(S1) Family member of foreigner(s) staying or residing in China or person who needs to come to China for personal matters (more than 180 days)

2026-08-26 · Long term staying

I. Basic Application Documents

(1) Passport: The original passport (including a temporary passport) recognized by the People's Republic of China, valid for at least six months with at least one blank visa page, and one photocopy of the passport's personal information page. (If you hold dual or multiple nationalities, you must provide the original and a photocopy of the personal information page of all valid passports.)

(2) Visa Application Form and Photograph:
Register an account on the Chinese Visa Application Service Center website, complete the application form online, upload the required documents, and, after approval, download and print the visa application form and the application confirmation.

One recent passport photograph is required. The photograph must be a recent, front-facing, color photo with a white background, without a hat, in a standard small 2-inch passport photo size (48 mm × 33 mm). Please refer to the relevant guidelines for detailed photo specifications.

(3) Proof of Legal Stay or Residence (applicable to applicants applying outside their country of nationality).

(4) Former Chinese Passport or Previously Issued Chinese Visa (applicable to former Chinese nationals who have acquired foreign nationality):

· If you previously held Chinese nationality, later acquired foreign nationality, and are applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, you must provide the original Chinese passport and a photocopy of its personal information page.

· If you have previously been issued a Chinese visa and are applying with a newly issued foreign passport, you must provide a photocopy of the personal information page of your previous foreign passport and a photocopy of the previously issued Chinese visa.

· If the name in your new passport differs from that in your previous passport, you must also provide an official document certifying the name change.

2.Supporting Documents:

(1) An invitation letter from the inviter (the foreigner residing in China);

(2) A photocopy of the inviter’s passport and residence permit;

(3) The original and a photocopy of the certification (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate) showing kinship between the applicant and the inviter.

"Immediate family members " refers to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18, parents-in-law.

For private affairs, documentation identifying the nature of the private affairs should be provided as required by the consular officer.

We kindly remind you that:
Holders of S1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.

Note:

If necessary, consular officers may, depending on the circumstances, require applicants to submit additional supporting documents or supplementary materials, or request the applicant to attend an interview.