Step-by-step guide to the China student visa from Bangladesh: X1 vs X2, documents for the Dhaka visa centre, bank proof, JW201/JW202, fees and the residence permit after arrival.
To get a China student visa from Bangladesh, you first need an admission letter from a Chinese university. For a degree programme longer than 180 days, you also need a JW201 or JW202 form, and you apply for an X1 visa. For a short course of 180 days or less, you apply for an X2 visa. Applications are filed online and then submitted in person at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Dhaka. After arriving in China on an X1 visa, you must apply for a residence permit within 30 days.
This guide explains each step for Bangladeshi students and guardians for the 2027 intake, using requirements published by the Dhaka visa centre and Chinese government sources. Visa rules can change at short notice, so always check the visa centre's website before you apply.
For the full study journey, from choosing a university to arrival, see our complete guide to studying in China from Bangladesh.
X1 vs X2 Visa: Which One Do You Need?
X1 visa: for study in China of more than 180 days, such as Bachelor's, Master's, PhD or year-long language programmes. You must convert it into a residence permit after arrival.
X2 visa: for study of 180 days or less, such as a short language course, summer programme or exchange semester. No residence permit is needed for the authorised stay.
The Beijing municipal government's guide summarises the difference: both visas need an admission notice from a Chinese institution, but only the X1 requires the JW201 or JW202 form. See the Beijing government's student visa guide.
Before You Apply: Admission Letter and JW201/JW202
You cannot apply for a China student visa until your university sends you its official documents:
Admission Notice (admission letter) from the Chinese university.
JW201 form for scholarship students, or JW202 form for self-funded students. Shandong University's admissions page, for example, explains that admitted students receive the admission notice with JW201 (scholarship) or JW202 (self-paying). See Shandong University's guidance.
For autumn intakes, many universities send original documents by courier in early to mid summer. Check that your name, date of birth and passport number on both documents match your passport exactly. Any mismatch should be corrected by the university before you apply.
China X1 Visa Requirements for Bangladeshi Students
The Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Dhaka lists these documents for the X1 (long-term study) visa. See the Dhaka centre's official X1 checklist.
Basic Documents
Original passport with at least six months' validity and blank visa pages.
Completed online visa application form, with the printed pages signed and dated.
One recent colour photo: 48mm x 33mm, white background, facing forward, bareheaded.
Proof of legal residence in Bangladesh, only if you are not a Bangladeshi citizen.
Supporting Documents
JW201 or JW202 form: original and one copy.
University admission letter: original and one copy.
Proof of funds: self-funded applicants should submit a bank statement showing at least USD 2,500 for each year of study in China. Scholarship holders submit their scholarship documents instead.
The consular officer can ask for extra documents or an interview, so keep copies of your academic certificates and any other papers your university sent.
China X2 Visa Requirements
For short-term study, you generally need your passport, application form, photo and the admission letter from the Chinese school or university. The X2 visa does not require a JW201 or JW202 form. Check the Dhaka centre's current X2 checklist before applying, as it may ask for additional supporting documents.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for a China Student Visa in Dhaka
The Dhaka visa centre's official application procedure has four main stages. See the official application procedure.
Prepare your documents: passport, photo, admission letter, JW201/JW202 and bank statement or scholarship letter.
Apply online through visaforchina.cn. Fill in the form carefully and wait for the preliminary review. Once it is approved, print the first and last pages, then sign and date them.
Submit in person and pay: when "Track My Application" shows "Passport to be submitted", bring your original passport, signed form, photo and supporting documents to the centre. Fingerprints are collected from ordinary passport holders, with some exemptions such as age.
Collect your passport using the pickup form you receive at submission.
The centre is open Sunday to Thursday and closed on Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays. Submission and payment run from 9:00 to 15:00, and collection from 9:00 to 16:00.
Fingerprints for X1 Applicants
The centre has announced a temporary fingerprint exemption for short-term visa applicants, valid until 31 December 2026. This exemption does not apply to X1 applicants, because they will later apply for a residence permit. Plan to give fingerprints in person. See the fingerprint notice.
China Student Visa Fees and Processing Time
You pay two charges at the Dhaka centre: the visa fee, collected for the Chinese Embassy, and the centre's service fee. Both are charged in Bangladeshi taka and can be paid in cash or by bank transfer. The current amounts are published on the centre's official fee page, and the centre notes that service fees may change with exchange rates.
Processing time can vary, especially before the September intake. Apply as soon as you receive your original admission documents, and do not book a non-refundable flight until your visa is issued.
Do You Need an Agent to Apply?
No. The Dhaka visa centre states that it has not authorised any agency to handle visa applications and has no official partners. Applicants can submit personally or through an IATA-accredited travel agency, but agencies get no preferential treatment or higher approval chances. Read the centre's notice on agencies.
Be careful with anyone who promises a "guaranteed" China visa. Our guide to study abroad scam red flags in Bangladesh explains what to watch for.
After Arrival: Residence Permit and Health Check
An X1 visa is only an entry visa. Holders of X1 visas must apply to the local exit-entry administration for a residence permit within 30 days of entering China, according to the Dhaka visa centre. Your university's international office usually guides new students through this.
Residence permit fee: set locally. In Shanghai, for example, the official fee is RMB 400 for a permit of up to one year and RMB 800 for one to three years. See Shanghai's official guidance.
Health check: many universities require a medical examination or verification of your physical examination form before the residence permit. Follow your university's instructions and keep the original medical form if you completed one in Bangladesh.
Accommodation registration: foreigners must register their place of stay with local police; university dormitories usually help with this.
Missing the 30-day deadline can cause fines and other problems, so treat it as your first priority after arrival.
Suggested Timeline for the 2027 Intake
6–12 months before: choose universities and apply; prepare scholarship applications if relevant.
Spring to summer: receive admission results; arrange funds and bank statement.
After receiving the original admission letter and JW form: apply online and submit at the Dhaka centre.
After visa issue: book flights, arrange accommodation and prepare documents for arrival.
Within 30 days of arrival: apply for the residence permit.
Common Mistakes That Delay China Student Visas
Applying without the original admission letter or JW form.
Name or passport number mismatches between the passport, admission letter and JW form.
Showing less than the required funds, or a bank statement that does not clearly show the balance.
Using a photo that does not meet the size or background rules.
Trusting agents who claim special access to the visa centre.
Missing the 30-day residence permit deadline after arrival.
Key Takeaways
X1 is for study longer than 180 days; X2 is for 180 days or less.
You need an admission letter, plus a JW201 or JW202 form for the X1 visa.
Self-funded X1 applicants in Dhaka should show at least USD 2,500 per year of study.
Apply online first, then submit in person at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Dhaka.
X1 holders must apply for a residence permit within 30 days of arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a China student visa from Bangladesh?
Processing times vary and are not guaranteed. Apply as soon as you receive your original admission documents, and check the Dhaka visa centre for current processing options.
How much bank balance is needed for a China student visa?
The Dhaka centre asks self-funded X1 applicants for a bank statement showing at least USD 2,500 for each year of study. Scholarship holders can submit scholarship documents instead. This is a visa minimum, not a full living budget.
What is the difference between JW201 and JW202?
Both are official study visa application forms issued with your admission letter. JW201 is for scholarship students, and JW202 is for self-funded students.
Is an interview required for a China student visa?
Not usually, but the consular officer can request an interview or extra documents in individual cases.
Can someone else submit my China visa application?
You can submit personally or through an IATA-accredited travel agency, according to the Dhaka centre. However, X1 applicants should expect to give fingerprints in person.
Can I work in China on a student visa?
International students cannot simply take off-campus jobs. Part-time work or internships generally need approval from your university and the local exit-entry authorities, so do not plan your finances around work income.
Do I need a residence permit with an X2 visa?
No. The X2 visa covers short study of 180 days or less within the period it allows. Long-term students need an X1 visa and a residence permit.
Get Help With Your China Student Visa File
Southern Trip Limited helps Bangladeshi students check admission documents, prepare the X1 visa file, organise bank statements or scholarship papers, and plan the first weeks in China. Visa decisions are made solely by the Chinese authorities, so no one can guarantee a visa, but careful preparation helps avoid avoidable delays.
Explore our Study in China services, read our 2027 scholarship guide, or contact our counselling team for help with your application.
Information checked in October 2026 from the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Dhaka and Chinese government sources. Visa requirements and fees can change; always confirm on the official website before applying.