Short-term private visit visa (S2 Visa)

Issued to those who intend to visit their family members who are foreigners working or studying in China, or to those who intend to go to China for other private matters. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days.

"Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.

Application:

Basic documents

(1) Passport
Original passport with at least six months remaining validity and blank visa pages, and a photocopy of the passport's data page, and the photo page if it is separate.

(2) Visa Application Form and photo
One completed Visa Application Form with a recently-taken color passport photo (bare-head, full face) against a white background attached (Photo Requirements for Chinese Visa Application)

(3) Proof of legal stay or residence status (applicable to those not applying for the visa in their country of citizenship)
If you are not applying for the visa in your country of citizenship, you must provide the original and photocopy of your valid visa or certificate of stay, residence, employment or student status of the country where you are currently residing.

(4) Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas (applicable to those who were Chinese citizens and have obtained foreign citizenship. If you are applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, you should provide your previous Chinese passport and a photocopy of its data page).

If you have obtained Chinese visas before and want to apply for a Chinese visa with a renewed foreign passport that does not contain any Chinese visa, you should present the photocopy of the previous passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate, as well as the previous Chinese visa page. (If your name on the current passport differs from that on the previous one, you must provide an official document of name change.)

2. Supporting documents
To visit family members for a short period, the following documents are required:

(1) An invitation letter issued by the relative (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or study) which contains:

a) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)

b) 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, etc.)

c) Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, signature, etc.)

(2) A photocopy of the inviting individual's (a foreigner who stays or lives in China for work or studies) passport and residence permit

(3) Photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between the applicant and the inviting individual.

"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 the nature of the private affairs should be provided as required by the consular officer.

3.Application procedure, processing time and fees

Please visit Chinese Embassy/ Consulate General's websites for more details based on your State of residence.

4.Notes

(1) Each item of the application form must be filled truthfully, clearly and completely. Any false information, missed items or illegible handwriting may lead to delay of the application processing or even refusal of the visa application.

(2) According to Chinese laws and regulations, visa officers make decisions on the validity period, number of entries, and the duration of each stay of a visa.

(3) To further facilitate visa applicants, from Sept 2, 2024 to Dec 31, 2025, all applicants applying for single- or double-entry short-term visas (stay in China for no more than 180 days) from Chinese visa-issuing authorities abroad will be exempted from fingerprint collection. 

(4) Authoritative interpretation remains with the Embassy should there be any change to the information above.

Extension:

The S2 Visa holder shall submit the letter, foreigner residence permit and certification illustrating relationships of the family members issued by the individual being visited. Other persons shall be required to submit the relevant certification documents showing humanitarian reasons. The duration of stay for an applicant who visits a relative in China can be extended for 180 days at most. The duration of stay for other persons can be extended for 90 days at most.

Change:

To apply for a change of the S2 Visa, the applicant who visits a relative in China shall submit the letter, foreigner residence permit and certification illustrating relationships of the family members issued by the individual being visited. A visa of zero, single, double, or multiple entries, valid for no more than five years and with a maximum stay of 180 days per entry, may be changed. Other applicants shall be required to submit the relevant certification documents showing humanitarian reasons. A visa of zero or single entry valid for three months at most and the duration of stay for 180 days at most may be changed.