X1 — Long-term study (more than 180 days) Verified 2026-06-09China Student Visa (X1 — Long-term Study)
The X1 visa for Indian students enrolled in a Chinese institution for long-term study of more than 180 days. Applied through CVASC, then a residence permit is obtained in China.
No visa is ever guaranteed — the final decision always rests with the China visa authority. We make sure your file is presented at its strongest.
Processing
Regular
Stay Duration
Long-term
Starting Fee
₹2,900
Apply At
5 VFS centres
Your whole China Student Visa,
handled for one honest price.
A strong China file clearly explains your travel purpose, funds, and ties to India. We structure and submit everything properly — so your case is presented clearly and professionally.
All-in · 18% GST included · no hidden charges
File-ready in 3–5 working days after documents
5★ · 100+ reviews · reply in 5 min
Everything below — included, nothing extra
- Document checklist
- Application form guidance
- Document review
- Cover letter
- Purpose of travel structure
- Financial proof review
- Sponsor document guidance
- Submission & appointment support
- Post-submission guidance
Not sure you qualify? Start with a refundable ₹499 possibility report — an honest Yes / Maybe / No, credited to this fee.
Price is for our consultancy service only and includes 18% GST. No agency can guarantee a visa — the final decision rests with the visa authority.
Your fee, in one glance
What the ₹24,999–₹34,999 fee covers for a China file
- We work out what your case actually is, before touching a form
- We build the checklist around your profile, not a template
- We read your documents against each other, not against a list
- Financial proof review
- Purpose of travel structuring
- Cover letter / explanation support
- Return ties review
- Sponsor / invitation guidance
- Application form guidance
- Submission & appointment support
- Biometrics guidance
- Post-submission support
Government, VFS, insurance, ticket and hotel costs are separate and charged at cost. Read what each item means, in full.
Good to know before you apply
Rules that apply to every China visa type — worth a quick read so nothing trips up your file.
- 1China is NOT a Schengen country — a Chinese visa is required for Indian passport holders and does not cover any other country.
- 2Original passport with at least 6 months' remaining validity and more than 2 blank visa pages (front & back). For a multiple-entry visa, passport validity should cover the visa validity plus your stay. Carry a photocopy of the passport data page (and the photo page if separate). Old/expired passports from the last 5 years are required.
- 3Photo: 33×48 mm, colour, plain white background, taken within the last 6 months. Digital e-photo for upload must be 354–420 px wide × 472–560 px high, JPEG, 40 KB–120 KB. Head fully shown, no hat/cap, no coloured glasses, neutral expression, mouth closed; the face/head must occupy the central area as per the official photo specification.
- 4Apply through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) in your jurisdiction (Delhi / Mumbai / Kolkata / Chennai). The COVA form is completed online; submission and the actual photo are IN PERSON.
- 5Jurisdiction matters: apply at the CVASC that covers your state of residence. Applying at the wrong centre can lead to refusal of acceptance.
- 6Bank statement (where required) must show a balance of at least ₹1,00,000 maintained consistently for the past 6 months — temporary or sudden deposits are not accepted, and inconsistent balances can lead to non-acceptance.
- 7The invitation letter may be a fax, photocopy or computer printout. The consular officer may request additional documents, supplementary materials, or an interview.
- 8All information must be true and correct — any false, misleading or incomplete information may result in visa denial or refusal of entry into China.
- 9If you were once a Chinese citizen and now hold a foreign passport, provide your previous Chinese passport / previous Chinese visa copies (and an official name-change document if your name differs).
- 10X1 is for long-term study over 180 days; X2 is for short-term study of 180 days or less.
- 11X1 holders must apply for a residence permit at the local public security authority within 30 days of entry to China.
- 12A certificate of physical examination may be required — download the form from the Chinese Embassy in India's website.
Who Can Apply
- Indian students admitted to a Chinese university or institution for study over 180 days
- Applicants holding an Admission Notice from a Chinese school/entity
- Applicants holding the JW201 or JW202 'Visa Application for Study in China' form
- Applicants who can pass the certificate of physical examination where required
Not eligible under this visa:
- Short-term study of 180 days or less — apply for the X2 visa
- Applicants without an Admission Notice or JW201/JW202 form
- Tourism / leisure — apply for the L tourist visa
- Employment in China — apply for the Z work visa via your employer
What it costs
Government & VFS fees
Paid directly to China / VFS — these are not our service fee, and we never mark them up.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa fee — single entry | ₹2,900 |
| Visa fee — double entry | ₹4,400 |
| Visa fee — 6-month multiple entry | ₹5,900 |
| Visa fee — 1-year multiple entry | ₹8,800 |
| Group visa | ₹1,800 |
| Express service surcharge | ₹2,700 / ₹1,800 |
| CVASC service fee — regular | ₹2,085 |
| CVASC service fee — express | ₹3,073 |
| Postal service (optional) | ₹988 |
| Premium lounge service (optional) | ₹3,073 |
Visa fees are collected on behalf of the Chinese Embassy and the total payable = visa fee + CVASC service fee, paid in cash or by Demand Draft at the centre. The CVASC application service fee is non-refundable. For express service (4th-working-day collection), submit before 12 PM and collect after 3 PM on the 4th working day. The fee schedule is adjusted every quarter in line with the USD/INR exchange rate, so confirm the current amounts at the centre before applying. The consular officer decides the validity, duration of stay and number of entries based on your profile.
Flights · Hotels · Insurance · Itinerary
What China actually requires — and what it does not.
China assesses purpose, funds and your reason to return — this paperwork exists to make those three answerable.
0 of 4 are compulsory for China
Flight reservation
A return reservation covering your stated dates. A real held PNR is enough; paying for a ticket before a decision puts money at risk.
Where people slip: Dates that do not match the application form.
How to hold a flight without payingHotel booking
Accommodation for the stay, or a host's invitation carrying their address and status.
Where people slip: Nights with nothing shown against them.
Refundable hotel booking, explainedTravel insurance
Check the specific requirement for China before buying — it varies, and being sold cover you do not need is common.
Where people slip: A policy that does not cover the full length of the stay.
What the cover must actually sayTravel itinerary
A short plan tying the trip to a real reason and a return date.
Where people slip: A plan longer than your approved leave.
The letter your itinerary attaches toWe arrange all four for your China file.
We are a B2B travel agency as well as a visa consultancy, working with partners including Riya Travel — so the flight, the hotel and the policy all come from us, issued the same day, and you deal with one team instead of four. Every booking is a real one under your own name.
What to gather
Documents required
Having a document isn't the same as presenting it right — that's the part we handle.
Core Documents
5 items- Original passportRequired
Original passport with at least 6 months' remaining validity and more than 2 blank visa pages (front & back). For a multiple-entry visa, passport validity should cover the visa validity plus your stay. Carry a photocopy of the passport data page (and the photo page if separate). Old/expired passports from the last 5 years are required.
- COVA visa application form (online, printed & signed)Required
Complete online, upload the e-photo, then print and sign.
- One recent colour photograph (33×48 mm)Required
Photo: 33×48 mm, colour, plain white background, taken within the last 6 months. Digital e-photo for upload must be 354–420 px wide × 472–560 px high, JPEG, 40 KB–120 KB. Head fully shown, no hat/cap, no coloured glasses, neutral expression, mouth closed; the face/head must occupy the central area as per the official photo specification.
- Photocopy of passport data page (and photo page if separate)Required
- Proof of legal status (if not applying in your country of citizenship)
Original + copy of valid residence / employment / student status where you apply.
Purpose of Stay (Study)
4 items- Original + photocopy of the Admission NoticeRequired
Issued by the school or other entity in China.
- Original + photocopy of Form JW201 or JW202Required
'Visa Application for Study in China', issued by the relevant Chinese authorities.
- Applicant's personal covering letterRequired
Places to be visited and inviting party info — name, address, contact person, phone or email.
- Certificate of physical examination
Download the form from the website of the Chinese Embassy in India where required.
Required · optional / if applicable
The journey.
5 steps from intake to approval. Curved spine on the right shows the natural pace — never as linear as government sites pretend.
- 01
Secure admission
Obtain the Admission Notice and the JW201/JW202 form from your Chinese institution / the Chinese authorities.
- 02
Complete a physical examination
Where required, complete the certificate of physical examination using the form from the Chinese Embassy in India's website.
- 03
Complete the COVA form online
Fill the form, upload your e-photo, then print and sign it.
- 04
Submit at CVASC in person
Submit at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center for your jurisdiction with the signed form, actual photo, Admission Notice and JW201/JW202.
- 05
Collect and register in China
Collect on the 6th working day (regular) or 4th (express). After arrival in China, apply for a residence permit at the local public security authority within 30 days.
What works
3 levers that flip a borderline case.
- You need BOTH the Admission Notice and the JW201/JW202 form — the application is not accepted without them.
- X1 is for study over 180 days; for shorter courses use X2 (which only needs the Admission Notice and a covering letter).
- Plan for the residence permit: X1 holders must register with the local public security authority within 30 days of entering China.
What kills cases
Top 3 refusal triggers we see.
- 1Admission Notice or JW201/JW202 form missing or inconsistent
- 2Physical examination certificate missing where required
- 3Incomplete or unsigned COVA form, or wrong jurisdiction centre
Download official forms
Each link opens the official China page on VFS Global (we never host third-party forms): pick your visa category there and use its "Download Form" section for the current version.
China Online Visa Application Form (COVA)
Complete the form online, upload your electronic photo, then print and sign it. Carry the printed, signed form plus one 33×48 mm photo to the centre.
Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) — India
Official application channel for India. Select your jurisdiction (Delhi / Mumbai / Kolkata / Chennai) to see local instructions, hours and appointment details.
VFS application centres
Quiz not yet available for this visa type
We're actively building per-visa quizzes. For now, the best way to assess your eligibility for China Student Visa (X1 — Long-term Study) is a 1-on-1 consultation with our team.
Frequently asked
Questions, answered straight
X1 is for long-term study of more than 180 days and requires the Admission Notice plus the JW201/JW202 form. X2 is for short-term study of 180 days or less and needs only the Admission Notice and a personal covering letter.
The original and photocopy of your Admission Notice from the Chinese school/entity, and the original and photocopy of Form JW201 or JW202 ('Visa Application for Study in China') issued by the Chinese authorities, plus a personal covering letter.
A certificate of physical examination may be required — download the form from the website of the Chinese Embassy in India and complete it where needed.
X1 holders must apply for a residence permit from the immigration department of the local public security authority in the place they intend to stay within 30 days of entering China.
Reviewed by Paramjit Singh, SureshotVisa — a government-licensed consultancy (Licence 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024). Verify us.
How we get it done
Your China China Student Visa, from your first message to your passport back.
5 questions about this visa specifically. The first two are open — tap any other to read it.
Refused? Our full service fee comes back.Government and visa-centre fees are the one part nobody can refund.
+What does China want to see about my funds as a student?
That the money for tuition and living costs exists, is available to you, and came from somewhere explainable. Depending on the country that is a blocked account, a fixed deposit, a sanctioned education loan or a sponsor's income — and the sponsor's relationship to you has to be documented. The most common failure is not a small amount, it is an unexplained one: a large transfer landing shortly before the application, with no trail behind it, reads worse than a smaller balance with history.
+Do I still have to prove I will come back?
Yes, on most study routes — and it surprises people, because the whole point is a multi-year stay. The officer is asking whether the study plan is genuine and whether you intend to comply with the visa, not whether you will never emigrate lawfully later. What answers it is coherence: the course matching your academic history, the cost matching your funding, and a plan that makes sense for someone who intends to finish it.
+How long does a China China Student Visa take, start to finish?
Three things sit between today and your trip: preparing the file properly, waiting for an appointment, and the mission's own processing. China currently states Regular: 6th working day; Express: 4th working day (extra fee) for the decision itself. We control the first, which is usually days. The middle depends on slot releases. The third is entirely the mission's and no consultant can shorten it — anyone telling you otherwise is selling something they cannot deliver. Tell us your travel date and we will tell you honestly whether it is realistic.
+How much of what I pay for the China visa is actually your fee?
Most of it is not ours. The China government fee (currently ₹2,900) goes to the mission and the visa-centre fee goes to VFS — both charged to you at cost, never marked up, and shown as separate lines on one GST invoice in the registered company name. Our service fee is the only part we set, and it is published rather than quoted case by case.
+How does SureshotVisa handle my China China Student Visa, from first message to passport back?
You send what you have on WhatsApp and a licensed consultant says the same working day whether the case is ready. We build the file around your profile, check every document against the others, write the cover letter to match them, and hold the file complete so the first workable appointment can be taken the moment it appears. You attend biometrics; we track the file to the decision (China currently states Regular: 6th working day; Express: 4th working day (extra fee)). Government and visa-centre fees (₹2,900 for this visa) are charged at cost; our own fee is published, and if the visa is refused that fee comes back in full.
Before you file
A China China Student Visa goes one of two ways.
Filed on a guessed checklist, the government fee is gone on a refusal and the refusal follows every future application. Filed after a licensed consultant has read the papers against each other, the file answers the officer's questions before they are asked. Same China rules, different outcome. How we do that is written once, in full, on the method page rather than repeated here.
Other China Visa Types
China Tourist Visa (L Visa)
The L visa for Indian citizens travelling to China for tourism, sightseeing and leisure as independent tourists. Applied through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC).
View guideChina Business Visa (M Visa)
The M visa for Indian professionals travelling to China for commercial and trade activities — trade meetings, fairs, exhibitions and competitions. Applied through CVASC.
View guideChina Family Visit Visa (Q2 / S2)
The Q2 / S2 visa for Indian citizens visiting relatives in China for up to 180 days — relatives who are Chinese nationals, PR holders, or foreigners residing in China. Applied through CVASC.
View guideChina Work Visa (Z Visa — Information Only)
Information only — China Z work visas are NOT processed by SureshotVisa. This page explains the route for reference; the work permit is initiated by your Chinese employer.
View guideSource & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global China website and Embassy of China. Last verified 2026-06-09. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.
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