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China · X1 or X2 study visa

China Student Visa (X1 or X2) from Pakistan

China issues the X1 visa for study longer than 180 days and the X2 visa for study of 180 days or less. You need an admission letter and a JW201 or JW202 form from your Chinese university, then apply online and submit your passport at Gerry's Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Pakistan. X1 holders must turn their visa into a residence permit within 30 days of arriving.

Last reviewed 8 October 2026

At a glance

Who issues it
The Chinese Embassy and consulates in Pakistan
Apply from
Online, then in person at Gerry's Chinese Visa Application Service Center
Main document
Admission letter plus Form JW201 or JW202 from your university
X1 or X2
X1 for study longer than 180 days; X2 for 180 days or less
After arrival
X1 holders apply for a residence permit at the local exit-entry office
Work while studying
Only part-time work or internships approved by your university and the authorities

Who this is for

  • Students admitted to a degree programme at a Chinese university (X1)
  • Chinese Government Scholarship and other scholarship holders
  • Students on MBBS and other English-taught programmes
  • Language or exchange students staying for one semester or less (X2)

When another route fits better

  • For business meetings or trade fairs, the M visa is the correct route.
  • If you have a job offer in China, you need a Z work visa, not a student visa.
  • For a tourist trip or to visit campuses, apply for an L visa.

Documents to prepare

For the visa

  • Passport valid for more than six months, with at least one blank visa page
  • Copy of your passport information page and both sides of your CNIC
  • Admission letter from the Chinese university
  • Form JW201 or JW202, or the printed online confirmation
  • Police character certificate covering your history to date, apostilled by MOFA if it has no verifiable QR code
  • Scholarship letter, or a sponsor's bank statement covering the whole study period
  • Digital photo on a white background, uploaded with the online form
  • Visa application confirmation from the online system

For X1 and the residence permit

  • Physical Examination Record for Foreigner, if your university or the embassy asks for it
  • Attested degrees and transcripts, where your university requires them
  • Proof of where you will live, for registration after arrival

Step by step

  1. 1

    Get admitted

    Apply to the university directly or through a scholarship scheme. Once you are admitted, the university sends your admission letter and JW201 or JW202.

  2. 2

    Check which visa you need

    Choose X1 if your study lasts more than 180 days and X2 if it is shorter. A purpose or category that does not match your study is a common reason for refusal.

  3. 3

    Get your police certificate

    Apply for a police character certificate that covers your whole history to date. If it has no verifiable QR code, get it apostilled by MOFA.

  4. 4

    Apply online

    Complete the visa application online, upload your documents and select the mission that covers your area. Enter the university's full official name as the inviting organisation.

  5. 5

    Submit at Gerry's centre

    After you receive the online approval email, take your passport, application certificate and original documents to the Gerry's centre and give your fingerprints in person.

  6. 6

    Arrive and get your residence permit

    X1 holders must apply for a residence permit at the local exit-entry office within 30 days of entry. Your university's international office usually guides you, including any medical check.

Costs to plan for

  • The visa fee and the service centre charge
  • The police certificate, MOFA apostille and attestation of academic documents
  • A medical examination, in Pakistan or after arrival
  • The residence permit fee after arrival
  • Tuition and accommodation, unless a scholarship covers them
  • Health insurance required by your university

Why applications get refused

  • False or altered documents
  • Wrong or incomplete information, such as the wrong inviting organisation name or missing signatures and stamps
  • A visa category that does not match the length or purpose of your study
  • Not enough money shown for your stay
  • A police certificate that does not cover the required period or is not apostilled when needed
  • Not attending an interview or sending extra documents when the officer asks

Tips before you apply

  • Copy the university's name exactly from your JW form into the application.
  • Apply for your police certificate early, as it must cover your full history.
  • For MBBS, check that the university is approved to teach the programme to international students and that the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council will recognise the degree.
  • Start your residence permit application soon after you arrive; an X1 visa on its own only gets you into China.

Questions people ask

Both are official study forms issued by your Chinese university. JW201 is generally for Chinese government scholarship students, and JW202 is for self-funded students and most other cases.

X1 is for study of more than 180 days, such as a degree. X2 is for shorter study, such as a language course of one semester or less.

You apply online first. After the online application is approved, you submit your passport and original documents at Gerry's Chinese Visa Application Service Center. The embassy's instructions explain which mission covers your area.

Only with permission. Part-time work or an internship needs approval from your university and must be recorded with the exit-entry authorities. Working without it breaches your status.

There are several channels, including through the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan and directly through universities. Each has its own deadlines, so check the embassy's notices and your chosen university's website.

Official sources

Fees, fund requirements and processing times change. Check the current figures on the official site before you apply.

Last reviewed 8 October 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. VisaWala is not affiliated with any embassy or government, and only the issuing authority decides a visa application.