Summer Chinese language programmes in China: how the rules treat a short course
Article 45 of Order No. 42 does not use the term "summer course". It sorts study at a Chinese school by length: a stay of 180 days or fewer, including 180 days, is short-term study. For the other routes, see Routes.
The length limit
Order No. 42 is published in Chinese. The English wording below is this site's translation of the Chinese text. Article 45 says that short-term study means studying at a school in China for no more than 180 days, including 180 days, and that long-term study means studying there for more than 180 days. Article 45 sets an upper limit and no lower limit.
The Regulations on the Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners (State Council Decree No. 637) use the same 180-day line. Article 36(4) says that short-term means staying in China for a period not exceeding 180 days (including 180 days). Article 36(5) says that long-term or resident means residing in China for a period exceeding 180 days.
Which visa
Article 6(11) of the Regulations reads: "The X1 visa is issued to persons who apply for long-term study in China; the X2 visa is for persons who apply for short-term study in China."
Documents for an X2 visa
Article 7(11) of the Regulations says that an applicant for the X2 visa shall, in accordance with relevant provisions, submit "such certification documents as the admission notice issued by the admission institution".
The Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom lists the following for an X2 visa on its visa page, Part Two: "Original or photocopy of Admission Notice issued by a college, university or other educational institution in China." This is the embassy's own list. It is not a list for every mission.
Group study
Article 38 of Order No. 42 says that a school may accept international students who study in a group for a short period, and that the school shall sign an agreement with the foreign sending unit in advance.
The second paragraph of Article 38 covers schools that provide primary or secondary education. For those schools, the foreign sending unit shall complete, in advance and under the law of its own country, the formalities needed to organise the entry and exit of minors. It shall also send a person with the group to act as guardian of the students during their study at the school.
Article 38 sets no fee, no course length and no class hours.
Summary of the provisions
| Provision | Document | What it sets |
|---|---|---|
| Article 45 | Order No. 42 | Short-term study: at a school in China for 180 days or fewer, including 180 days |
| Article 6(11) | Regulations (Decree No. 637) | X2 visa for persons who apply for short-term study |
| Article 36(4) | Regulations (Decree No. 637) | Short-term: staying for a period not exceeding 180 days (including 180 days) |
| Article 7(11) | Regulations (Decree No. 637) | X2 applicants submit certification documents such as the admission notice |
| Article 38 | Order No. 42 | Group short-term study: the school may accept it and shall sign an agreement with the sending unit in advance |
Questions
Is a summer course short-term study under the rules?
The rules do not name a summer course. Article 45 of Order No. 42 classifies study by length. Study at a school in China for 180 days or fewer, including 180 days, is short-term study.
Which visa category covers short-term study?
Article 6(11) of the Regulations gives the X2 visa to persons who apply for short-term study in China.
Does Article 38 set a fee for group study?
No. Article 38 of Order No. 42 sets no fee.
Sources
- Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students (Order No. 42 of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security). Publisher: Ministry of Education of the PRC.
- Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners (State Council Decree No. 637), English text. Publisher: National Immigration Administration.
- Embassy of the PRC in the United Kingdom, Part Two: How to Apply for a Visa for China (Mainland only). Publisher: Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United Kingdom.
Checked 11 October 2026.
This page is an unofficial summary. It is not legal or immigration advice, and it is not published by the bodies named. The official text and the instructions of the body handling your case prevail if they differ.