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Apply for a Chinese S Visa for Visiting Foreign Relatives in China
The Chinese S Visa is designed for individuals who wish to visit foreign relatives residing in China due to work or study and who possess a residence permit. If your relatives are Chinese nationals, you should apply for a Q Visa instead.
The S Visa is primarily issued for visits longer than 60 days. For shorter durations, the tourist visa (L Visa) is more appropriate. To apply for an S Visa, proof of a first-degree kinship between the visitor and the host (i.e., parents, children, siblings, and their spouses) is required, demonstrated through birth and/or marriage certificates.
Overview of the Chinese S Visa:
| Purpose of Travel: | Visit foreign family members residing in China. |
| Duration of Stay: | S2 type allows stays from a minimum of 30 up to 180 days; S1 type can extend up to 2 years. |
| Number of Entries: | Single, double, or multiple (S1: initially single, convertible to multiple upon obtaining a residence permit). |
| Validity Period: | 90 days from issuance for entry into China or 6 to 12 months for multiple entries. |
Key Differences Between S1 and S2 Visas:
S2 Visa: Suitable for stays up to 180 days.
S1 Visa: Convertible into a residence permit upon arrival in China, facilitating visa-free re-entry and exit for up to three years.
Apply for a Chinese Visa NowApplication Requirements for the Chinese S Visa:
- Completed Visa Application Form: As of May 2019, applications must be submitted online.
- Biometric Passport Photo: A color photo against a light background, to be digitally uploaded to the online form. Optionally, it can also be printed on photo paper, approximately 3.5 x 4.5 cm in size.
- Passport: Must have at least six months remaining validity and at least one blank visa page (two pages for multiple entry visas).
- Proof of Kinship: Copies of birth and/or marriage certificates to demonstrate the close familial relationship with the host.
- Formal Private Invitation: From your relative in China, including complete address and contact number, the name, intended period of stay, and birthdate of the invitee, signed by the host. The invitation must also include two copies of the host’s passport identification page and a valid China visa or Residence Permit. If the host is a Chinese national, copies of both sides of their ID card are required.
If the visa is to be converted into a residence permit in China, original documents or authenticated copies approved for international use by Chinese consulates must be presented within 30 days of entry.
Private Invitation for Chinese S Visa
A private invitation is essential for applying for an S Visa. It can be issued for a single visit of up to 180 days or multiple visits of 30 or 60 days each. This flexibility is particularly useful if you plan to leave China temporarily for short visits to neighboring countries or Hong Kong and wish to re-enter. The invitation is issued and scanned in China, then emailed to the applicant. There is no need to present the original invitation during the visa application process.
We can provide a template for a formally correct private invitation upon request, available in English or Chinese via email. order a template for an invitationValidity and Terms of the Chinese S Visa
S2 Visa (Short-term)
From the date of issuance, the Type S2 Visa permits entry into China for 90 days and is valid for stays of 90 or 180 days. It is possible to apply for a one-time extension of your stay directly with the Chinese police, although this is subject to their discretion and cannot be guaranteed.
S1 Visa (Long-term)
The Type S1 Visa allows entry within 90 days of issuance for an initial period of 30 days. Applicants must apply for a residence permit at the local registration office no later than the 30th day after entry, which is then valid for at least one year and can be extended up to three years. This permit allows for multiple entries and indefinite lengths of stay within its validity period. When applying for the residence permit, authenticated copies of birth and/or marriage certificates, if applicable, must be submitted.