The full document checklist
Your university or scholarship notice has the final list for your programme, and it overrides this one. Use this checklist to start early.
| Document | What to know |
|---|---|
| Passport | Valid for more than 6 months with at least one blank visa page. Keep a clear scan of the personal information page. |
| CNIC and B-form | The Embassy asks for copies of the front and back of the CNIC for the visa application. |
| Matric and Intermediate result cards, plus degrees and transcripts | Keep originals and clear scans. If your university or HEC asks for attested copies, get them early. |
| English proficiency letter from your department | A letter on department letterhead confirming your English proficiency or that your degree was taught in English. Some programmes ask for a test instead. |
| Two to three recommendation letters | From supervisors or professors who know your work. Signed, on letterhead, with contact details. |
| CV | One to two pages, factual and consistent with your documents. |
| Study plan or statement of purpose | Your intended research or study focus and why this programme and university. Original and specific. |
| Police certificate | The Embassy asks for it from applicants aged 10 and above for the visa, with an apostille if it has no verifiable QR code. See the notes below. |
| Foreigner Physical Examination Form | Downloaded from your university or portal and completed at a hospital. See the notes below. |
| Proof of funds (self-funded students) | The Embassy asks for US$2,500 per academic year, with the supporter's closing bank balance covering the study period. |
| Passport-style photographs | White background, recent, as your university or portal specifies. |
| Admission notice and JW201 or JW202 | Issued by the university after admission. Needed for the X1 visa. |
The police certificate
A police character certificate is one of the slowest documents because it needs a second step, the apostille, before China will accept it.
- Apply through the Police Khidmat Markaz (PKM) for your province, or its online service where available.
- The fee depends on how you apply. Published figures range from about Rs 350 at a counter to Rs 522 or more online with service charges. Check the PKM page for the current amount.
- Get it apostilled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Chinese Embassy says an apostille is required if the certificate lacks a verifiable QR code.
- Check whether your scholarship or university asks for it earlier than the visa stage.
The Foreigner Physical Examination Form
- It is valid for six months from the date of issue, so do not do it too early.
- It can be completed in Chinese or English.
- The hospital must stamp it. The hospital seal needs to cross your photo, and the doctor must sign it, or the form can be rejected.
- Lab results attached to the form need the laboratory's stamp. The Chinese authorities do not accept a photocopy of the HIV test result.
- Chinese guidance lists tests including a chest X-ray and blood tests for several infectious diseases. Your form lists exactly what is required, so follow it.
Confirm when your university wants it
Some universities want the form before you travel, and sources differ on whether it is also needed at the visa stage. Ask your university's international office, and check the Embassy's current instructions.
Prepare in this order
- 1
Start the police certificate and apostille
They take the longest, so begin them first.
- 2
Request your recommendation letters
Ask your professors early and give them your CV and plan so the letters are specific.
- 3
Get the English proficiency letter and attested results
Department letters can take time to be signed and stamped.
- 4
Write your study plan and CV
Draft them while the other documents are in progress.
- 5
Complete the medical examination last
It expires after six months, so time it close to your application or visa.
- 6
Scan everything clearly
Use one folder with consistent file names, and keep the originals safe.
Document mistakes to avoid
Never use fake or arranged documents
Edited results, borrowed bank statements or invented letters can lead to a permanent ban from entering China. If a document is missing, ask your university or us how to handle it honestly.
- Names or dates that differ between documents.
- Blurred, cropped or low-resolution scans.
- A medical form without the hospital seal across the photo.
- Doing the medical too early, so it expires before you use it.
- Leaving the apostille to the last week.
Questions answered
Do I need an English proficiency certificate like IELTS?+
Not always. Some English-taught programmes accept a letter from your department confirming English proficiency or an English-medium degree. Others require a test. Check your programme's requirement.
How many recommendation letters do I need?+
Programmes commonly ask for two or three, from professors or supervisors who know your work. Check the requirement for your programme.
Does my police certificate need an apostille?+
The Chinese Embassy says an apostille is required if the certificate lacks a verifiable QR code. Getting it apostilled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the safe approach, and you should confirm with your university.
How long is the medical form valid?+
It is valid for six months from the date of issue, so time it to the application or visa step.
What proof of funds do I need if I am not on a scholarship?+
The Embassy asks for financial resources of US$2,500 per academic year, with the financial supporter's closing bank balance covering the whole study period.