China family visa: S and Q visas for joining family
Which China family visa you need depends on who you're joining. Joining a Chinese citizen — or a foreigner with Chinese permanent residence, for example because you married a Chinese national — is a Q visa. Joining a foreigner who works or studies in China is an S visa. The “1” versions (S1, Q1) are for stays over 180 days and lead to a residence permit; the “2” versions (S2, Q2) are for short visits. As of June 2026.
Compiled from official sources by Henry · independent · based in China
Common mistake → the current rule
What many sites still say: Many sites tell anyone joining family in China to get an “S visa,” and lump all family visas together.
The current rule: It depends who you're joining. Joining a Chinese citizen or a foreigner with Chinese permanent residence (e.g. you married a Chinese national) is a Q visa; joining a foreigner who works or studies in China is an S visa. They also lead to different residence permits — a Q1 holder applies for a family-reunion permit, an S1 holder for a private-affairs permit.
Source: us.china-embassy.gov.cn · verified June 27, 2026
How to get a China family visa, step by step
A plain-English walkthrough of the official general process for the S and Q (family) visas. This is information, not legal advice — we don't apply, collect documents, or handle anything for you.
Work out whether you need an S or a Q visa
Start from who you're joining. Joining a Chinese citizen, or a foreigner who holds Chinese permanent residence, is a Q visa — Q1 for an intended stay over 180 days, Q2 for a short visit. Joining a foreigner who works or studies in China is an S visa — S1 for over 180 days, S2 for a short visit.
Source: us.china-embassy.gov.cn
Get the invitation letter and your relationship documents
The family member in China writes an invitation letter. For a Q visa, include a copy of their Chinese ID card (or, for a permanent-resident holder, their passport and permanent-residence card); for an S visa, include a copy of their passport and China residence permit. You also need the original certificate proving the relationship — a marriage certificate for a spouse, a birth certificate for a child.
Source: us.china-embassy.gov.cn · nia.gov.cn
Apply for the visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate
Apply at the Chinese embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over where you live, with your passport (valid 6+ months, with at least two blank visa pages), the completed online visa application (COVA) form and a photo, plus the invitation letter and relationship documents.
- Time:
- Regular processing is about 4 business days from submission at the US embassy; times vary by mission. As of June 2026.
Source: us.china-embassy.gov.cn
Enter China, then apply for your residence permit within 30 days (S1 / Q1)
S1 and Q1 are long-stay visas: within 30 days of entry you apply for a residence permit at the local public security exit-entry administration. The type differs by who you joined — a Q1 holder gets a family-reunion (团聚类) residence permit, an S1 holder gets a private-affairs (私人事务类) residence permit. S2 and Q2 are short-stay visas and don't lead to a residence permit.
- Time:
- Within 30 days of entry. A family-reunion permit commonly runs up to 2 years (up to 3 for under-18s or over-60s); a private-affairs permit matches the residence period of the family member you joined. As of June 2026.
Source: nia.gov.cn · nia.gov.cn
Provide a health certificate if your residence permit is valid one year or more
Since October 1, 2025 (State Council Decree 814), a foreigner applying for a residence permit valid one year or more must submit a health certificate confirming they are free of serious mental disorder, infectious tuberculosis and other communicable diseases that could pose a major public-health risk. It is valid for six months from issuance, so time it close to your application.
- Time:
- Health certificate valid 6 months from issuance. As of June 2026.
Source: mps.gov.cn · nia.gov.cn
Documents you'll need to authenticate
China requires the foreign certificate proving your relationship — a marriage certificate for a spouse, a birth certificate for a child — to be authenticated. Since November 7, 2023 that means a US apostille, not consular legalization — here's the process for each.
Before you fly
Visa and permit sorted? Line up the rest of the runway — the things you'll want working the moment you land in China, no VPN.
- Joining someone who works in China? How the Z work visa and work permit work.
- Not sure which visa fits? Check China's visa categories.
- Get an eSIM that works in China before departure — pick one in 30 seconds.
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay — most places don't take foreign cards directly. Get them working before you land.
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Frequently asked questions
What visa do I need to join my spouse in China?
It depends on your spouse's status. If your spouse is a Chinese citizen (or a foreigner with Chinese permanent residence), it's a Q visa — Q1 for a stay over 180 days, Q2 for a short visit. If your spouse is a foreigner working or studying in China, it's an S visa (S1 or S2). As of June 2026 — confirm with the official sources and the Chinese embassy.
What is the difference between an S visa and a Q visa for China?
Who you're joining. A Q visa is for family of a Chinese citizen or a foreigner with Chinese permanent residence. An S visa is for family of a foreigner who works or studies in China. They also lead to different residence permits: Q1 to a family-reunion permit, S1 to a private-affairs permit.
I married a Chinese citizen — which visa do I need?
A Q visa — Q1 if you'll stay over 180 days, Q2 for a short visit — because you're joining a Chinese citizen. Not an S visa; the S visa is for joining a foreigner who works or studies in China. You'll typically need your marriage certificate, authenticated and translated into Chinese.
Do I need to apostille my marriage or birth certificate for a China family visa?
Usually, yes. China requires the foreign certificate proving your relationship to be authenticated, and since November 7, 2023 that means a US apostille — not consular legalization — plus a certified Chinese translation. Confirm the exact requirement with the receiving party before you order one.
How long can I stay in China on a family visa?
S2 and Q2 are for short visits. With S1 or Q1 you apply for a residence permit within 30 days of entry: a Q1 family-reunion permit commonly runs up to 2 years (up to 3 for under-18s or over-60s), and an S1 private-affairs permit matches the residence period of the family member you joined. As of June 2026.
Do I need a health check for a China family residence permit?
Since October 1, 2025, a residence permit valid one year or more requires a health certificate confirming you are free of serious mental disorder, infectious tuberculosis and other major communicable diseases. It is valid for six months from issuance. Confirm the exact requirement with the exit-entry administration handling your permit.
Where is this information from?
This page was verified on June 27, 2026 against official sources: the Chinese Embassy in the US visa requirements, the National Immigration Administration's Foreigner Residence Permit service guide, the Exit and Entry Administration Law, and State Council Decree 814. Links are in the sources section.
Official sources
Every policy on this page was checked against these official pages. Always confirm with the source before booking.
Disclaimer: This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Visa, permit and residence rules are a legal procedure and change without notice — always confirm the current process and your own situation with the official sources above, the Chinese embassy or consulate, your employer or sponsor in China, and the local exit-entry administration before you act. Ready Set China is an independent information site — not a law firm, visa agency, or government body — and does not apply for visas or permits, or handle documents on your behalf.