(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
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
For visiting family members for up to 180 days, the following documents are required:
(1) A photocopy of the inviting party’s passport and residence permit.
(2) An invitation letter. It should contain:
(a) Information of the applicant (incl. full name, gender, date of birth, etc.);
(b) Information regarding the visit (incl. purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relationship between the applicant and the inviting party, and details of any financial support to be provided during the stay in China);
(c) Information of the inviting parties (incl. name, contact telephone number, address, signature of individual).
(3) 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.
(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
"Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.
For private affairs:
Documentation identifying their nature should be provided
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.