Short-term and long-term study in China: the 180-day line in Order No. 42
Short-term study means studying at a school in China for no more than 180 days, inclusive (Order No. 42, Article 45). Long-term study means studying at a school in China for more than 180 days (Order No. 42, Article 45).
The English wording of Order No. 42 is this site's translation of the Chinese text.
Visa categories for short-term and long-term study
Article 6, item 11 of the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners states that an X1 visa is issued to persons who apply for long-term study in China. The same item states that an X2 visa is for persons who apply for short-term study in China (Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners, Article 6, item 11).
Visa application before entry
A foreigner applying to study at a school referred to in Article 2 shall apply before entry for an X1 or X2 visa, according to the study period (Order No. 42, Article 35).
The application shall be submitted to the Chinese embassy or consulate in the applicant's country of nationality or country of residence, or to another overseas institution entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Order No. 42, Article 35).
The applicant shall submit, in accordance with the relevant provisions, proof that has been filed for the record with the competent education authority, the notice of admission issued by the school, and other relevant materials (Order No. 42, Article 35).
Residence permit after entry
When an international student's study visa states that a residence document is required after entry, the student shall apply for a residence permit for foreigners for study within 30 days from the date of entry (Order No. 42, Article 36).
The application shall be made to the entry-exit administration department of the public security in the intended place of residence (Order No. 42, Article 36).
Sources
- Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students, Order No. 42 of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security, published by the Ministry of Education of the PRC
- Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners, published by the National Immigration Administration
Checked 11 October 2026
This page is an unofficial summary, is not published by or affiliated with the Ministry of Education, the China Scholarship Council or any university, is not legal advice, and the official text and the current notice of the university or authority handling your case prevail if they differ.