How much does a China student visa cost?
Unofficial answer · Sources checked
The fee depends on your nationality, the embassy or consulate that handles your application, and the number of entries you request. It does not depend on whether you hold a student visa (X1 or X2). The fee tables on the U.S., Bangladesh and Kenya pages have no X1 or X2 line, and the Pakistan fee text is also organised by passport and entries.
What each embassy page prints
United States. The embassy's notice, dated 29 December 2025, says it will continue to reduce visa fees until 31 December 2026. Its "Regular Visa Service Fees" table is in US dollars and is organised by number of entries and by citizenship:
| Number of entries | U.S. citizen | Non-U.S. citizen |
|---|---|---|
| Single entry | $140 | $23 |
| Double entries | (no figure printed) | $34 |
| Multiple entries, 6 months | (no figure printed) | $45 |
| Multiple entries, 12 months or more | (no figure printed) | $68 |
The table also shows $171 on a J1/J2 row; this summary does not assign that figure to either citizenship column. Note 1 says fees for certain non-U.S. citizens differ from the table and asks applicants to check with the Visa Office. Note 2 adds $25 per visa for express service.
Bangladesh. The embassy's notice, dated 7 January 2026, says reduced fees apply until 31 December 2026. The fee table is in Bangladesh Taka and is organised by passport and number of entries, with three delivery speeds. The rows below are for the Bangladesh passport:
| Type | Regular delivery (4th working day) | Express delivery (3rd working day) | Urgent delivery (2nd working day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single entry | 2400 | 5100 | 6400 |
| Double entry | 3600 | 6300 | 7600 |
| 6 months multiple | 4800 | 7500 | 8800 |
| 12/24 months multiple | 7200 | 9900 | 11200 |
Pakistan. The embassy's page, dated 28 April 2025, prints fees in Pakistani rupees (PKR). Under item I(I) of the Chinese visa section, holders of diplomatic and official passports from every country except the United States, and holders of ordinary Pakistani passports, are exempt from all types of visa fees. Under item I(II), the page prints:
- US passport holders: 39400 PKR; US journalist visa: 46700 PKR
- Canadian passport holders: 15200 PKR
- Third-country passport holders: single entry 7200 PKR; double entry 10800 PKR; six-month multiple entry 14400 PKR; one year or more, multiple entry 21600 PKR
- Holders of passports of other special countries: the page says fees are subject to actual practice
Kenya. The fee table is in Kenyan shillings (KSH) and is headed "2023.12.11-". It is organised by number of entries and nationality:
| Category | Kenya nationals (KSH) | Any other third country (KSH) |
|---|---|---|
| Single entry, valid 3 months | 3000 | 2300 |
| Double entry, valid 6 months | 4500 | 3400 |
| Multi-entry, valid 6 months | 6000 | 4500 |
| Multi-entry, valid 12 months | 9000 | 6800 |
| Group L visa | 2400 | 1800 |
The attention line says that, if not listed separately, the Express 1 and Express 2 fees are 3700 and 2500 KSH. It also says applications must be forwarded to the Visa Application Service Center, and fees are paid at the Visa Center.
United Kingdom. The notice says the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the UK will continue to reduce visa fees until 31 December 2026. This summary states no UK fee amount. Check the amounts on the embassy's page directly.
India. The notice says the reduction is extended until 31 December 2026. It sets separate fee tiers for passport holders of the United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Israel, Panama, Romania, Serbia and Uruguay, and for passport holders of other countries. This summary states no amount for either tier. The notice also says the express and urgent fees are not adjusted in this extension and are still charged at Rs1800 and Rs2700 per application.
Who sets the figure
Each figure above is printed by the embassy or consulate whose page carries it. It is that mission's own statement, so do not read it as the fee at another country's mission.
The reductions in the U.S., UK, Bangladesh and India notices all end on 31 December 2026, as those notices print. Fees on the Pakistan and Kenya pages are shown as printed on those pages, and their dates are given above.
Where to check the rest
Before you pay, check the current fee table on the embassy page for your nationality and the number of entries you need. If the page does not match your case, ask the embassy or consulate that handles your application, or the visa centre it names.
Related questions
Until when do the reduced fees apply?
The U.S., UK, Bangladesh and India notices each state that the reduced fees run until 31 December 2026. The U.S. notice is dated 29 December 2025 and uses the same end date.
Is there an extra charge for express service?
Yes, but the amount depends on the mission. The U.S. page adds $25 per visa for express service. The Bangladesh table gives express and urgent columns in taka. The India notice keeps the express and urgent fees at Rs1800 and Rs2700 per application.
Are some travellers exempt from the Pakistan visa fee?
Yes. Under item I(I) of the Chinese visa section, holders of diplomatic and official passports from every country except the United States, and holders of ordinary Pakistani passports, are exempt from all types of visa fees.
What is the Kenya express fee if the table does not list one?
The attention line gives 3700 KSH for Express 1 and 2500 KSH for Express 2, applying where the table does not list the fee separately.
Sources
- Notice on Extension of Visa-Fee Reduction (page dated 29 December 2025), Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States of America
- Notice on the extension of the visa fee reduction, Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United Kingdom
- Notice on Extension of Visa-Fee Reduction (7 January 2026), Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the People's Republic of Bangladesh
- Visa Processing Time and Fee (28 April 2025), Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
- Visa fees, Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Kenya
- Notice on Extension of Visa-Fee Reduction, Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of India
Checked 10 October 2026
This page is an unofficial summary, is not legal or immigration advice, is not published by or affiliated with the embassies, consulates or other bodies named, and if the official text differs from this summary, the official text and the instructions of the university, embassy or exit-entry office handling your case prevail.