X Visa steps?

[Sarpedon]

I got all my paperwork in the mail today, and I want to leave tomorrow morning for the consulate to get my visa sorted out.

Is it OK if I buy a one-way ticket to China? Will they ask me to show proof that I'm going to leave after my year of study?

When I go to the consulate to get my visa, do they need to see my plane ticket/reservation?

On the JW201 form, I imagine I should fill in the "Home Address" and "Home Address Telephone Number" as well as sign where it says "Signature of Applicant" since they were blank, but I don't want to screw up if I shouldn't fill those out.

The admission notice also has a place for my signature and date, should I fill it in?

The instructions were really vague and I have to drive 3 hours to the consulate so I don't want to screw up.

[m000gle]

1. Yes, a one way ticket is fine when you are entering on an X-Visa. I've verified that with my local consulate since I am leaving for two years of study this September. Occasionally, you'll get a hassle upon check-in with your airline, since they may expect return tickets despite them not being required by the country's immigration. Carrying your university acceptance letter with you, and letting them know you will remain for above a year, can help avoid this.

2. No, you don't need to show proof of an airfare to the consulate in order to pick up the visa. They almost always recommend purchasing the airfare after you have the visa approved and in hand.

3. Regarding the signatures and filling out any remaining info on your JW201 form, I'm not sure what is best but when I go next week I'm planning to simply fill/sign them at the consulate.

[Sarpedon]

Great, thanks for the help!

[Sarpedon]

For anyone looking at this in the future, I went to the Chicago consulate and this is what I went through:

Arrived around 9:45 AM. Took a number. Waited maybe an hour.

I needed the admission form, the JW201 form, the visa application form, and a passport photo along with my passport. I gave them the foreigner physical exam form but she didn't even look at it. Bring a copy of your admission letter and the JW201 as they will keep the copies and give you the original.

I paid for rush processing and as long as you get processed before 12 you can come back at 2 and get your passport back with the visa inside.

It was pretty painless aside from the waiting, but I got to eat some good Chicago eats and walk along the lakeshore, so it was nice.

[m000gle]

Do they keep the original copy of your admission letter and medical forms or return them when you pick up your visa?

I was under the impression that you need the letter when registering at the university and that you need the original medical forms to avoid having to redo a medical upon arrival.

[Sarpedon]

No, they kept the copy of the JW201 and the admission letter, I still have the originals. They didn't even take the medical exam at all.

[nubcakes]

This is confusing. The embassy in my country took the original copy of the JW201. I only have a photocopy now and the schools don't resend the JW201. Can anyone help me on this?

[roddy]

As long as you've got your visa, just turn up at whichever university you're going to and register. If they ask where your original is, say the embassy took it.

[nubcakes]

Thank you!