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S1 Visa and Private-Affairs Residence Permit - Other Long-Term Personal Matter

ChinaSpecial cases

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

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Explore pathways in China Read the five questions ↓

What exactly is the official special programme/status and why does it exist?

This is the private-affairs residence option for a non-family personal matter requiring residence, following S1 entry where applicable.

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)
    Other persons shall submit supporting materials related to the handling of private affairs. A residence permit with a validity period of no more than 1 year may be issued.

Which specific population, role, circumstance or historical/legal situation does it cover?

It covers foreigners who need to reside in China for another substantiated personal matter, distinct from the defined dependent-family category.

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)
    Other persons shall submit supporting materials related to the handling of private affairs. A residence permit with a validity period of no more than 1 year may be issued.

What circumstance, event, relationship, nomination, invitation or status activates access?

A documented need to handle the personal matter activates the application; the guide does not identify one universal qualifying event.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The exact personal matter and its acceptance must be established case by case.
  • V(2)(e)
    Other persons shall submit supporting materials related to the handling of private affairs. A residence permit with a validity period of no more than 1 year may be issued.

What sponsor, authority, nomination, certification, evidence or other step must occur before the status can be obtained?

Applicants must submit evidence connected to the private affair. Beijing asks for related certificates, application letters or guarantees, in addition to the passport, application/photo and accommodation registration.

See recorded sources
  • V(2)(e)
    Other persons shall submit supporting materials related to the handling of private affairs. A residence permit with a validity period of no more than 1 year may be issued.
  • Materials 8
    8. Foreigners who need to reside in Beijing due to other private business shall submit certificates, application letters or guarantees related to their subject matter.
  • VI(1)(1)
    1、有效护照或者其他国际旅行证件；
  • VI(1)(2)
    2、填写外国人签证证件申请表，交一张符合《出入境证件相片照相指引》标准的照片；
  • Materials 3
    3. A valid accommodation registration in Beijing.

What immigration status and rights result, how long do they last, can family be included, and what happens if the special qualifying circumstance ends?

The national other-private-affairs provision allows residence for no more than one year. Applications go to the local public security exit-entry authority; where the entry visa requires residence formalities, the application must be made within 30 days after entry. Renewal is applied for 30 days before expiry with continuing-purpose evidence, and the holder must leave on time if refused. Activity must remain consistent with the permitted purpose, and employment requires separate permission. The provision does not create automatic family inclusion or permanent residence.

See recorded sources
  • V(2)(e)
    Other persons shall submit supporting materials related to the handling of private affairs. A residence permit with a validity period of no more than 1 year 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 37
    第三十七条 外国人在中国境内停留居留，不得从事与停留居留事由不相符的活动，并应当在规定的停留居留期限届满前离境。
  • 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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