What is a Visa and why do I need it?
A Visa is simply a conditional authorization granted by a country to a foreigner that allows the foreigner to enter, remain within, study, work or to leave that country
How do I determine which Visa I need?
The following categories are the types of Visa and categories
| Visa Category | Description of Visa |
| C-Crew Visa | Issued to foreign crew members of means of international transportation, including aircraft, trains and ships, or motor vehicle drivers engaged in cross-border transport activities |
| D-Reside Visa | Issued to those who intend to reside in China permanently. You must apply in person. Please visit consulate website for information. |
|
F-Educational Business
|
Issued to those who intend to go to China for educational exchanges, visits, study tours and other educational activities. Usually invitee who present college or university invitations will be granted this visa or summer/winter camp attendees. |
| G | Issued to those who intend to transit through China and stay in the airport over 24 hours. Currently direct transit travelers with a confirmed airline ticket do not need a transit visa. |
| J1-Forign Journalists | Issued to resident foreign journalists of foreign news organizations stationed in China. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. |
| J2-Foreign Journalists | Issued to foreign journalists who intend to go to China for short-term news coverage. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days. |
| L-Tourist Visa | Issued to those who intend to go to China as a tourist. |
| M-Business Visa | Issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities. |
| Q1 | Issued to those who are family members of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and intend to go to China for family reunion, or to those who intend to go to China for the purpose of foster care. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. You must apply in person |
| Q2- Family Visa | Issued to those who intend to visit their relatives who are Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with permanent residence in China. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days. |
| R | Issued to those who have high-level talents or whose skills are urgently needed in China. R visa’s criteria changes every year, please call us to inquire if you fit the qualification for R visa. |
| S1- Relatives Long Term Visa | Issued to those who intend to go to China to visit foreigners working or studying in China to whom they are spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 or parents-in-law, or to those who intend to go to China for other private affairs. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. |
| S2- Short Term X and Z Relatives Visa |
Issued to those who intend to visit their family members who are foreigners working or studying in China, or to those who intend to go to China for other private matters. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days.
|
| X1-Student | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days. |
| X2-Student | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days. |
| Z-Work Visa | Issued to those who intend to work in China. |
What is duration of stay, validity and entries?
Duration of stay – How long you can stay in China after you enter. Visas are usually granted with 10, 30, 60, 90, 120, and max of 180 days. Some other duration of stay might be granted as well. For example, if you are granted 30 days of stay, and you enter China on Jan 1 2018, then you must leave before or on Feb 1 2018. You are only allowed to stay in China for a max of 30 days.
Validity – Validity is how long the visa is valid for. Visas are usually valid for 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and up to 10 years. On your visa, the enter on or before date is the valid visa date. The visa is valid to that date which means that you can enter China before or on that date. It is legal under China immigration and custom laws to exit China even if your visa expires as long as you exit within your granted duration.
Entries – Entries is how many times you can enter China. Visas usually have single – meaning you can enter China once and that visa is invalid after, double – meaning you can enter China twice, and multiple – meaning you can enter China as many times as you like. U.S. passport holders are usually granted multiple entries (some exceptions apply).
If you want to go to China to study Chinese language, it's better to find a school that can issue required documents for you to apply for official student visa so you can stay and study without concern about visa.
SN Mandarin is able to issue required documents for our program applicants to apply for X1 or X2 visa, for a duration from 2 months to 12 months each time. If you are interested, please contact us to learn more!
Keywords: student visa in shanghai, Chinese language programs with student visa, Chinese school offering student visa in Shanghai
