Introduction

It is every applicant’s responsibility to ensure that they apply for and obtain a Chinese Visa before the program starts. Go Abroad China will provide the required documents and assist the applicants during their visa application process.

To apply for a Chinese visa, we advise our participant to contact their closest Chinese Embassy or Consulate to inquire about their individual Visa application process (required documents, length of the application process, type of visa…).

Most of our participants apply for Student or Business visa and some of them also apply for a Tourist visa. The type of visa you should apply for depends on many criteria such as the length of your stay, the time you have before your departure, your country of origin….

Which visa should you apply for?

Student Visa (X type)and Business Visa (F type)

Depending on your nationality and personal situation, the visa process can vary in length, cost and application requirements, however the following will be required from all applicants:

• Completed Visa Application form (can be obtained from the Chinese embassy or consulate. The form may also be downloaded online from certain Chinese embassy websites, please check your home country’s site).
• Two recent passport photos.
• A valid passport will also be required with at least six month remaining.
• Applicants wishing to apply for an X type visa will require physical examination records.
• Full visa application fee.

Provided by GAC once the application procedure has been successful and the full program fees have been paid:

• A “JW202” form. These forms are issued by the Chinese Ministry of Education.
• An Enrollment/Invitation letter from your chosen institution.

Tourist Visa (L type)

Tourist visas are generally easier, quicker and cheaper to apply and get than the two previous types, especially because they require less documents for their application.

Ideal for short term students, Tourist Visas are available for 30-90 day durations with single, double, or multiple entries. We usually recommend our applicant to apply for a Tourist visa (L type) if:

• The applicant’s program will last less than 90 days.
• Late applicants (start their program within 2 weeks after the visa application).
• Students who don’t have time or are unable to apply for an F or X visa.

For Tourist visa application, GAC will assist the applicant in the visa application process and provide him with the necessary document. If it is necessary (not for short-term programs), once the student has arrived in China, GAC will help him/her convert the visa to one that is more suitable to his/her requirements while in China.

Health Examination

A health examination is necessary for all students wishing to stay in China for over six months; these will be the students who have, or wish to upgrade to an X visa.The health examination can be performed in your home country or once in China.

Health Examination In Home Country

Health examination in your home country is permissible but must conform to the following standards:

• The certificate of health submitted for check shall be issued by a public hospital of the country or region where the person resides and shall be stamped with the common seal of the examination-performing hospital and be signed by the practitioner, or shall be notarized by a notary organ of the country or region where the person resides if issued by a private hospital;
• The certificate of health shall be an original copy with the photo of the examinee and attached with the original laboratory sheet and report sheet. The examination items include internal medical, surgical, five sense organs, electrocardiogram, chest x-ray and the laboratory examinations which shall consist of the serologically defined examinations for AIDS, venereal diseases, infectious hepatitis. If there is any nonconformity in the certificate of health, the quarantine inspection physician is entitled to demand the applicant to re-take the examination or take supplementary examination.
  

Health Examination In China

The health examination can take place once you have arrived in China and would cost around 400 RMB. Of course GAC will help you to handle with this procedure.Please note that you need to have an empty stomach bedore attending the examination. The results are usually obtained within 3-5 days.

Health Certificate

Once you have received your Health Examination papers, you will need to obtain a health certificate. This will require you, with the assistance of GAC to bring:

• Your passport.
• 2 passport-sized photos.
• the Health Examination papers to the Beijing Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau.

If everything is in order they will issue you with a health certificate, the cost of this will be 40 RMB.