The type of visa you apply for will depend on your purpose of visit. For short-term travelers or students, i.e. 30 days or less, the tourist visa is the easiest to apply for. Those planning to stay longer in China must apply for the student visa.
THE EASY WAY TO GET A CHINESE VISA
What is X Visa?
The Chinese student visa (X visa) is split into two categories: X1 and X2. The main difference between the two is the number of entries permitted and the duration of stay.
X1 VISA
The X1 visa is a multiple entry visa which allows students to stay in China for more than 180 days (usually up to a year). You can enter and exit China as many times as you wish within the period of validity of the visa.
X2 VISA
The X2 visa is a single entry visa issued to those who will stay in China for less than 180 days. The duration of stay depends on the length of your study program.
Good to Know
THE EASY WAY TO GET A CHINESE VISA
How can I obtain a Student Visa?
The easiest way is to sign up for the Chinese Visa Program at That’s Mandarin. This program is created for foreigners who want to experience the Chinese culture, travel within China and study Chinese at the same time. It’s a program designed to make it easier for you to reach your Chinese goals.
You can choose to study in Beijing or Shanghai. Both are modern cities with their own unique identities, infused with the traditional history of ancient China. The choice is yours.
Learn Chinese in Beijing
If you are into Chinese culture and want to have a taste of authentic Mandarin Chinese, then Beijing can be the ideal choice for you as it’s not only the capital but also the cultural and political center of China. More importantly, the modern standard Chinese has developed based on Beijing dialect.
Learn Chinese in Shanghai
If you are looking for fascinating job opportunities and would like to live in a modern area surrounded by skyscrapers, then Shanghai is your destination. Being the financial center of China, Shanghai offers numerous job opportunities for both Chinese and foreigners. At the end of 2015, the amount of “non-Shanghainese” took up to 40% of the total population of Shanghai.
THE EASY WAY TO GET A CHINESE VISA
How to apply for a Chinese Visa – Visa Application Procedure
There are many factors need to be considered, for example, what courses do you take, how often do you get to practice with your Chinese friends, etc. We have schools in large cities like Beijing and Shanghai, and offer a variety of courses, for example, 1-on-1 classes, small group classes, summer classes, etc. Unlike studying Chinese at university, most of Chinese language schools provide a more conducive learning environment for students to quickly improve their language skills in a short time using efficient learning methods as the teachers focus on each individual student’s performance. Generally speaking, by attending a Chinese language school:
Select a visa category (we can help you with visa L and X) and prepare your visa application including necessary supporting documents.
Submit your application to the Visa Office of Chinese Embassy.
Pay the visa application fee at the Visa Office and pick up your visa.
VISA CATEGORY & ELEGIBLE APPLICANTS
C
Foreign crew members of means of international transportation, including aircraft, trains and ships, or motor vehicle drivers engaged in cross-border transport activities, or to the accompanying family members of the crew members of the above-mentioned ships.
D
Foreigners who intend to reside in China permanently.
F
Foreigners who intend to go to China for exchanges, visits, study tours and other non-business activities
G
Foreigners who intend to transit through China.
J1
Resident foreign journalists of foreign news organizations stationed in China. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.
J2
Foreign journalists who intend to go to China for short-term news coverage. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days.
L
Foreigners who intend to go to China as a tourist.
M
Foreigners who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities.
Q1
Foreigners who are family members* of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and intend to go to China for family reunion, or to those who intend to go to China for the purpose of foster care. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.
Q2
Foreigners who intend to visit their relatives who are Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with permanent residence in China. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days.
R
Foreigners who are high-level talents or whose skills are urgently needed in China.
S1
Foreigners who intend to go to China to visit the foreigners working or studying in China to whom they are spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 or parents-in-law, or to those who intend to go to China for other private affairs. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.
S2
Foreigners who intend to visit their family members* who are foreigners working or studying in China, or to those who intend to go to China for other private matters. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days.
X1
Foreigners who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days.
X2
Foreigners who intend to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days.
Z
Foreigners who intend to work in China.
VISA CATEGORY
C
D
F
G
J1
J2
L
M
Q1
Q2
R
S1
S2
X1
X2
Z
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Foreign crew members of means of international transportation, including aircraft, trains and ships, or motor vehicle drivers engaged in cross-border transport activities, or to the accompanying family members of the crew members of the above-mentioned ships.
Foreigners who intend to reside in China permanently.
Foreigners who intend to go to China for exchanges, visits, study tours and other non-business activities.
Foreigners who intend to transit through China.
Resident foreign journalists of foreign news organizations stationed in China. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.
Foreign journalists who intend to go to China for short-term news coverage. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days.
Foreigners who intend to go to China as a tourist.
Foreigners who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities.
Foreigners who are family members* of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and intend to go to China for family reunion, or to those who intend to go to China for the purpose of foster care. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.
Foreigners who intend to visit their relatives who are Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with permanent residence in China. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days.
Foreigners who are high-level talents or whose skills are urgently needed in China.
Foreigners who intend to go to China to visit the foreigners working or studying in China to whom they are spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 or parents-in-law, or to those who intend to go to China for other private affairs. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.
Foreigners who intend to visit their family members* who are foreigners working or studying in China, or to those who intend to go to China for other private matters. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days.
Foreigners who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days.
Foreigners who intend to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days.
Foreigners who intend to work in China.
THE EASY WAY TO GET A CHINESE VISA
Visa Documents
It depends on what you need. HSK is China’s standardized test to test foreigners’ Chinese language proficiency. It’s classified into 6 levels, with level 1 being the lowest, and level 6 being the highest. Of course, obtaining a Chinese proficiency certificate certainly has its advantages.
L Visa
- Passport with at least six months of remaining validity and blank visa pages.
- Visa Application Form (Form V.2013) and Photo on glossy photo paper glued onto the form.
- Documents showing the itinerary including air ticket booking record (round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation, etc.
X Visa
- Passport with at least six months of remaining validity and blank visa pages.
- Visa Application Form (Form V.2013) and Photo on glossy photo paper glued onto the form.
- Original and photocopy of the Admission Notice issued by a school or other entities in China.
- Original and photocopy of “Visa Application for Study in China” (Form JW201 or Form JW202).
THE EASY WAY TO GET A CHINESE VISA
How do I apply for the Chinese Visa Program?
Go to our Chinese Visa Program page to find more info about the course and to apply.
THE EASY WAY TO GET A CHINESE VISA
Why should I join That’s Mandarin?
You can get many benefits by joining That’s Mandarin. Not only are our courses competitively priced, we also offer great returns on your investment.
Small Group Classes
In this program, you will be studying in a group class of 2 to 5 students only. The small group size is meant to provide a high quality learning environment, where each student has the opportunity to be involved in each activity in the class. The teachers can also monitor each student’s learning progress and adjust the lesson content and style as necessary.
Effective Teaching Methods
We developed our own teaching methods that have been proven to be very effective in improving students’ Chinese skills and making Chinese lessons more enjoyable and less daunting. Our former students claimed that they learned more in two weeks with us than 2 months at other schools!
The Social Aspect
Students who choose to study in small-group classes will certainly have more chance to practice Chinese by interacting with other classmates and the teacher, and therefore quickly improve their Chinese language skills. We also organize cultural events every month to bring all students together.
Central Location
Our schools in Beijing and Shanghai are both centrally located in the heart of the downtown areas. You can access shops, restaurants, banks, and almost everything else within a short walking distance.
After-sales Service
Did you know that we take pride in our customer service? Our staff and teachers care about our students. We make sure that you’re taken care of before you join our school, while you’re here and even after you’ve completed your program with us.
