China Family Reunion Visa (Q)

Chinese Family Reunion Visa, Q visa for short, is issued to relatives of Chinese citizens or foreigners residing in China with a permanent residence permit. Depending upon the duration of stay and applicants' eligibility, the Q visa is further divided into two subclasses: Q1 and Q2. Q1 is issued for a stay longer than 180 days, while Q2 is for a short-term visit less than 180 days.
 

Q1 visa is generally issued allowing a single entry, and the holders must apply for a Temporary Residence Permit within 30 days after entry. The residence permit can be granted for a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 5 years, and the holders can exit and reenter freely during the validity of the residence permit.

Q2 is flexible from 30 to 180 days, allowing single, double, or multiple entries, and the holders can stay in China for the duration as indicated on visa.
 

- Original passport valid for more than 6 months and a copy of the information page. US citizens can apply for a 10 years China Q2 visa if their passport is valid for one year or longer.
 

- China Visa Application Form with a recent color passport-sized photo.
 

- An invitation from the family member residing in China who is either a Chinese citizen or a foreigner with a Chinese permanent residence permit.

The invitation letter should contain:
a. Information regarding the applicant, including full name, gender, date of birth, etc.
b. Information about the visit, like purpose of visit, intended arrival date, place(s) of intended residence, intended duration of residence, arrival and departure dates, relation of the applicant to the inviting entity or individual, and financial source for expenditures.
c. Information regarding the inviting individual, including name, contact number, address, official stamp, signature of the inviting individual, etc.

See sample of the invitation letter.
 

- Original and copy of kinship proof such as Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate.
 

Applicants should go to the Chinese embassy, consulate or Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) wherever available for an application. Those aged 14-70 need to go in person. Besides, an appointment is required in most countries.
 

Normal processing takes about 4 working days. The applicant should apply one month prior to the intended travel. In case Express/Urgent Processing is approved by the Chinese embassy or the consulate-generals, the applicant will be required to pay an additional fee.
 

The fee for the China family reunion visa is the same as the fee for other types of Chinese visa. Generally, fees vary according to nationalities, and number of entries. But for some countries, like US, Canada, and Australia, the fee is fixed regardless of visa types and number of entries.

*The table is for reference only. For more details, please click China Visa Fees.
 

8 Tips for Filling Out Chinese Visa Application Form