studyinchina.helpX1 and X2 papers in the consular Visa Application Instructions
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' visa instruction page lists an Admission Letter for the X1 visa and for the X2 visa. For the X1 visa it also lists the Confirmation Form for Study in China (Form JW201 or Form JW202) and a note on applying for a residence permit after entry. The X2 section lists only the Admission Letter.
The sections below follow the page in order, then the relevant article of the Regulations.
Which category is which
The category table on the page defines the two study visas by length of stay:
| Category | Wording on the page |
|---|---|
| X1 | "Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days" |
| X2 | "Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days" |
"No more than 180 days" includes 180 days. "More than 180 days" starts after 180 days.
Basic documents
The basic documents paragraph opens with the condition that governs the rest of the list: "As required by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General in your locality". It then asks you to fill in the visa application form online and to submit your passport and photo, proof of legal stay or residence, and the previous Chinese passport or previous Chinese visa. The paragraph ends with the words "together with the following", and the X1 and X2 sections follow.
X1 papers
The X1 section lists two items:
- The Admission Letter issued by a school or other admitting entity in China;
- The Confirmation Form for Study in China (Form JW201 or Form JW202).
Under the heading "Please note:", the X1 section adds this:
The holder must, within 30 days of entering China, apply for a residence permit at the exit-entry administration of the public security bureau of the people's government at or above the county level of the intended place of residence.
As a suggestion, not a rule, count the 30 days from your entry date when you plan your first weeks. For the form itself, see the JW201 form explained. For the residence permit step, see the X1 and X2 student visa and residence permit guide.
X2 papers
The X2 section of this page lists one paper: the Admission Letter issued by a school or other admitting entity in China. The X2 section lists no JW form, and it mentions no residence permit note.
The basic documents paragraph states that requirements are "As required by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General in your locality". The embassy handling the application may ask for more than the X2 section lists.
What Article 7 item 11 of the Regulations says
The English text published by the National Immigration Administration reads, in item 11 of Article 7:
(11) To apply for the X1 visa, the applicant shall, in accordance with relevant provisions, submit the admission notice issued by the admission institution and the certification documents provided by the competent authority; to apply for the X2 visa, the applicant shall, in accordance with relevant provisions, submit such certification documents as the admission notice issued by the admission institution; and
For the X1 visa, item 11 names the admission notice issued by the admission institution, together with certification documents from the competent authority. For the X2 visa, item 11 names such certification documents as the admission notice issued by the admission institution.
The visa page writes "Admission Letter" and item 11 writes "admission notice". These wordings come from different documents, so check the exact wording the embassy asks for.
Questions people ask
Does the X2 section ask for a JW201 or JW202 form?
The X2 section lists no JW form. The only paper it lists is the Admission Letter issued by a school or other admitting entity in China. The embassy handling the application may ask for more.
Does the 30-day residence permit note apply to X2?
The X2 section mentions no residence permit. The 30-day note is printed under the X1 section of the page.
Sources
- Visa Application Instructions, China Consular Services, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC
- Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners, English text, National Immigration Administration
Checked 11 October 2026
This page is an unofficial summary. It is not published by or affiliated with the Ministry of Education, the China Scholarship Council, the National Immigration Administration, any embassy or any university, and it is not legal advice. If the official text differs from this page, the official text and the current notice of the office handling your case prevail.