Let’s just assume for just a minute that you are exploring China. You have been cramming the Chinese customs, its traditions and culture while you discover an amazing study program, that give the impression for you. You choose that you want to change your tourist visa to one that will allow you to remain in China as a student. CAN I STUDY IN CHINA WITH A TOURIST VISA?
Unless you are related to a Chinese citizen, the answer is probably no. In some cases, even if you are related to someone in China, the answer might still be no.
Just like in any other country, all students who plan to study abroad in China need to apply for a visa and more specifically a “student visa””. Foreign students studying in China are obligatory to have an ordinary passport and either a Study visa (X-visa) or a Short-term visa (F-visa study/research period). If you arrive China on a Tourist visa (L-visa) and your program is longer than a month, you’ll have to apply for a new visa and try to apply for a student visa and get enrolled into an institution. You can apply for a Chinese visa from your nearest Chinese Embassy.
Here in china there are three kinds of visa issue to the foreigners and it is very important for someone to understand the actual basis of these visas.
F-visas and X-visas:
This visa is especially issue to the students who wants to study in china for a short or for a long time depending on the program they get enrolled in. here is a list of the documents that you need for the F or X-visa:
- valid passport
- Foreign Student Visa Application Form (JW202)
- Application form that must be signed by the applicant
L-visa:
l-visa is issued to for the tourist who are specifically visiting china for a limited period of time just to explore it. However the JW-202 is parceled to you and may take about 2-4 weeks’ time to be processed once you’ve been accepted by a university but if you want to be in the scene you can apply for the L-visa and experience it by yourself.
General information about visa:
Once you have entered in China, your visa is valid for only 30 days, during these 30 days you need to apply for a residence permit. This residence permit substitutes your visa, and is valid for the period of time you were approved with your original visa.