(S2) Family member of foreigner(s) staying or residing in China or person who needs to come to China for personal matters (no more than 180 days)
1. Basic Documents
(1) Passport
(2) Visa Application Form and Photo
Form: Applicants are required to fill in an online application form. Please go to homepage, click APPLICATION FORM to start. Please read the Guidance for Submitting Online Application before starting the online application.
Photo: Applicants should upload a recently-taken color passport photo (bare-head, full face with ears, no jewelry) against a white background. Please see here and disini for the photo requirements.
Please bring 1 physical photo (exactly the same with the uploaded photo) as well to our center.
(3) Proof of legal status (applicable for those not applying for the visa in their country of citizenship)
If you are not applying for a visa in the country of your citizenship, you must provide the original and photocopy of your valid certificates of residence, employment or student status, or other valid certificates of legal stay provided by the relevant authorities of the country where the Visa Center is located.
(4) Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas (applicable for those who were Chinese citizens and have obtained foreign citizenship).
If you are applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, you should provide the last Chinese passport held and a photocopy of its data page.
If you have obtained Chinese visas before and apply for a Chinese visa with a renewed foreign passport that does not contain any Chinese visa, you should present the photocopy of the previous passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate, as well as the previous Chinese visa page (If your name on the current passport differs from that on the previous one, you must provide an official document of name change).
(5) For minor applicants under 18 years old, the following supplementary documents are required:
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Unabridged birth certificate of the applicant (if applicable) ;
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Parents' passports or ID cards (if applicable) ;
For first-time visa applications, applicants must also submit photocopies of documents proving the identity status of both parents at the time of the child's birth, including photocopies of the passports, visas, permanent residence permits, or other identity documents held at that time (if applicable).
2. Documents Regarding Your Visa Type
- For visiting family members for up to 180 days, the following documents are required:
(1) A photocopy of the passport and residence permit of the inviting party.
(The inviting party refers to a foreign citizen who is staying or residing in China for reasons such as work or study.)
(2) An invitation letter issued by the inviting party.
The invitation letter should contain:
- Information of the invitee, including full name, gender, date of birth, etc.;
- Information regarding the intended visit, including the purpose of visit, intended dates of arrival and departure, places to be visited, relationship between the applicant and the inviting party, and source of financial support;
- Information of the inviting party, including name, contact telephone number, address, and signature of the inviting individual.
(3) A photocopy of proof of family relationship between the applicant and the inviting party, such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate, certificate of kinship issued by a local public security authority, or notarized certificate of kinship.
"Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.
- For other personal affairs, documentation identifying their nature should be provided, please consult our center for more information.
3. Special Notice
*Please note:
(1) The invitation letter can be faxed, copied or printed. Consular officers may request an applicant to provide the original of the invitation letter. The invitation letters from Chinese individuals should present the photocopy of the ID (applicable to those who apply for F, M, L, Q1, Q2, S1 and S2 visa).
(2) Consular officers may request an applicant to provide additional supporting documents or conduct an interview when deemed necessary.
(3) Whether a visa is to be issued or not, as well as the period of its validity, number of entries and duration of stay will be decided by consular officers according to the applicant’s actual situation.