Dependant family visa
in China.

If you want your immediate family members to relocate to China with you, they will need to apply for a dependant visa. Our immigration team can help you get the visa for your family quickly and easily.

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What is a dependant visa?

The dependant visa is issued to immediate family members of Chinese citizens, foreigners with Chinese permanent residence (Q-visa), or foreigners who work and study in China (S-visa).

Eligibility criteria

Who is eligible for a dependant visa?

S1 visa

This type of visa is issued to the spouse, parents, children under 18 years old, and parents-in-law of foreigners who work and study in China. The length of stay is more than 180 days. The S1 is a single entry visa, and the holder must apply for a residence permit within 30 days of entry.

Q1 visa

This type of visa is issued to family members of Chinese citizens or foreigners with Chinese permanent residency. The length of stay is more than 180 days. The Q1 is a single entry visa, and the holder must apply for a residence permit within 30 days of entry.

S2 visa

This type of visa is issued to the spouse, parents, children, children’s spouse, parents-in-law, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren of foreigners who work and study in China. The length of stay is 180 days or less. The S2 is a multiple entry visa and valid for up to 10 years, allowing for a stay of no more than 180 days per visit.

Q2 visa

This type of visa is issued to the spouse, parents, parents-in-law, children, children’s spouse, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren of Chinese citizens or foreigners with Chinese permanent residency. The length of stay is 180 days or less. The Q2 is a multiple entry visa and valid for up to 10 years, allowing for a stay of no more than 180 days per visit.

Application process

Taking care of the whole application process from start to finish.

Pre-application advice

Advice on acquiring a dependant visa in China and requirements for a successful application

Application tracking

Filing and tracking the status of applications

Document issuance

Arranging for issuance of dependant visa upon in-principle approval

Visa renewals

Handling renewal of business visa before it expires

Application documents

What you will need to apply.

Both S and Q type visas will require the following documents:

Passport with valid entry visa
Completed visa application form with official stamp
Original registration form of temporary residence
Family member’s passport with a valid residence permit for S visa or family member’s ID and a proof of over six months’ residence in China for Q visa
Two passport photos with white or light blue background
A letter from your family member guaranteeing that your living expenses will be taken care of and that you will follow Chinese laws during your stay
Relationship certificate notarised by the Chinese embassy

S1 and Q1 visa applications will also require an original health certificate except for children less than 18 years old or senior citizens more than 70 years old.

S visa will also require an application letter with official stamp and a copy of the business license from your family member’s company.

The average processing time will take 2-3 weeks.

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Dependant family visa
in China.

What is a dependant visa?

Eligibility criteria