(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

1. Basic Documents

(1) Passport

Original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and with two blank visa pages, a photocopy of the passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate.

For the 1-year multiple entries visa application, the passport should be valid for at least 15 months from the date of application.

(2) Visa Application Form and Photo

One completed Visa Application Form with a recently-taken colour identity photo (bare-head, full face) against a light background (size: 48mm x 33mm) attached.

Fill in the Application form online and print out the completed application form once finished and sign where appropriate.

Please ensure that you have uploaded the correct photograph of the person detailed in the application form when filling in the online application. The visa centre will reject any application where the uploaded image is of another person. A new application form with an appropriate photograph will be requested if the application form contains another person's photo. If the online form indicates that the photo is not qualified and cannot be uploaded successfully, please be sure to bring an appropriate photograph to the centre when you come to submit your application.

(3) Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous visas for China (Mainland only) (applicable for those who were Chinese citizens and have obtained foreign citizenship).

- If you are applying for a visa for China (Mainland only) for the first time, you should provide the last Chinese passport held and a photocopy of its data page.

- If you have obtained visas for China (Mainland only) before and apply for a visa for China (Mainland only) with a renewed foreign passport that does not contain any visa for China (Mainland only), you should present the photocopy of the previous passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate, as well as the pages of previous visa for China (Mainland only) (If your name on the current passport differs from that on the previous one, you must provide an official document of name change).

(4) The applicant under 18 years of age should provide:
    (a) Family book or birth certificate;
    (b) Parents' statement letter which states the confirmation of the trip to China of their underaged child accompanied by one of the parents. The statement letter should be signed by both of the parents;
    (c) Original and Copy of the parents' ID. For the parents who got divorced should provide the notarized divorce letter which states the guardian of the child;

2. Supporting documents

Applicants who are going to visit their relatives residing in China and intend to stay for more than 180 days need to provide:

(1) A photocopy of the inviting party’s passport and residence permit.

(2) An invitation letter that contains:

(a) Information of the applicant (incl. full name, gender, date of birth, etc.);

(b) Information regarding the visit (incl. purpose of visit, intended arrival date, intended place(s) to stay, intended duration of stay, relationship between the applicant and the inviting party, and details of any financial support to be provided during the stay in China);

(3) Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between the applicants and the inviting parties;

(4) If travel expenses are paid by yourself, you must provide proof of financial capacity as:

- Certificate of employment or

- Latest 3 payslips or

- Latest 3 bank statements or

- The latest notice of tax

"Relatives" refers to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18, parents in law.

Accompanying family members applying together with applicants of Z-Visa or X1-Visa need to provide:

(1) A photocopy of the application documents of Z-Visa or X1-Visa.

(2) Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between applicants and inviting parties.

"Relatives" refers to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18, parents in law.

We kindly remind you that:

Holders of S1-Visa must apply for a residence permit from the immigration department of the local public security authority in the place intended to stay within 30 days of entry to China.

3. Special notes

(1) The invitation letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or computer printout, but the consular officer may require the applicant to submit the original of the invitation letter. An issuer of invitation letter who is an individual in China should also provide a photocopy of his/her Chinese ID.

(2) If necessary, the consular officer may require the applicant to provide other proof documents or supplementary materials, or require an interview with the applicant.

(3) The consular officer will decide on whether or not to issue the visa and on its validity, duration of stay and number of entries in light of specific conditions of the applicant.