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Q2 Visa - Short-Term Visit to Chinese Citizen or Permanent Resident

ChinaFamily

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Which family relationships qualify?

Relatives making a short visit to a Chinese citizen living in China or to a foreign permanent resident qualify.

See recorded sources
  • Article 6(8) Q2 definition
    (八)Q1字签证,发给因家庭团聚申请入境居留的中国公民的家庭成员和具有中国永久居留资格的外国人的家庭成员,以及因寄养等原因申请入境居留的人员;Q2字签证,发给申请入境短期探亲的居住在中国境内的中国公民的亲属和具有中国永久居留资格的外国人的亲属。
  • XVI family definition
    (一)家庭成员:包括配偶、父母、配偶的父母、子女、兄弟姐妹、祖父母、外祖父母、孙子女、外孙子女、子女的配偶。

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

The inviter is a Chinese citizen living in China or a foreign national with Chinese permanent residence.

See recorded sources
  • Article 6(8) Q2 definition
    (八)Q1字签证,发给因家庭团聚申请入境居留的中国公民的家庭成员和具有中国永久居留资格的外国人的家庭成员,以及因寄养等原因申请入境居留的人员;Q2字签证,发给申请入境短期探亲的居住在中国境内的中国公民的亲属和具有中国永久居留资格的外国人的亲属。
  • Article 7(8) Q2 evidence
    (八)申请Q1字签证,因家庭团聚申请入境居留的,应当提交居住在中国境内的中国公民、具有永久居留资格的外国人出具的邀请函件和家庭成员关系证明,因寄养等原因申请入境的,应当提交委托书等证明材料;申请Q2字签证,应当提交居住在中国境内的中国公民、具有永久居留资格的外国人出具的邀请函件等证明材料。

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

The entry application uses the sponsor's invitation; an extension additionally requires the sponsor's identity and family-relationship proof.

See recorded sources
  • Article 7(8) Q2 evidence
    (八)申请Q1字签证,因家庭团聚申请入境居留的,应当提交居住在中国境内的中国公民、具有永久居留资格的外国人出具的邀请函件和家庭成员关系证明,因寄养等原因申请入境的,应当提交委托书等证明材料;申请Q2字签证,应当提交居住在中国境内的中国公民、具有永久居留资格的外国人出具的邀请函件等证明材料。
  • VII(7)
    (七)持Q2字签证者,应当提交被探望人出具的函件、身份证明、家庭成员关系证明。可以延长停留期限不超过180日。
  • XVI relationship evidence
    (二)家庭成员关系证明和亲属关系证明:有关国家主管部门出具的结婚证明、出生证明、收养证明、其他亲属关系证明以及相关公证;所属国驻华使领馆出具的婚姻证明、出生证明、亲属关系证明、姓名等资料变更证明等。

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

The law requires stay expenses to be secured. These family-visit provisions do not set one universal cash maintenance or insurance amount. Non-hotel accommodation must be registered within 24 hours.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Any specific financial guarantee, accommodation evidence and insurance conditions must be checked with the responsible consular office.
  • Article 21(4)
    (四)在申请签证过程中弄虚作假或者不能保障在中国境内期间所需费用的;
  • Article 39(2)
    外国人在旅馆以外的其他住所居住或者住宿的,应当在入住后二十四小时内由本人或者留宿人,向居住地的公安机关办理登记。

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

Short-term means no more than 180 days, but the issued visa may authorise less. The guide permits a Q2 extension of up to 180 days. Apply for extension at least seven days before expiry; cumulative extensions cannot exceed the originally granted stay. Family-visit permission does not itself authorise employment.

See recorded sources
  • Article 36 short term
    (四)短期,是指在中国境内停留不超过180日(含180日)。
  • VII(7)
    (七)持Q2字签证者,应当提交被探望人出具的函件、身份证明、家庭成员关系证明。可以延长停留期限不超过180日。
  • Article 29 extension
    需要延长签证停留期限的,应当在签证注明的停留期限届满七日前向停留地县级以上地方人民政府公安机关出入境管理机构申请,按照要求提交申请事由的相关材料。经审查,延期理由合理、充分的,准予延长停留期限;不予延长停留期限的,应当按期离境。
  • Article 29 final paragraph
    延长签证停留期限,累计不得超过签证原注明的停留期限。
  • Article 41
    第四十一条 外国人在中国境内工作,应当按照规定取得工作许可和工作类居留证件。任何单位和个人不得聘用未取得工作许可和工作类居留证件的外国人。

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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