China family visit visa (Q2 and S2)

For both Q2 and S2, family members are the spouse, parents, children, children's spouses, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren and parents-in-law of the person in China. S2 also covers people who must go to China for private matters: treatment at a hospital, inheritance, litigation or property matters.

The relative in China writes an invitation letter with your personal data, the purpose, planned dates and place of stay, the relationship and who pays, plus their name, phone, address and signature. Add a copy of the host's Chinese ID card, or for a foreign host a copy of their passport and Chinese residence or permanent residence permit, and proof of the relationship such as a marriage or birth certificate or a notarised kinship certificate. For private matters, submit the hospital admission letter, death certificate and kinship proof, court summons or property deed.

Hotels register foreign guests automatically. If you stay in a private home, you or your host must register your accommodation with the local police station within 24 hours of arrival. Visas marked for a residence permit (Q1, S1, X1, Z, D and similar) require an application for a residence permit at the exit-entry administration of the local public security bureau within 30 days of entry; the authority decides within 15 days.

For visas with a stay of up to 180 days, an extension can be requested at the local exit-entry administration at least seven days before the permitted stay ends. The total extension cannot exceed the original duration of stay shown on the visa; if refused, you must leave when your stay expires.