S Visas For Spouse And Family Members Of Foreigners Working Or Studying In China

Source: Global Times

S Visas are issued to those who intend to go to China to visit foreign relatives (spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18, or parents-in-law) who are working or studying in China, or who intend to go to China for other private affairs. There are two kinds, depending on how long the person intends to stay in China.

If the person on the mainland is actually a Chinese citizen or a foreigner with a permanent residency permit, then their spouse or relatives should apply using a Q Visa.

Application Requirements

Both S Visas require the following information to be handed in at your nearest Chinese embassy, consulate or (in some countries) official visa processing center.

1. Completed visa application form.
2. One recent passport-size photograph with white or blue background.
3. Original, signed passport (with at least six months before expiration).
4. Evidence of previous Chinese visa (if you have previously received a Chinese visa).
5. Money for visa application fee.

Note: Application forms for visas and authentication or notarization can usually all be downloaded from the websites of the Chinese Embassy and Consulate General in your country, or collected from the visa section in person.You can try to download from this page.

• S1 Visa for long-term family visits

For an S1 Visa, the intended duration of stay in China must exceed 180 days.

Application requirements

In addition to the general requirements outlined at the beginning of this section, applicants should present the following documents:

1. Copies of the family member’s passport and residence permit.
2. Proof of relationship with family member.
3. Copy of your family member’s company’s Business License.
4. Copy of your family member’s company’s Enterprise Code License.
5. A letter from your family member’s company, with its official stamp, explaining that you are applying for a family visa.
6. Your family member’s company’s assignment letter, with official stamp.
7. Proof that either you or the visiting family members have enough money to sustain them while they are in China. This is not technically required, but is highly recommended for first-time applications and should take the form of a bank statement (or statements) covering the past six months. There is no specific detail on how much money must be in the bank account, but it should be enough that you are clearly not going to work illegally in China once you are here.

Validity

Over 180 days.

Visa Extension

With this visa, you can try to extend your stay in Mainland China.

Working Permission

You cannot obtain any job with this type of visa

• S2 Visa for long-term family visit

For an S2 visa, the intended duration of stay in China must be no more than 180 days.

Application requirements

In addition to the general requirements outlined at the beginning of this section, applicants should present:

1. Copies of the family member’s passport and residence permit.
2. Proof of relationship with family member.
3. Copy of your family member’s company’s Business License.
4. Copy of your family member’s company’s Enterprise Code License.
5. A letter from your family member’s company, with its official stamp, explaining that you are applying for a family visa.
6. Your family member’s company’s assignment letter, with official stamp.
7. Proof that either you or the visiting family members have enough money to sustain them while they are in China. This is not technically required, but is highly recommended for first-time applications and should take the form of a bank statement (or statements) covering the past six months. There is no specific detail on how much money must be in the bank account, but it should be enough that you are clearly not going to work illegally in China once you are here.

Validity

Up to 180 days.

Visa Extension

With this visa, you can extend your stay for up to 180 days.

Working Permission

You cannot

obtain any job with this type of visa.