Admission notice and the education authority's certificate: the two papers behind a study visa
For an X1 visa, Article 7(11) of the Regulations on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners (State Council Decree No. 637) names two papers: the admission notice issued by the admission institution, and the certification documents provided by the competent authority. Article 35 of the Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students (Order No. 42) names an admission notice issued by the school and a certificate filed for the record with the education authority, followed by "other relevant materials".
Choosing between X1 and X2 depends on the length of study. The X1 or X2 page covers that choice. This page covers which papers each document names.
The sections below take each document in turn. The English wording of Article 35 and of the Ministry of Education reply is this site's translation of the Chinese text. The table near the end compares two embassy lists.
What Article 7(11) of the Regulations says
The English text below is published by the National Immigration Administration. It is item (11) of Article 7:
"(11) To apply for the X1 visa, the applicant shall, in accordance with relevant provisions, submit the admission notice issued by the admission institution and the certification documents provided by the competent authority; to apply for the X2 visa, the applicant shall, in accordance with relevant provisions, submit such certification documents as the admission notice issued by the admission institution; and"
For X1, item (11) names two papers: the admission notice issued by the admission institution, and the certification documents provided by the competent authority. For X2, the English text reads "such certification documents as the admission notice issued by the admission institution". Item (11) names no application form.
This section covers item (11) only. Other items of Article 7 are not covered here.
What Article 35 of Order No. 42 says
Order No. 42 is issued by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security. Article 35 reads, in this site's translation of the Chinese text:
"A foreigner who applies to study at a school referred to in Article 2 of these Measures shall, before entering China and according to the length of study, apply for an X1 or X2 visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate in the country of nationality or the country of residence, or at another overseas mission entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The applicant shall submit, as provided, a certificate filed for the record with the education authority and the admission notice issued by the school, together with other relevant materials."
Article 35 gives one list of papers for X1 and X2 applications. Article 35 names no application form.
What the Ministry of Education reply says about JW201 and JW202
The Ministry of Education issued a reply on 15 February 2008 to a question dated 13 December 2007. The reply is in Chinese, and the English below is this site's translation.
| Form | Who the reply says it is for | Who handles it, according to the reply |
|---|---|---|
| JW201 | Chinese Government Scholarship students, and students who come to China through government exchange channels | The secretariat of the China Scholarship Council asks the relevant universities to handle the procedures |
| JW202 | Self-funded students | Each university, for the students it has admitted |
The reply makes three further points:
- JW201 and JW202 are described as important documents for applying for a study visa, for entry, for enrolment reporting and for residence formalities.
- Any institution that recruits foreign students may provide JW202.
- A private university may apply to its local provincial education authority. With consent, it may recruit foreign students and may obtain JW202 as needed.
How the two embassy lists name the papers
Each list below comes from one mission. Other missions may set different lists.
| Mission and document | Visa | Papers named |
|---|---|---|
| Embassy of the PRC in the United Kingdom, "Part Two: How to Apply for a Visa for China (Mainland only)" | X1 | (1) Admission Letter issued by a college, university or other educational institution in China; (2) original or photocopy of "Visa Application for Study in China" (Form JW201 or Form JW202); (3) original or photocopy of the "Confirmation Form for Elementary Stages Students Study in China issued by Chinese relevant authorities (for Elementary Stage)" |
| Embassy of the PRC in the United States, "Requirements and Procedures for Chinese Visa Application (Updated September, 2025)" | X1 | For foreign higher education institution students: (1) A. Confirmation Form for Study in China (Form JW201 or Form JW202); B. photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by a school or other entities in China. For foreign elementary, junior and senior high school students: Confirmation Form for Elementary Stage Students Study in China. |
| Embassy of the PRC in the United States (same notice) | X2 | (1) Admission Notice issued by a school or other entities in China; (2) Information Form for Foreign Students' Short-term Visit (Form DQ, if have) |
The United States row sets the study length for each visa. X1 is "for a period of more than 180 days". X2 is "for a period of no more than 180 days". The same row says that for foreign elementary, junior and senior high school students who reside in China for family reunion purpose, "application for X1 visa is not compulsory".
Item (3) of the United Kingdom list is marked "for Elementary Stage". The United Kingdom list names the admission letter in item (1) and the JW201 or JW202 form in item (2).
Steps to check before you apply
- Check whether your study length falls under X1 or X2 in the list of the mission you will use.
- Apply before you enter China.
- Apply at a Chinese embassy or consulate in your country of nationality or residence, or at another mission entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Prepare the admission notice issued by the school.
- Prepare the certificate filed for the record with the education authority.
- Check whether the mission asks for Form JW201 or Form JW202.
- Compare your list with the document list published by the mission you will use.
Sources
- Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners (English text). National Immigration Administration.
- Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students, Order No. 42 (Chinese text). Ministry of Education of the PRC.
- Ministry of Education reply of 15 February 2008 on forms JW201 and JW202 (Chinese text). Ministry of Education.
- Part Two: How to Apply for a Visa for China (Mainland only). Embassy of the PRC in the United Kingdom.
- Requirements and Procedures for Chinese Visa Application (Updated September, 2025). Embassy of the PRC in the United States.
Checked 11 October 2026.
This page is an unofficial summary, is not legal or immigration advice, and is not published by the bodies named. The official text and the instructions of the body handling your case prevail if they differ.