How to apply for X1 VISA from Nepal

A photograph of X1 VISA (source: commons.wikimedia.org) 

In the last blog, I have instructed about application procedure for Chinese Government Scholarship - China University Programme (CGS-CUP). After you have been accepted as CGS-CUP scholarship student at the designated university, you will get a form of 'Visa Application for Study in China' and a copy of an 'Admission Notice' sent by your prospective university after the approval by China Scholarship Council (CSC). Now, the best opportunity to travel abroad with the aim to get a higher education degree and to make a way further for your career is in your hand. When you receive these two documents you need to go to Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal (Shortly, Chinese Embassy in Nepal) to apply for a study visa. In this post, I am going to write briefly about the types of study visa for China and application process.  

Study visa in China

The study visa for studying in China is named X VISA. The X VISA falls into two categories X1 and X2. The X1 VISA is for those who wish to study more than 180 days. So, it is long-term-convertible visa which must be converted into a residence permit within 30 days after entering China. However, the X2 VISA is short-term, non-convertible visa for students who study only up to 180 days. So, it is obvious that students who get CGS-CUP scholarship for master's or doctoral degree must apply for X1 VISA at their local Chinese embassy or the consular office or any other relevant Chinese diplomatic offices. In Nepal, you, CGS-CUP scholarship awardee must go to Chinese Embassy in Nepal, the office of the Consular section, Hattisar, Kathmandu to apply for X1 VISA.

What are the materials Required for X1 VISA Application?

Here is the list of materials required for the X1 VISA application process at the consular office of the Chinese Embassy in Nepal:

1. one original and one photocopy of your passport (passport must be valid for at least six months and must have blank pages);
2. one original and one photocopy of the 'Visa Application Form for Studying in China'; 
3. one original and one photocopy of the Admission Notice issued by your prospective college or University in China;
4. one 48mm X 33 mm photographs (Passport photographs).

Where and when to go to apply for X1 VISA?
You need to go to the Embassy of China, the Office of the Consular Section, Hattisar Sadak 615, Kathmandu 44600 at 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM on Monday to Friday. 

What after Arriving at the Consular Office?

There you need a brief security check at an entrance gate of the Consular Office. After a brief checking, security personnel will ask you a kind of visa application form whether it is for mainland China or Hongkong or Macao. Then, you need to do go through following steps:

1. Just take a form for mainland China. 
2. Then, take a token of queue management system for submitting your filled form.  
3. After filling up the visa application form, wait for your number on a screen of the queue management system. 
4. Then, submit your relevant documents at your turn. Staffs there who are speaking Nepali, also fluent in English and Chinese, then, receive your document and provide you visa-pick-up-ticket. They will tell you to come on the fourth working day of your application day to bring X1 VISA.

What to do On a visa-pick-up-date?
On a visa-pick-up-date, you must do the following tasks:  

1. Go to the same office on the fourth working day of your application date with visa-pick-up-ticket and at least NRs. 2350 in your pocket besides bus or taxi fare or any other fare. 
2. Submit your pick-up-ticket to the relevant section. They will provide a cash deposit form for Chinese VISA fee.
3. Deposit NRs. 2350 (NRs. 2200 for VISA fee and NRs. 150 for bank service charge).
4. After submitting bank deposit slip, collect your Chinese X1 VISA from the Collection and Legalisation Section.