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S1 Visa and Private-Affairs Residence Permit - Dependent Family

ChinaFamily

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

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Explore pathways in China Read the five questions ↓

Which family relationships qualify?

The long-term dependent category covers a foreign resident spouse, parents, parents-in-law and children under 18.

See recorded sources
  • Article 6(10)
    (10) The S1 visa is issued to the spouses, parents, children under the age of 18 or parents-in-law of foreigners residing in China for work, study or other purposes who apply for a long-term visit to China, as well as for persons who need to reside in China for other personal matters; the S2 visa is for family members of foreigners staying or residing in China for work, study or other purposes who apply for a short-term visit to China, as well as for persons who need to stay in China for other personal matters;
  • V(2)(e)
    For foreigners entering China with S1 visa for the purpose of visiting family, the applicant shall submit a letter explaining the kinship (spouse, parents, spouse's parents, minor children below 18) from and the residence permit of the person being visited. A residence permit with a validity period consistent with that of the residence permit of the person being visited in China may be issued.

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

The person visited must be a foreigner residing in China for work, study or another recognized purpose. The residence application uses that person's residence permit and relationship letter.

See recorded sources
  • Article 6(10)
    (10) The S1 visa is issued to the spouses, parents, children under the age of 18 or parents-in-law of foreigners residing in China for work, study or other purposes who apply for a long-term visit to China, as well as for persons who need to reside in China for other personal matters; the S2 visa is for family members of foreigners staying or residing in China for work, study or other purposes who apply for a short-term visit to China, as well as for persons who need to stay in China for other personal matters;
  • V(2)(e)
    For foreigners entering China with S1 visa for the purpose of visiting family, the applicant shall submit a letter explaining the kinship (spouse, parents, spouse's parents, minor children below 18) from and the residence permit of the person being visited. A residence permit with a validity period consistent with that of the residence permit of the person being visited in China may be issued.

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

Applicants must supply the invitation and the required relationship evidence. S1 entrants supply the resident sponsor's letter and permit; applicants entering with another visa also submit formal kinship evidence. For public documents within the Apostille Convention scope from countries for which it applies with China, an apostille replaces consular legalisation from 7 November 2023; other documents require the applicable authentication procedure.

See recorded sources
  • Article 7(10)
    (10) To apply for the S1 or S2 visa, the applicant shall, as required, submit the invitation letter provided by the foreigner staying or residing in China for work, study or other purposes and proof of family relationship, or the certification documents required for dealing with personal matters in China;
  • V(2)(e)
    For foreigners entering China with S1 visa for the purpose of visiting family, the applicant shall submit a letter explaining the kinship (spouse, parents, spouse's parents, minor children below 18) from and the residence permit of the person being visited. A residence permit with a validity period consistent with that of the residence permit of the person being visited in China may be issued.
  • V(2)(e)
    For foreigners entering China with other categories of visa, the visiting person shall submit a letter from and the residence permit of the person being visited and certificate of the kinship (spouse, parents, spouse's parents, minor children below 18). A residence permit with a validity period consistent with that of the residence permit of the person being visited in China may be issued.
  • Implementation paragraph 2
    《公约》是海牙国际私法会议框架下适用范围最广、缔约成员最多的国际条约，旨在简化公文书跨国流转程序。11月7日起，中国送往其他缔约国使用的公文书，仅需办理《公约》规定的附加证明书（Apostille），即可送其他缔约国使用，无需办理中国和缔约国驻华使领馆的领事认证。其他缔约国公文书送中国内地使用，只需办理该国附加证明书，无需办理该国和中国驻当地使领馆的领事认证。

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

The national dependent provision does not give a universal maintenance or insurance amount. In Beijing, valid accommodation registration is required.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • No national numeric maintenance or insurance requirement is established in these dependent provisions.
  • V(2)(e)
    For foreigners entering China with S1 visa for the purpose of visiting family, the applicant shall submit a letter explaining the kinship (spouse, parents, spouse's parents, minor children below 18) from and the residence permit of the person being visited. A residence permit with a validity period consistent with that of the residence permit of the person being visited in China may be issued.
  • Materials 3
    3. A valid accommodation registration in Beijing.

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?

The dependent private-affairs residence period can align with the sponsor residence permit. Apply to the local public security exit-entry authority. Where the entry visa requires residence formalities, apply within 30 days after entry. For renewal, apply 30 days before expiry with continuing-purpose evidence; leave on time if refused. Employment requires the prescribed work permission; an independently held or permanent status is not automatically created by this dependent application.

See recorded sources
  • V(2)(e)
    For foreigners entering China with S1 visa for the purpose of visiting family, the applicant shall submit a letter explaining the kinship (spouse, parents, spouse's parents, minor children below 18) from and the residence permit of the person being visited. A residence permit with a validity period consistent with that of the residence permit of the person being visited in China may be issued.
  • VI(2) entry deadline
    外国人所持签证注明入境后需要办理居留证件的，应当自入境之日起30日内，向拟居留地公安机关出入境管理机构申请办理外国人居留证件。
  • Article 32
    第三十二条 在中国境内居留的外国人申请延长居留期限的，应当在居留证件有效期限届满三十日前向居留地县级以上地方人民政府公安机关出入境管理机构提出申请，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，准予延长居留期限；不予延长居留期限的，应当按期离境。
  • 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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