X1 or X2: which visa a university admission leads to
Your admission leads to an X1 or an X2 visa based on how long you will study. Order No. 42, Article 35 states that a foreigner who applies to study at a school referred to in Article 2 of these Measures shall, before entry, apply for an X1 or X2 visa according to the length of study.
Order No. 42 is published in Chinese. The English wording of its articles in this article is this site's translation of that Chinese text.
The study period sets the visa class
Order No. 42, Article 35 states that a foreigner who applies to study at a school referred to in Article 2 of these Measures shall, before entry, apply for an X1 or X2 visa according to the length of study.
Order No. 42, Article 45 defines the two lengths. Short-term study means study at a school in China for no more than 180 days (inclusive). Long-term study means study at a school in China for more than 180 days.
The Regulations of the PRC on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners, Article 6, item 11 states that the X1 visa is issued to persons who apply for long-term study in China, and the X2 visa is for persons who apply for short-term study in China.
The Visa Application Instructions of the PRC (China Consular Services) list the two categories by study length. The X1 row reads: "Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days." The X2 row reads: "Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days."
Where and when to apply
Order No. 42, Article 35 states the application shall be made before entry, at the Chinese embassy or consulate in the applicant's country of nationality or residence, or at other overseas institutions entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Documents to submit
Order No. 42, Article 35: the applicant shall submit the certificate filed (for the record) by the education authority and the admission notice issued by the school, together with other relevant materials, in accordance with the provisions.
The Regulations, Article 7, item 11 states the documents by visa class. To apply for the X1 visa, the applicant shall 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 submit such certification documents as the admission notice issued by the admission institution.
Questions people ask
Can I apply for the visa after I enter China?
Order No. 42, Article 35 states the application for the X1 or X2 visa shall be made before entry.
If my study lasts exactly 180 days, which visa do I get?
Order No. 42, Article 45 defines short-term study as study at a school in China for no more than 180 days (inclusive). The Visa Application Instructions, X2 row, describes X2 as issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days. Both texts name "no more than 180 days" as the limit, so a study lasting exactly 180 days falls within the short-term, X2 category.
Sources
- Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students (学校招收和培养国际学生管理办法), Order No. 42 of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security — Ministry of Education of the PRC (moe.gov.cn)
- Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners — National Immigration Administration
- Visa Application Instructions of the People's Republic of China, China Consular Services website — Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC (China Consular Services, cs.mfa.gov.cn)
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 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.