Apply for Private/Family Visa (S1 and S2 Visa) for China online

China private visa – for what?

You are planning to visit family members in China who live in the Far East or are staying abroad as part of a study or work stay? Or are you traveling to the East Asian People's Republic for private reasons? For these purposes, there are private visas for China. Applicants are required to prove a relationship to the inviting host by means of birth or marriage certificates. Former Chinese citizens need, among other things, the naturalization certificate of their new home country.

Private visa for China

apply

IMPORTANT CHANGE

As of 2023, China has temporarily suspended the collection of fingerprints from applicants for certain family visit visas (Q2 and S2) with a validity period of less than 180 days. This regulation will remain in effect until December 31, 2025. For more information and clarifications, please click here.

Types of Private Visas

The Chinese authorities classify visitor visas into Q and S visas. The right visa for your trip depends on your planned length of stay and the degree of relationship between you and the person you are visiting. Additionally, it is crucial whether your family member is a Chinese citizen or a foreigner with a permanent residence permit, or is staying in China long-term with a visa (e.g. student or work visa). If you are visiting friends or acquaintances with whom you do not have a close relationship, a family visa is not suitable for you. You need an L Visa.

S visa for China – for visits to relatives overseas

Für Familienangehörige eines Ausländers, der arbeitet, studiert, eine Schule besucht, sich fortbildet oder sich aus anderen Gründen in China aufhält (z. B. Arztbesuch usw.).
Das S1-Visum erhalten Sie bei einer Besuchsdauer von mehr als 180 Tagen. Als Verwandte gelten Eltern, Ehegatten, Schwiegereltern und Kinder unter 18 Jahren.
Das S2-Visum ist die passende Reiseerlaubnis, wenn Sie Ihre Familienangehörigen für einen Zeitraum von weniger als 180 Tagen besuchen. Den Verwandtschaftsgrad fassen die Behörden bei diesem Visum-Untertyp etwas weiter: Ehepartner, Eltern, Großeltern, Schwiegereltern, Kinder, Schwiegersöhne und -töchter, Geschwister und Enkel haben die Möglichkeit, das S2-Visum zu beantragen.

Q-Visa for China - for visiting relatives in China

Für Personen, die Verwandte von chinesischen Staatsangehörigen (oder ausländischen Staatsangehörigen mit ständigem Wohnsitz in China) sind.
Das Q1-Visum gilt für Aufenthalte für mehr als 180 Tage. Der Begriff "Familienangehörige" schließt im Falle dieser Visa-Unterkategorie Ehegatten, Eltern, Söhne, Töchter, Schwiegersöhne oder -töchter, Brüder, Schwestern, Großeltern, Enkel und Schwiegereltern ein.
Das Q2-Visum erhalten Sie, wenn Ihr Gastgeber Sie zu einem Kurzzeit-Familienbesuch nach China einlädt. Der Aufenthalt ist auf maximal 180 Tage beschränkt. In Einzelfällen akzeptieren die zuständigen Visastellen, dass Freunde oder Lebenspartner mit einem Privatvisum des Typs Q2 reisen.

Documents for the private visa / family reunion visa

Visa application

Passport

Passport photo

Invitation

Proof of relationship

Host's ID

Do you have any questions about the visitor visa for China?

What information is mandatory in a private invitation for visiting China?

The private invitation letter must include the following information:

Personal data of the applicant: gender, full name, date of birth, passport number
Information about the purpose of the visit: occasion, date of entry, planned destinations, planned duration of stay, relationship between the inviting person and the invited visa applicant, information about financial security during the stay in China
Details about the inviting person: gender, full name, address, telephone number, signature

What should be considered for the private visa for former Chinese citizens?

You are a former Chinese citizen and plan to visit your relatives in China? Please read the following instructions:

The name must be additionally entered in Chinese characters in the visa application.
Chinese-origin travelers with German citizenship, who are entering China for the first time since naturalization in Germany, are required to present the naturalization certificate in addition to the visa application.
Overseas Chinese who have previously obtained Chinese visas and are applying for a Chinese visa again with a new German or foreign passport (without Chinese visas) should submit the old passport and a copy of the page with personal data as well as copies of the pages with Chinese visas along with the visa application. If the old passport is no longer available, a copy of the naturalization certificate must be submitted.
Former Chinese citizens who have changed their name need an official document regarding the name change.