Student Visa for China

Appear at your local Chinese consulate in-person to submit your application.

Have a friend or family member submit your application to your consulate on your behalf.

With a visa processing agency, you will submit all of your materials to them, with a payment for the service and for the consulate's fee. The agency will apply for your visa on your behalf. There are a lot of agencies out there, but we have received good feedback from students on A Briggs and Travisa.

Once we receive your JW202 from the Chinese government, we will confirm your mailing address with you. You will receive your JW202 through FedEx and someone will need to be available to sign for your delivery.

With your JW202 and other materials required by your consulate, you can apply for your visa using one of the three options outlined above. 

If you will be in China for a semester, you should receive an X2 visa.

If you will be in China for an academic year, you should receive an X1 visa. With an X1 visa, you will need to switch to a temporary residence permit after arriving in China. IES Abroad Shanghai staff will be able to aid you in this process.

More details and a list of required application materials are available in your MyIESabroad account after you have been accepted to your study abroad program.

You will receive your JW202 at least 2-4 weeks before your program start date, if not earlier.

Once you submit your application, the consulate usually takes about four business days to process your visa. Some consulates offer express and same-day services at an additional fee.

The Chinese student visa fee for U.S. citizens may change depending on the current conversion rate and is typically $140. This is a price determined by the consulate and paid directly to the consulate that serves your jurisdiction.

There will be an additional fee if you choose express or same-day processing for your visa (available at select consulates).

You can apply for your visa using one of the three options outlined above. Each consulate determines which application materials and documents you will be required to submit.

More details and a list of required application materials are available in your MyIESabroad account after you have been accepted to your study abroad program.

If you are on an IES Internships program, you will enter China with a tourist visa. The IES Abroad Shanghai staff will aid you in switching to an internship visa after you arrive.

Once you submit your application, the consulate usually takes about four business days to process your visa. Some consulates offer express and same-day services at an additional fee.

The Chinese tourist visa fee for U.S. citizens may change depending on the current conversion rate and is typically $140. This is a price determined by the consulate and paid directly to the consulate that serves your jurisdiction.

There will be an additional fee if you choose express or same-day processing for your visa (avaible* at select consulates).