The "Short-Term" China Student Visa (X2 Visa) for Study Stays up to 180 Days
The "short-term" China Student Visa is required for activities like language courses or courses in traditional Chinese medicine in China that do not exceed 180 days. It can be extended once for the same period originally issued, provided studies continue. However, the total stay in China must not exceed 360 days.
Key Details
| Purpose of Travel | Short-term study in China |
| Duration of Stay | Up to 180 days |
| Number of Entries | Single |
| Validity Period | 90 days from issuance until entry into China |
Required Documents
- Completed visa application (exclusively online since May 2019)
- Coloured biometric passport photo against a light background (approx. 1.4 × 1.8 inches)
- Passport with at least 6 months validity and one blank page
- Admission letter from the university or academy including: full institution address on letterhead, plus your name, date of birth, and course start/end dates — signed and stamped. The admission letter is issued in China and can be emailed as a scan (original is not required for the visa application).
Validity and Duration
The short-term student visa allows for a single entry into China within 90 days of issuance for the duration of the enrolled course (maximum 180 days). Upon continuation of the course with relevant documentation, the visa can be extended once for the same duration it was originally issued. The total stay must not exceed 360 days.
The X2 visa is always issued for single entry — short trips to Hong Kong or neighboring countries are not possible without a new visa.
Apply for Chinese Visa