Students often think the admission letter is the thing that gets them into China. It is not. The document the embassy actually needs is the JW202.
What it is
The JW202 is an official visa application form for foreign students, issued by the university on behalf of the Chinese authorities. Without it, the embassy will not issue a student visa.
How it differs from an admission letter
- The pre-admission letter says the university has accepted you
- The admission letter is the formal offer
- The JW202 is the government form that lets you apply for the visa
You need the last one to get an X visa. An admission letter on its own is not enough.
How long it takes
It varies a great deal by university.
- Some language programmes issue it in three to five days
- Most degree programmes take two to six weeks
- Peak season before a September intake is slower
Jianghan University, for example, asks for a deposit alongside your completed documents when the JW202 is applied for, and that deposit comes off your first-year package.
X1 or X2
- X1 is for study of more than 180 days — every degree, and most full-year language programmes
- X2 is for study of 180 days or less
With an X1 you must convert to a residence permit after arriving in China, usually within thirty days. We handle that with you during your first week.
What to watch for
Check that your name on the JW202 matches your passport exactly. A spelling difference means a rejected visa application and a lost month. We check this before it is submitted, but check it yourself as well.
Still not sure how this applies to you?
Every university sets its own rules and they change between intakes. Send us your situation and we will give you the specific answer, not the general one.