How can foreigners apply for a China dependent visa？

If you require a long-time company with your family members in China, what you need to do is applying for a dependent visa. Though process of application might be complicated, our article will give you a detailed and accurate instruction.

Chinese dependent visas mainly include Q visa and S visa.

The Q visa issued to those who intend to visit their relatives who are Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with permanent residence in China.

The S visa issued to those who intend to go to China to visit the foreigners working or studying in China or to those who intend to go to China for other private affairs.

The following are detailed introduction of them.

 

Q1 Visa

The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.

Issued to those who are family members of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and intend to go to China for family reunion, or to those who intend to go to China for the purpose of foster care.

 

Materials:

Basic documents:

1. Original valid passport and visa.
2. Visa Application Form and photo
3. Health certificate issued by the Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Department.

 

For family reunion, the following documents are required:

(1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China. The invitation letter should contain:

• Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
• Information on the visit ( purpose of visit, intended arrival date, place(s) of intended residence, intended duration of residence, arrival and departure dates, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures)
• Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of legal representative or the inviting individual, etc.)

(2) Photocopy of Chinese ID of the inviting individual or foreign passport and permanent residence permit.

(3) Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between applicant and inviting individual.

 

For foster care, the following documents are required:

(1) Foster entrustment notarization issued by Chinese Embassies/Consulates General in foreign countries or Foster Care Power of Attorney notarized and authenticated in the country of residence or in China

(2) Original and photocopy of the consignor’s passport(s), as well as the original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) notarized and authenticated certification showing the relationship between parents or guardians and children.

(3) A letter of consent on foster care issued by the trustee living in China who has agreed to provide foster care services and a photocopy of the ID of the trustee.

(4) A photocopy of the certificate indicating the permanent residence status abroad of the parent(s) when the child was born, provided that either or both parents of the child are Chinese citizens.

 

Notice:

1. “Family members” refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.
2. If the proof of kinship was issued by an overseas institution, then it must be certified by Chinese embassy.
3. If you are applying for the first time, then you must apply in person. If your original residence permit is renewed within 3 months after expiration, you will be exempt from health certificates.
4. Holders of Q1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people’s governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners’ residence permits.

 

Q2 Visa

The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days.

Issued to those who intend to visit their relatives who are Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with permanent residence in China.

 

Materials:

An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China. The invitation letter should contain:

1. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
2. Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures)
3. Information on the inviting individual (name, contact number, address, signature etc.)
4. Photocopy of Chinese ID or foreign passport and permanent residence permit of the inviting individual

• To visit the residents of this city, you must provide the original and household ID of the resident residence certificate and the resident ID card of the visited person.
• To visit residents of other provinces, the original ID and copy of the resident ID card and valid Shanghai residence permit must be provided.
• To visit overseas Chinese living in this city, you must provide the entry and exit documents of the visited person, the Foreign Residence Certificate, the city real estate certificate (or the city’s rental contract for more than 6 months) and the matching original and copy registration form for the temporary accommodation.
• To visit Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents, you must provide Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan resident residence permit; or entry and exit documents and the city’s real estate license (or the rental contract which more than 6 months) and temporary accommodation for foreigners original and copy of the registration form.
• To visit a resident foreigner, you must provide the original and copy of the passport of the visitee, the Foreigner Permanent Resident Identity Card, and the City Real Estate Certificate (or the city’s rental contract for more than 3 months).

 

Notice:

1. Relatives here include: spouses, parents(or parents in law), children, spouses of children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren.
2. If the proof of kinship was  issued by an overseas institution, then it must be certified by Chinese embassy (valid within 6 months).

 

S1 Visa

The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.

Issued to those who intend to go to China to visit the foreigners working or studying in China to whom they are spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 or parents-in-law, or to those who intend to go to China for other private affairs.

 

Materials:

1. Original valid passport and visa.
2. Original and copy of Temporary Residence Registration Form.
3. Foreigner Visa Document Application Form and a 2-inch photo.
4. Health certificate issued by the Entry-Exit  Inspection and Quarantine Department.
5. Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of immediate family members between applicants and inviting individual.
6. Original and copy of passport and residence permit of the visitee.
7. Letter of attestation issued by the visitee (requires the relative relationship with the visitor and the name of the full work unit or school name of the visitee).
8. Certificate materials consistent with the reasons for the application shall also be submitted.

 

If you are foreigner entering because of other private things:

1. Submit relevant documents for private affairs
2. Application letter

 

Notice:

1. Relatives here means: spouses, parents(or parents in law), children（under the age of 18）.
2. If the proof of kinship was  issued by an overseas institution, then it must be certified by Chinese Embassy.
3. If you are applying for the first time, then you must apply in person. If your original residence permit is renewed within 3 months after expiration, you will be exempt from health certificates.

 

S2 Visa

The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days.

Foreigners who meet one of the following conditions can apply for S2 visa:

1. Short-term visit to family members who are foreigners holding residence permits in this city.
2. Foreign students studying in overseas universities and invited by Shanghai enterprises and institutions to come to the internship.
3. Foreigners entering because of other private things.

 

Materials:

1. Original passport and visa.
2. Original Temporary Residence Registration Form.
3. Foreigner Visa Document Application Form and a 2-inch photos.
4. Certificate materials consistent with the reasons for the application shall also be submitted.

 

If you are visiting a foreigner holding residence permit in this city, he or she should provide:

1. Original and copy of passport and residence permit of the visitee.
2. Original and copy of family membership certificate.
3. Letter of attestation issued by the visitee (requires the relative relationship with the visitor and the name of the full work unit or school name of the visitee).

 

If you are student studying in overseas universities and invited by Shanghai enterprises and institutions to come to the internship:

1. Submit the school’s certificate of enrollment.
2. Submit the internship certificate and internship arrangement plan issued by the inviting unit.
3. Submit the business license of the reception unit or the relevant registration certificate.

 

If you are foreigners entering because of other private things:

1. Submit relevant documents for private affairs.
2. Application letter.

 

Notice:

1. “Family members” refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.
2. If the family relationship certificate is issued overseas, it must be certified by the Chinese Embassy in China.