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China Visa Insurance Requirements

Thanks to China’s progressive higher education system, elite mathematics and technology programs and a growing economy, the number of international students studying in China has more than doubled over the past few years. Hundreds of thousands of students from around the world chose to continue their education in the world’s most populous country.

But before you too can join these progressive scholars in the birthplace of the compass, paper and gunpowder, you must first obtain a visa. And as with everything in life, there are specific rules and regulations you must follow before obtaining your golden ticket to China.

Lucky for you, the requirements are all here in black and white.

The Requirements

To save yourself some trouble, ensure that you have all of the items below before applying for your visa and don’t worry if you aren’t sure what some of the forms are, they will be explained later.

Insurance Instructions
  • Completed application form
  • Original passport valid for at least six months and containing at least one blank page
  • Original and a copy of your approved Foreign Student Visa Application Form JW201 or JW202
  • Original and a copy of the Admission Notice from your future school
  • A recent passport-style color photo, showcasing your entire face to attach to the application form (ensure you’re against a solid light colored background and sorry, but no hats allowed)

The Application Process

When you are accepted to the Chinese institution of your choice (congratulations!) they will send either a JW201 or JW202 form along with your acceptance letter. A photocopy of both must be included with the visa application when you submit it through the consular office of the Chinese Embassies or a travel/visa agency that can act on your behalf. Keep in mind that most Chinese embassies and consulates will refuse mailed applications, so a little legwork is required.

There are two types of student visas:

X1 Visa

The X1 Visa is for long-term students who will study in China for more than six months.

X2 Visa

The X2 Visa is for short-term students who will study in China for less than six months.

Processing Time

Plan on enough processing time — Give yourself an extra week and a half, just in case!

The process to receive your visa takes about four working days on average, but it’s better to be safe than sorry, so give yourself at least a week and a half of “wiggle room” when submitting your application. For last-minute submissions, a rush service is available for $20 USD (two to three working days) or $30 USD for an emergency one working day processing.

The Fees

By now you’ve heard the saying “nothing in life is free” and the same proves true about the Chinese visa. The visa itself costs $130 USD for Americans and $30 for citizens of other countries. Acceptable forms of payment include: Visa, MasterCard, money order, cashier’s check or company check made payable to the Chinese Embassy.

Medical Check Up

All International Students who come to China to study for 6 months or longer (X1 visa) are required to undergo a medical examination either before or after they enter China. When you applying for a residence permit in China, you will have to submit the Foreigner Physical Examination form confirming that you have passed the physical examination. You will need the residence permit in order to enter or exit China for multiple times within an 11 months’ period so that you may go home for the holidays.

In some cases, you must pass the medical examination before you apply for an X1 visa. You will have to submit the completed Foreigner Physical Examination form with your visa application. Check with the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your home country to find out if this is a requirement. If you are required, please go to the nearest hospital to conduct a medical examination and remember to ask the doctor to complete the entire form. It is also very important that the hospital must affix its official seal along with your photograph where the form indicates. If this is not done it correctly, you may require to have the examination completed again in your home country or in China.

If you have any problems with receiving your visa or have further questions contact the faculty at your future institution as well as the Chinese embassy as soon as possible to ensure your own Chinese adventure.

Best Insurance Plans for China

We have a range of insurance plans, however for students studying in China the best insurance options are: