X2 visa length question

[Guest]

I'll be studying mandarin at BLCU starting mid September and finishing around January 10.

I want to buy the plane tickets before prices will skyrocket, can I enter China at the end of August, 2-3 weeks before the classes starts (total stay will be way less than 180 days, maybe 150) or the X2 visa could be for less than 180 days? Or maybe from September to January only?

Thank you

[onebir]

Based on the recent X2 visas findable via Google images, it's unclear:

 

A)

 

B)

 

C)

 

With A you'd be fine. B only gives 110 days, but a second entry so with a trip out of China you'd be ok. C seems to be tailored to the dates of the course (with one entry, what use is the 90 day proviso?)

 

So I think you need to contact the school and check. Perhaps they can put an earlier registration date in your acceptance letter? Or - a bit riskier - if you turn up to the consulate with a ticket booked, they'll issue an X2 consistent with that and your course end date?

[Guest]

They can't write a different date. Yes, I think I can risk it or pay the fee to reschedule the flight.

 

I'll update the thread when I get my Visa. Thank you for the reply!