A Complete Guide to the Chinese Student Visa (X1/X2)

October 6, 2026 · CSCA Gateway Team

China has two types of student visas: X1 for long-term study programs (more than 6 months, such as full bachelor’s/master’s degrees), and X2 for short-term programs (under 6 months, such as short language courses or exchange programs). For most Indonesian students pursuing a full degree, X1 is the relevant type.

Core documents needed for an X1 visa include: a passport valid for at least 6 more months, a completed visa application form, a photo meeting the required specifications, the original Admission Notice from the university, and the JW201/JW202 Form (a special foreign-student form issued by Chinese authorities, usually sent together with the admission letter). All of these only become available AFTER the university has officially accepted your application — so the visa is always the last step, never the first.

Visa applications are submitted at the nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General (in Jakarta, or another city with a Chinese Consulate-General). Standard processing usually takes 4–7 working days, but it’s strongly recommended to apply well ahead of departure (ideally 1–2 months in advance) to allow time for fixing any document issues or dealing with busy queues around the start of a new semester.

After arriving in China, X1 visa holders must apply for a Residence Permit within 30 days of arrival, usually with direct help from the university’s international student affairs office. Don’t delay this step — the residence permit is used for various administrative needs throughout your studies, including travel in and out of China.