X1 or X2?
| Visa | For | After arrival |
|---|---|---|
| X1 | Study for more than 180 days | Convert to a residence permit within 30 days |
| X2 | Study for 180 days or less, such as short courses and exchange semesters | Cannot be converted into a study residence permit |
What you need before you start
The X1 application cannot begin until your university has admitted you. It needs two documents that only the university can provide.
- The admission notice (admission letter) from the Chinese university.
- The Confirmation Form for Study in China, Form JW201 for scholarship students or JW202 for self-funded students. The university submits it online and you print it.
Documents for the X1 visa
This is the list in the Embassy of China's instructions for Pakistan. Check the Embassy's current page before you submit.
- Printout of the Confirmation Form for Study in China (JW201 or JW202).
- A photocopy of the admission letter.
- Proof of scholarship, or financial resources of US$2,500 per academic year with a closing bank balance that covers the whole study period.
- Passport valid for more than 6 months with at least one blank visa page, and a copy of the personal information page.
- Copies of the front and back of your CNIC.
- Police character certificate for applicants aged 10 and above, apostilled if it lacks a verifiable QR code.
Step by step
- 1
Receive the admission notice and JW form
Your university issues them. You need both before anything else.
- 2
Complete the online application
Fill in the form at bio.visaforchina.cn (COVA) and upload your documents. For X visas, the form asks for the inviting organisation's name and contact number, which is the university.
- 3
Wait for the "Online Visa Approved" email
Don't visit the centre until you receive it.
- 4
Submit at the visa centre
Take your passport, the Visa Application Certificate and all original documents to Gerry's centre in your region.
- 5
Give your fingerprints
Ten fingerprints are collected at the centre. Applicants under 14 or over 70, and some who were fingerprinted at the same location with the same passport within the last five years, are exempt.
- 6
The Embassy processes the application
It generally takes about four working days. The Embassy may ask for extra documents or an interview in some cases, and a returned application that you resubmit is treated as new.
- 7
Collect your passport
Allow roughly a week or more from submission, depending on the centre's schedule.
Where to submit in Pakistan
| Centre | Serves | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Islamabad (Gerry's Building, Park Road, near Punjab Cash & Carry, Chak Shahzad) | Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan | The Islamabad Embassy also handles Punjab applications, excluding Rawalpindi |
| Lahore (Ex American Centre Building, Queen's Road, opposite Ganga Ram Hospital) | Punjab applicants submit here | The Consulate General in Lahore is not accepting applications, so the Embassy in Islamabad decides |
| Karachi (Gerry's Center) | Sindh and Balochistan | Confirm the current address with the centre |
The Embassy lists submission hours of 9:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday, excluding holidays, and a helpline of 051-8439385. Confirm these before you travel to the centre.
Fees and timing
- Visa fee: holders of Pakistani ordinary passports have been exempt from Chinese visa fees. Confirm the current position with the Embassy.
- Service fee: the visa centre charges its own fee, reported at about PKR 13,200 for regular service and PKR 19,800 for express. Confirm the current schedule with the centre.
- Embassy processing: generally about four working days, with no fast-track service.
- Passport return: plan for about a week from submission. The centre has described collection around the sixth working day.
After you arrive in China
The X1 is an entry visa. Within 30 days of arriving you must apply for a residence permit at the local Exit-Entry Administration. Your university's international office normally guides you through it.
- Your passport and the admission notice.
- The JW201 or JW202 form.
- The Foreigner Physical Examination Record.
- Your accommodation registration and a passport-style photograph.
The residence permit lets you travel out of and back into mainland China during its validity, so don't let the 30 days pass.
Problems to avoid
- Going to the centre before the "Online Visa Approved" email.
- Names or passport details that differ from the JW form and admission notice.
- A police certificate without an apostille or a verifiable QR code.
- A passport with less than six months' validity, or no blank page.
- Booking flights before the visa is in your passport.
Questions answered
What is the difference between JW201 and JW202?+
JW201 is the confirmation form for Chinese Government Scholarship students, and JW202 is issued by the university for self-funded students. The university submits it online, and you print it for the visa application.
Where do I apply for the China X1 visa in Pakistan?+
Complete the online application, then submit your documents in person at Gerry's visa centre in Islamabad, Karachi or Lahore, depending on your region. Punjab applications are handled by the Embassy in Islamabad.
How long does the China X1 visa take?+
The Embassy generally needs about four working days, and you should plan for about a week from submission to collecting your passport. Extra documents or an interview can add time.
Do I need to give fingerprints?+
Yes, ten fingerprints are collected at the visa centre, with exemptions for applicants under 14 or over 70 and some who were fingerprinted with the same passport at the same location within five years.
What do I do after I arrive in China?+
Apply for the residence permit within 30 days of entry, usually through your university's international office. You will need your passport, admission notice, the JW form, the physical examination record, accommodation registration and a photo.
Can I apply for the X1 visa without a scholarship?+
Yes. A self-funded student with a JW202 form must show financial resources of US$2,500 per academic year, with the supporter's closing bank balance covering the whole study period.