Applying for a study visa at the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom: its X1 and X2 lists

The Embassy of the PRC in the United Kingdom lists the documents for a study visa to mainland China on its page "Part Two: How to Apply for a Visa for China (Mainland only)". For an X1 visa the list has three items: an admission letter, form JW201 or JW202, and a confirmation form for elementary-stage students. For an X2 visa the list has one item, an admission notice. For the visa types themselves, see X1 or X2.

These lists are the embassy's statements for the people it serves. The embassy's other page, "Part One: Visa for China (Mainland only)", is cited below only for its note on X1 holders. This page gives no fees. Other Chinese missions publish their own pages.

Basic documents

Part Two lists these basic documents in section I:

1. Passport. The original passport, with at least six months of validity remaining and blank visa pages, and a photocopy of the bio data page.
2. Photo. One recent colour passport photo, bare-head and full face, against a light background. Part Two refers to a separate document, "Photo Requirements for Chinese Visa Application", for the photo.
3. Proof of legal stay or residence (non-British applicants). A valid British visa, or other proof of legal stay, residence, employment or study in the United Kingdom.
4. Previous Chinese passports or visas (foreign nationals who once held Chinese nationality). For a first application for a Chinese visa, Part Two requires the last Chinese passport held, a photocopy of its data page, and the permanent residency of a foreign country and naturalization paper. If the current passport contains no Chinese visa, Part Two asks for photocopies of the data page of the previous passport and of the previous Chinese visa. If the name on the current passport differs from the name on the previous one, an official document of name change is required.

X1 list

Part Two lists these documents for the X1 visa:

1. The Admission Letter issued by a college, university or other educational institution in China.
2. The original or a photocopy of "Visa Application for Study in China" (Form JW201 or Form JW202).
3. The original or a photocopy of "Confirmation Form for Elementary Stages Students Study in China issued by Chinese relevant authorities (for Elementary Stage)."

X2 list

Part Two lists one document for the X2 visa: the original or a photocopy of the Admission Notice issued by a college, university or other educational institution in China.

Notes for X1 holders

Two embassy pages say something about residence permits for X1 holders. They are worded differently, so each is reported as written.

• Part Two, in the X1 list, says that holders of X1 visas shall, within 30 days from the date of entry, apply to the exit and entry administration of the local public security bureau in the proposed place of residence for a foreigners' residence permit.
• Part One says that holders of D, J1, Q1, S1, X1 and Z visas with a "000" duration of stay shall, within 30 days from the date of entry, apply to the exit and entry administration of the public security organ of the local people's government at or above county level in the proposed place of residence for a foreigners' residence permit.

Application procedure

Part Two, section III, sets out the procedure in this order:

1. Fill in the electronic visa application form online through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center, in advance.
2. Wait until the online review is approved.
3. Submit your passport and other supporting documents at the Visa Center.
4. Give your biometric information at the Visa Center.

Processing time

Part Two, section IV, gives two times:

• Regular service: the visa will be ready for collection on the fourth working day.
• Express service: the visa will be ready for collection on the third working day.

Notices for applicants

Part Two, section VI, contains these notices:

1. Fill in the application form truthfully, clearly and completely.
2. Applicants are responsible for the authenticity of the passport, the application form, the photo and any other supporting documents, including photocopies. Inaccurate, misleading or incomplete information may lead to an extension of the visa approval time, decline or rejection of a visa, or decline of entry into China.
3. Original documents are returned to applicants once verified at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center or at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General. Unless otherwise specified, copies may be in the form of a fax or a computer printout. When necessary, applicants may be asked to attend an interview at the Embassy (Consulate General), to provide other proof of documents, or to verify the signature on the supporting materials.
4. The Chinese Embassy and Consulate General keep the authoritative interpretation of these terms, should the terms change.

Sources

• Embassy of the PRC in the United Kingdom — Part Two: How to Apply for a Visa for China (Mainland only) — Ministry of Foreign Affairs mission
• Embassy of the PRC in the United Kingdom — Part One: Visa for China (Mainland only) — Ministry of Foreign Affairs mission

Checked 11 October 2026.

This page is an unofficial summary. It is not legal or immigration advice, and it is not published by the Embassy or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If the official text differs from this page, the official text and the instructions of the body handling your case prevail.