Student Visa

Passport

You must provide your actual signed passport, including one copy of the personal information page of your passport. Your passport must:

• Be valid for six months beyond the length of your requested visa (for example, if you are requesting a 12 month visa your passport must be valid for 18 months )

• Contain at least two blank visa pages for the visa stamp (amendments and endorsement pages cannot be used to fulfill this requirement)

• Not be frayed, torn, separating, or altered in any other way

If your passport does not meet these requirements, please contact China Visa Service Center at 1-800-799-6560 for further details.

Photograph(s)

The Chinese Consulate requires a photograph that meets very strict requirements. We strongly recommend that you submit your photograph electronically to China Visa Service Center so we can ensure it meets the stringent characteristics mandated by the Chinese Consulate. Follow https://www.mychinavisa.com/photo-service to upload your photo.

All electronic photo submissions must be taken within the last six months against an all-white background. It must show a full frontal view of your head, face centered in the middle, the tops of your shoulders, and display a neutral (non-smiling) expression with eyes open, mouth closed, and ears visible. No background light or shadows are permitted. You may not wear eyeglasses, jewelry, or headwear except for religious purposes. Do not wear a white shirt. 

Should you elect to submit an actual photograph then it must meet all of the above criteria and:

• Be exactly 48 mm tall by 33 mm wide 
• Be printed on high-quality photo paper
• Not be affixed to your application, with no evidence of adhesive tape or staples

Note that most passport photo vendors produce photos that are 2 inches by 2 inches and are not acceptable. China Visa Service Center cannot submit applications with incorrectly formatted photographs.

JW202 Form--Only Required For Stays Longer Than 180 Days

A letter of acceptance from your Chinese based educational establishment is required. Please:

• Compare your JW202 with your passport and verify that your name, date of birth, passport number and birth city are the same on your passport and your JW202
• Submit both the original and a copy with your application materials.  The original will be returned to you with your visa
• Sign and date the form
  

Letter of Invitation

You must obtain an original official letter of invitation from your sponsor. The organization you will be visiting is responsible for providing the invitation. This letter must:

• Specify the number of entries you are requesting for your visa
• Show your name exactly as it appears on your passport

Proof of State Residency

You must provide a proof of your current address of residency. The document must either be a copy of the front of your driver's license or government ID, or a utility bill. The document must:

• Display your name as it appears on your passport
• Display the current residence address as provided on your visa application

Please note, if you must submit a utility bill the consulate requires electric, gas, or a water bill; phone and cable bills are not accepted.

China Visa Service Center Order Form

Provide the China Visa Service Center Order Form included in this kit.

Visa Application Form

You must complete your China visa application form online. Log on to https://www.mychinavisa.com/formfill-order/china-online-form after you have placed your order to complete this requirement, which will ensure your documentation is accurately prepared and correctly submitted according to consular guidelines.

China Visa Service Center provides a guide to assist you in completing the application. To access the guide follow this link: https://www.mychinavisa.com/forms?formname=China Application Guide.pdf or type the address into your browser.

Health Declaration

Applicants must provide the Health Declaration Form which can be found within the China Visa Service Center Application kit.

Proof of Travel Arrangements

You must provide proof of travel arrangements for the duration of your trip. Details of your intended arrangements must:

• Include a copy of an itinerary or e-ticket that displays your round trip travel and entry and exit dates for your destination
• Show the traveler's full name (as printed in his or her passport)

Former PRC Nationals or Individuals Born in Chinese Territories

If you are a former PRC passport holder or were born in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau:

• You must write your name in Chinese characters for question 1.2 on the visa application form
• You must provide a copy of your most recent China visa and a copy of the passport in which the visa was issued
• If you have never been issued a China visa you must submit your original China passport and a copy of your Green Card, and a copy of your Naturalization Certificate
• If you were adopted from China you must also include a copy of your adoption papers showing adoptive parents names, name change, and photo with parents (do not include the original papers).  If applicable, include a copy of your naturalization certificate and U.S. birth certificate.

Travel to Hong Kong or Macau

Visiting Hong Kong or Macau is considered leaving China. You must obtain a multiple entry visa if you leave Mainland China to visit Hong Kong and Macau with the intention to re-enter the mainland before finally departing from China.

U.S. Citizens Born in Certain Countries

U.S. citizens born in Afghanistan, Cameroon, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Nigeria, Tunisia, Turkey, or Syria who are currently traveling to China with their American passport will need to make a personal appearance in order to apply for a visa to China. China Visa Service Center will be unable to assist you with your visa request.

Previous Visas

If you have been granted a China visa in the past, you must provide a copy of the most recent issued China visa. If the visa is not located in your current passport, you must submit the original passport containing the previous China visa.

Applicants Under the Age of 18

All minors traveling to China must provide a copy of their birth certificate in addition to the other visa requirements specified in these instructions.  Other conditions apply:

• The parents of the minor must provide a copy of each parent’s US Passport
• If the parents are not U.S. citizens, they must provide a copy of their U.S. Status
• If the parents are not accompanying the minor on the trip, both parents must provide a notarized consent letter that states the child has permission to travel. To access a sample consent letter follow this link: https://www.mychinavisa.com/forms?formname=ParentalConsent.pdf or type the address into your browser
• On page 4 of the application, one parent must complete and sign sections 4 and 5.
• Both parents must supply a copy of a current driver's license.

Applicants with Criminal Record

Travelers with a criminal record will be required to appear in person at the consulate in order to provide biometrics.

Urgent Applications

If you have an urgent visa application that carries a tight deadline, China Visa Service Center can help you to save valuable time and avoid expensive delays. A China Visa Service Center expert will review all of your documents to certify your application is accurate, complete and ready for submission. We will contact you personally to quickly handle any mistakes ensuring your application is submitted correctly. Visit https://www.mychinavisa.com/visa-pre-check-service to learn more about this service.

"Where You Stay" Form

You must provide a completed and signed "Where You Stay" form included in this kit.

Military Statement

If you have ever served in the military, are in active military duty, are on the reserves or retired from the military, the Chinese Consulate request a separate personal statement describing your current/past military service. Use the letter template included in the kit to complete this requirement. The letter must include the following information:

• Address your letter to Consulate of the People's Republic of China
• Your Full name
• Job Description in Military/Rank
• Training
• Complete service date (start/end dates)
• Work Frequency, etc.
• Indicate if you are in the military reserves or not.
• If in the military reserves, when you started and when you will finish
• How often you report
• Signed and Dated

The dates on your statement must match the dates on your application form for question #8.8 and #8.12. The military information including dates of service must also be included in the Employment History section (3.3) of your application form.

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