Visas

Family Visit Visa

Requirment

This visa is issued to relatives of Chinese citizens or foreigners residing in China with a permanent residence permit. The S1 Chinese visa can be valid for a stay of up to 180 days in rare cases, but most often 90 days can be expected.

Regular service fee per visa:
$349

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Requirements
Fees
Passport
You must provide your actual signed passport, including one copy of the personal information page of your passport. Your passport must:
Be valid for six months beyond the length of your requested visa (for example, if you are requesting a 12 month visa your passport must be valid for 18 months )
Contain at least two blank visa pages for the visa stamp (amendments and endorsement pages cannot be used to fulfill this requirement)
Not be frayed, torn, separating, or altered in any other way
If your passport does not meet these requirements, please contact China Visa Service Center at 1-800-799-6560 for further details.

Photograph(s)
The Chinese Consulate requires a photograph that meets very strict requirements. We strongly recommend that you submit your photograph electronically to China Visa Service Center so we can ensure it meets the stringent characteristics mandated by the Chinese Consulate. Follow https://www.mychinavisa.com/photo-service to upload your photo.

All electronic photo submissions must be taken within the last six months against an all-white background. It must show a full frontal view of your head, face centered in the middle, the tops of your shoulders, and display a neutral (non-smiling) expression with eyes open, mouth closed, and ears visible. No background light or shadows are permitted. You may not wear eyeglasses, jewelry, or headwear except for religious purposes. Do not wear a white shirt.

Should you elect to submit an actual photograph then it must meet all of the above criteria and:

Be exactly 48 mm tall by 33 mm wide
Be printed on high-quality photo paper
Not be affixed to your application, with no evidence of adhesive tape or staples
Note that most passport photo vendors produce photos that are 2 inches by 2 inches and are not acceptable. China Visa Service Center cannot submit applications with incorrectly formatted photographs.

Letter of Invitation
You must provide a letter of invitation from the individual you are visiting. The invitation must:

Include your name, gender, and date of birth
Provide host's full name, contact information, telephone number, address, and signature
Include information regarding the relationship between you and your host
Detail the purpose of your trip
Specify your arrival and departure dates
Include the full address of the intended residence
Specify who is financially responsible for the trip
Proof of State Residency
You must provide a proof of your current address of residency. The document must either be a copy of the front of your driver's license or government ID, or a utility bill. The document must:

Display your name as it appears on your passport
Display the current residence address as provided on your visa application
Please note, if you must submit a utility bill the consulate requires electric, gas, or a water bill; phone and cable bills are not accepted.

PU Letter
If you have secured your own PU it must show the consulate applicable to your jurisdiction. If you are unsure about the PU or need China Visa Service Center to assist in obtaining this requirement please contact China Visa Service Center for further directions.

China Visa Service Center Order Form
Provide the China Visa Service Center Order Form included in this kit.

Visa Application Form
One fully completed and signed visa application form. The application must:

Be completed online
Include answers for all required fields (NA where not applicable)
List the name of the traveler exactly as it is written in the passport
Be printed single-sided
Be dated and signed in blue or black ink
Be enclosed with all other documents in your visa application kit
China Visa Service Center provides a guide to assist you in completing the application. To access the guide follow this link: https://www.mychinavisa.com/forms?formname=China Application Guide.pdf or type the address into your browser.

Health Declaration
Applicants must provide the Health Declaration Form which can be found within the China Visa Service Center Application kit.

Authorization Letter
You must provide a letter of authorization found in this kit, authorizing China Visa Service Center to submit and collect your visa application and documents on your behalf.

Proof of Travel Arrangements
You must provide proof of travel arrangements for the duration of your trip. Details of your intended arrangements must:
Include a copy of an itinerary or e-ticket that displays your round trip travel and entry and exit dates for your destination
Show the traveler's full name (as printed in his or her passport)
Former PRC Nationals or Individuals Born in Chinese Territories
If you are a former PRC passport holder or were born in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau:

You must write your name in Chinese characters for question 1.2 on the visa application form
You must provide a copy of your most recent China visa and a copy of the passport in which the visa was issued
If you have never been issued a China visa you must submit your original China passport and a copy of your Green Card, and a copy of your Naturalization Certificate
If you were adopted from China you must also include a copy of your adoption papers showing adoptive parents names, name change, and photo with parents (do not include the original papers). If applicable, include a copy of your naturalization certificate and U.S. birth certificate.
Proof of Kinship
You must provide proof of kinship to the spouse or family member you are visiting in China. You must include one of the following:

Original and copy of marriage certificate
Original and copy of birth certificate
Notarized certification of kinship
Additional Documents
You must provide:

A copy of the passport and residence permit of the family member you intend to visit
A copy of the Chinese national ID of the family member you intend to visit.
Media Professionals and Religious Professionals
If you are a religious professional, media professional or employed by a media company, even if you are not traveling for business purposes, you must submit both a personal statement and a letter from your employer on company letterhead indicating that you are not traveling on company business and will not be performing any media or religious related work.

Previous Visas
If you have been granted a China visa in the past, you must provide a copy of the most recent issued China visa. If the visa is not located in your current passport, you must submit the original passport containing the previous China visa.
Applicants with Criminal Record
Travelers with a criminal record will be required to appear in person at the consulate in order to provide biometrics.
U.S. Citizens Born in Certain Countries
U.S. citizens born in Afghanistan, Cameroon, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Nigeria, Tunisia, Turkey, or Syria who are currently traveling to China with their American passport will need to make a personal appearance in order to apply for a visa to China. China Visa Service Center will be unable to assist you with your visa request.
Urgent Applications
If you have an urgent visa application that carries a tight deadline, China Visa Service Center can help you to save valuable time and avoid expensive delays. A China Visa Service Center expert will review all of your documents to certify your application is accurate, complete and ready for submission. We will contact you personally to quickly handle any mistakes ensuring your application is submitted correctly. Visit https://www.mychinavisa.com/visa-pre-check-service to learn more about this service.
Proof of Vaccine
You may provide your original CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Card showing full vaccination status or you may provide a notarized copy of the front and back of the Vaccination card.
Travel Record
You must provide a copy of the travel record form included in this kit. The form must:

Include all countries that you have visited
Be signed
Include entry/exit dates of each travel
Additional Documents
You must complete a "Where You Stay" form included in this kits.
U.S. Citizens Born in Certain Countries
U.S. citizens born in Afghanistan, Cameroon, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Nigeria, Tunisia, Turkey, or Syria who are currently traveling to China with their American passport will need to make a personal appearance in order to apply for a visa to China. China Visa Service Center will be unable to assist you with your visa request.
Military Statement
If you have a Military background, the Chinese Consulate request a separate statement describing your job description including the following information:

Attention to Consulate of the People's Republic of China
Your Full name
Job Description
Training
Complete dates served
Work Frequency, etc.
Signed and Date