Easy way to get a Chinese Visa: Student Visa Monday, 20 September 2010 11:13 Written by Kaatje

Being a European living in one of the Schengen countries getting a “real visa” was new for me. The only visa I had before was while travelling to Istanbul; I paid ten euro’s after leaving the plane and got a paper, a sticker on it and a stamp on top. Didn’t even need my passport…

Getting a Chese visa is a whole different story! A lot of paperwork needs to be done, and depending on the political relationship between China and your home country (the country that gave you your passport) it can be more difficult to get a visa tomorrow than it was yesterday. But in general, if you follow all the rules and regulations, it doesn’t need to be too difficult.

I assume most Dolls arrive in China with one of the three following visa options: a spouse visa, a student visa or a work visa. The first one is the easiest: make your boyfriend’s or husband’s company arrange everything. To get a spouse visa the most important paper you need is one confirming that you belong together, this can be a marriage license, or a paper stating that you live together, pay taxes together, etc. In some countries (like the Netherlands) the embassy will say a spouse visa is not an option if you’re not married, try hard because I know from a lot of girls that it ís possible. If you can get this arranged it will make your life a lot easier, because this kind of visa can be changed to a work visa for example, while a student visa can’t be changed to a work visa easily.

This blog will focus on the second kind of visa: Student visa better known as an X-visa. For exact details please don’t rely on this blog, but check the website of the Chinese embassy in your country (http://china.visahq.com/).

First, apply in a Chinese university. They will need things like your latest diploma, a small administration fee (approximately 450 RMB) and a copy of your passport. They will send you an Admission Notice, which you need for getting an entrance visa. Your will also need a confirmation of your flights and some other paperwork (again, check the website of the embassy!).

After arriving in China you need to register with the police within 24 hours. Some buildings and hotels will do this for you, but always make sure you get the “Registration form of temporary residence”, a "pink slip" (used to be a pink paper, but it's a white A4 paper now) which tells where you live.

Next step is to take the physical examination. Most universities will accompany the students to the hospital, the check takes about one hour and includes a thorax photo, testing of the ears and eyes, etc. It shouldn’t cost more than 100RMB. Of course, better not ask for too much attention; don’t mention any diseases when they are not asking. The whole idea is that you get a record mentioning you are perfectly healthy.

Once you have all your paperwork (passport + 1 copy, some extra photo’s, registration form of temporary residence + 1 copy, medical examination report, visa application form from your university, admission notice + 1 copy, and a paper confirming that you are actually a student of their’s [JW02-form]) go to a Shanghai Exit-Entry Bureau (see Directory for addresses). Preferably go in the morning and avoid Friday afternoons! I went one Friday afternoon, got my ticket and it said there were 80 people in line before me, with only three desks open and the Bureau closing in one hour.

Your visa should be ready after 5 workings days. You can buy a special envelope there for 25RMB, than they deliver it to your house. Visa application forms and a copying machine should normally be in the building.

Some last suggestions:

Normally you need to renew your visa every semester. If you know for sure you will be staying longer in Shanghai and in university, you can pay upfront for an extra semester. Than they will give you a visa for one year (instead of six months). If you change universities in this period you need to ‘update’ your visa: take the admission note from the new university to a Shanghai Exit-Entry Bureau and they will change your profile.

Make sure that your university applies for a multiple-entry visa, normally you are ‘allowed’ one, it’s a lot easier when you want to travel abroad.

Comments 

 

#7 Magic's contacts — elena 2010-10-27 10:34

Kikka, I sent you PM with all his contacts. Good luck with your visa!

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#6 RE: Easy way to get a Chinese Visa: Student Visa — Kikka 2010-10-27 08:22

HI Elena,

can I have the 'Magic' contact? (ehehehehe)

Cheers

Kikka

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#5 RE: Easy way to get a Chinese Visa: Student Visa — elena 2010-10-18 12:06

If someone needs help with visa I can recommend the guy who was dealing with my first visa in China. His name is Magic (yes, he really can do magic with China visas). His company works with all passports. PM or email me for his contact details.

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#4 Cool — JenSomeone 2010-10-12 10:01

Cool article :) I'm sure a lot will be able to make use of the info! :)

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#3 RE: Easy way to get a Chinese Visa: Student Visa — cheeky monkey 2010-09-24 10:07

kikka- The 1st year i was here i had a relocation company get a 1 year L visa for less than 3500rmb. They had different rates depending on the passport one was holding. It was more expensive for an american passport. If there is no intention to study chinese at a university, (abt 9krmb)for a semester plus a student visa for just 6 months, L visa is still a cheaper option.
I dont know if that is possible now. They tightened the rules after the BJ Olympics i heard. You may want to ask around.

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#2 RE: Easy way to get a Chinese Visa: Student Visa — Kaatje 2010-09-20 22:15

Quoting Kikka:

is it necessary to attend the university?
Cheers
Kikka

Hi Kikka,
To get a student visa you need to attend a school, I'm not sure if other schools than university are an option...
Could you give some more info about your friends' situation, maybe I have some suggestions or answers.

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#1 Question — Kikka 2010-09-20 19:18

I am hare with a souse visa but I would like to get a better grasp of the whole process for a friend of mine: is it necessary to attend the university?
Cheers
Kikka

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