What’s S1 visa or S2 visa?
1. S1 visa
is issued to those who intend to go to China to visit the foreigners working or studying in China to whom they are spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 or parents-in-law, or to those who intend to go to China for other private affairs. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.
Holders of S1 Visa shall apply for foreigners’ residence permits from the exit/entry administrations of local public security organs within 30 days from the date of entry.
2. S2 visa
is issued to those who intend to visit their family members who are foreigners working or studying in China, or to those who intend to go to China for other private matters. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days. “Family members” refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law. Visa applicant should be located in overseas but not in mainland China while the application is submitted.
Application Materials For S Visa
1. Passport
Original passport with at least one blank visa page and valid for at least 6 months.
2. Passport photocopy
One photocopy of data and photo pages of the passport.
3. Visa Application Form
One truthfully, correctly and completely filled Visa Application Form (Form V.2013).
Application form must be typed in black capital letters.
Hand-written application forms are not accepted.
4. Photo
One recently-taken, color, passport photo against a light background.
5. Supporting documents
1) Invitation letter
An invitation letter from the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) which contains:
A. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
B. Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place of intended residence, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.)
C. Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, signature, etc.)
2) Passport and Residence Permit
One photocopy of passport and permanent residence permit of the Foreign inviter.
3) Proof of relationship
Original and photocopy of certificate of relationship between applicant and inviter, such as marriage certificate, birth certificate, or certificate of kinship issued by or legalized by government agencies.
6. Proof of legal status of non-American applicant
Non-American applicant should have legal status in the USA and a copy of status proof, such as certificate of residence, employment, student or other legal status in the USA should also be submitted.
7. Previous Chinese passport or Chinese visa
When applying for Chinese visa with a new passport, applicant who used to be of Chinese citizenship should submit the original and a copy of data page of the last Chinese passport, or a copy of previous Chinese visa on the previous foreign passport.
If the name on the current passport differs from that on the previous passport, an official document of name change should also be submitted.
