Hi, I'll be studying in Fudan for the Spring term. The official dates of study are Feb 12-June 5. After that, I would want to do some traveling and then sign up in a Mandarin school for an intensive course. I want to buy the tickets as soon as possible to get a low price, and I would want to book them for February 3, returning July 28, so my question is if you think that I would be able to get a visa that allows me to stay for that long

thank you

Contact the local Chinese Embassy and explain your situation and desires by fax or email. They might issue an Education visa for longer than your course(s).

However, DO NOT OVERSTAY YOUR VISA and play.

You'll be sorry.

Z.

You'll get your first visa based on the letter Fudan gives you. It should be easy to renew without leaving the country, and then when you enroll in another school, you can get another student visa. I think you will have to leave the country at least once after a year, but if you stay that long you'll be pretty adept at sorting these things out.

My local consulate is New York City, direct contact doesn't work too well. You might have better luck if you contact a visa agent.

As for buying tickets, you should probably buy an open-ended ticket, or if you are positive that you'll be going home on July 28th, then you're pretty safe to purchase it in advance.