1. In order to come to study in China, what kind of visa should an international student apply for?
    International students who wish to study in Shanghai should apply for X1-Student-Visa to come to Shanghai if their study duration is longer than 6 months or X2-Student-Visa  if their study duration is less than 6 months. Other types of visa except X1-Visa and X2-Visa can not be transferred to Student-Visa and are not permitted to study in Shanghai Normal University.

 2. How to apply for the visa in the international student's home country?
    The Acceptance Letter and Visa Application Form (JW202 form) will be prepared and posted to the applicant 3 to 4 weeks after receiving the applicant's Application Form and the application fee. 
    The Acceptance Letter , Visa Application Form (JW 202 Form) , Health Certificate (issued by the registered hospital in the student's home country ), passport, photos, etc.  are required to apply for X1 Student Visa or X2 Student Visa in China Embassy or China Consulate in the student's home country. 

3. Residence Permit (for Study)
    Residence Permit (for study) is a legal residence certificate issued by the Ministry of Public Security of China to a foreign individual to study in China. It has multiple entries to China while it is valid. X1-Visa must be changed to a Residence Permit (for study) within 30 days from the first day of entering China. 
    X2-Visa is a short-term study visa with a valid duration of 30 to 180 days and can include single, double, or multiple entries. If the valid duration of  X2-Visa doesn't cover the student's planned study period, he should change it to a Residence Permit (for study) with the assistance of Shanghai Normal University. 
    With X2-Visa, students can apply for one more re-entry to China with the help of Shanghai Normal University.  It takes at least 2 weeks to get the re-entry visa after application.

4. How long is Residence Permit (for study) or X2-visa valid? How much are the processing fees?
     Validity of the Residence Permit (for study) depends on how much the student pays the tuition fee. If the student pays the tuition fee for one semester, then his Residence Permit will be valid for one semester. If the student pays the tuition fee for two semesters, then his Residence Permit will be valid for two semesters. 
    Generally speaking, at the end of the semester, Shanghai Normal University will help the student to extend the Residence Permit after the student pays the tuition fee for next semester. 
    Fees for transaction of Residence Permit (for study) are:  
    RMB400 (within 6 months' validity), RMB800 (1- 3 years' validity), RMB1000 (3-5 years' validity). 
    Fee for the transaction of one more entry of X2-Visa differs by the number of entries required and the student's home country. Usually the charge for each more entry of F-Visa is RMB 168.

5. What documents should be submitted when applying for Residence Permit (for study) ?
　  (1)  passport with at least 6 months validity left before expiration and at least one blank page left in it
　  (2)  one photo (passport size)
　  (3)  a copy of the Registration Form of Temporary Residence (student who lives off campus should apply for it in the local police station near his lodging.)
　  (4)  Health Certificate
　  (5)  JW202 Form
　  (6)  Acceptance Letter
　  (7)  Application Form for Visa and Residence Permit 
　  (8)  School Letter (provided by Shanghai Normal University after full tuition payment).

6. How to get a Health Certificate?
    Shanghai Normal University can arrange for students to do a Health Examination or Verification only one time after the registration in each semester. Students should make an appointment with the registered hospital and do it by themselves at other time. Health Certificates are usually issued 4 work-days after the examination. Those who have got the Health Certificate in their home countries must go to the registered hospital and do the verification after entering China. The registered hospital is Shanghai International Travel Healthcare Center (15 Jinbang Road, Shanghai. Students themselves have to make an appointment with the hospital before going to the hospital for the medical check-up or verification of their result. Telephone number for making and appointment is: 6268-8851.  Website for making an appointment:  http://www.sithc.com). Required documents that should be submitted to the hospital are: passport, copy of passport, copy of Acceptance Letter (or Student's ID Card), four photos (3cm*4cm), original papers of blood-test and Health Certificate obtained abroad (for verification). Fee for Health Examination is about RMB 600.

7. How can the students who live off campus get the Registration Form of Temporary Residence?
    Those who live outside campus should go to the International Students Center of Shanghai Normal University to fill out the Registration Form for Students Living Outside Campus first, then take it to the local police station which is in charge of the area of residence with their passport and rental contract within 72 hours after moving in.

8. What should I do if there is a change in my passport number, purpose of residence, residence address or my school? 
    Go to the International Students Center of Shanghai Normal University within a week to get the related documents, then go to the visa center or visa office to process it. A new Registration Form of Temporary Residence is needed to change your addresses.

9. What should I do if I lose or break my passport?
    Go to the International Students Center of Shanghai Normal University immediately to get the related documents, then go to the visa center or visa office to process it. After receiving a new passport from the respective embassy or consulate, prepare all the documents needed to apply for a new Residence Permit or F-Visa.

10. What should I do to cancel my Residence Permit (for study) or X2-Visa?
    When international students finish their studies, they should leave China before the expiry date of their Residence Permit (study) or X2-Visa. If a student is dismissed or drops out from Shanghai Normal University, he should get the related documents from the International Students Center of Shanghai Normal University and go to the visa center to cancel his Residence Permit. If the student doesn't go to the visa center to cancel his Residence Permit, Shanghai Normal University will send his name to the visa center and then his residence in China will be illegal.