Rajiv Gangwar · 5 min readUpdated
Understand Q1, Q2, S1 and S2 family-visit document preparation, including inviter status, intended stay, invitation and relationship evidence.
“Family visit visa” can refer to different China visa categories. The correct preparation starts with two questions: what status does the inviter hold in China, and is the intended stay more than 180 days or no more than 180 days? Relationship eligibility also differs between categories.
Q and S categories are not interchangeable
| Category context | Inviter/status context | Intended stay | Preparation focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Chinese citizen or foreign citizen with Chinese permanent residence | More than 180 days / family reunion context | Invitation, inviter identity/status and qualifying relationship evidence; residence-permit step after entry applies. |
| Q2 | Chinese citizen or foreign citizen with Chinese permanent residence | No more than 180 days | Invitation and inviter identity/status; current India guidance also describes relationship evidence requirements. |
| S1 | Foreigner residing in China for work, study or another qualifying purpose | More than 180 days | Invitation, inviter passport/residence permit and the narrower long-stay relationship definition; residence-permit step after entry applies. |
| S2 | Foreigner staying or residing in China for work, study or another qualifying purpose | No more than 180 days | Invitation, inviter passport/residence permit and relationship evidence for an eligible family member, or evidence for another qualifying private matter. |
This is an educational comparison, not an official category decision tool. Use the exact current category page for the applicant's circumstances.
Start with the inviter's status
If the inviter is a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with Chinese permanent residence, a Q category may be relevant. If the inviter is a foreigner living in China under a work, study or other residence status, an S category may be relevant. A foreign passport alone does not prove permanent residence or current residence status; prepare the status evidence specified by the category.
Then check duration and relationship eligibility
Current official descriptions separate long stays exceeding 180 days from visits of no more than 180 days. They also define eligible relatives differently. For example, the current New Delhi S1 page uses a narrower family definition than its S2 page. Do not assume that a relationship accepted in one category automatically qualifies in another.
Q1 and S1 holders are currently reminded to apply for a residence permit within 30 days after entry. That later requirement should not be confused with the initial visa application.
Common applicant preparation
The current category pages describe passport, application-form, photograph and conditional passport-history/legal-status material. The applicant's name, birth details, passport and intended stay must match the invitation and relationship documents. See the main China visa document checklist for the three-layer preparation model.
Invitation and inviter evidence
Official family-category pages require invitation information covering the applicant, purpose and duration of the visit, intended places, relationship, financial support where relevant, and the inviter's contact details and signature. The inviter evidence depends on status:
- a Chinese inviter may need identity-card evidence;
- a foreign permanent resident inviter may need passport and Chinese permanent-residence evidence; or
- a foreign inviter under an S category may need passport and current Chinese residence-permit evidence.
Use current, readable copies. Do not substitute an unrelated relative's status document because it is easier to obtain.
Relationship documents
Depending on the category and relationship, evidence may include a marriage certificate, birth certificate or other qualifying kinship certification. The document should connect the applicant to the inviter through a clear, genuine chain. Names and dates should match; genuine spelling changes or different naming formats should be explained with appropriate evidence rather than altered.
Attestation or legalization is not a universal instruction for every document in every family application. Current New Delhi pages contain category-specific wording, and some India guidance distinguishes Chinese-issued relationship documents from other documents. Confirm the requirement for the exact document, issuing country and category before arranging attestation.
Family visit document map
- Identify the inviter and their status in China.
- Confirm the genuine purpose and intended duration.
- Check whether the relationship fits the current category definition.
- Prepare the applicant's common documents.
- Prepare the invitation and inviter status evidence.
- Prepare applicable relationship evidence and verify any attestation requirement.
- Compare names, dates, address, relationship and funding across the complete file.
Common problems to catch
- Selecting Q because the trip is called a family visit even though the inviter's status points to S.
- Selecting a long-stay category without checking its narrower relationship definition.
- Using an expired or incomplete inviter status document.
- Giving different intended stays in the form and invitation.
- Assuming every relationship certificate needs—or never needs—attestation.
- Sending originals before confirming the current requirement.
The application guide, common mistakes guide and photo guide cover shared preparation. For private document assistance, see the Family Visit Visa service. Visa Expertz cannot decide the category for the authority or guarantee approval.
Official information checked
When a child is applying, also check the family preparation guide for minor applicants for identity, guardian and separate application-status questions.
This article was checked against the current New Delhi category directory and its official Q1, Q2, S1 and S2 pages. Recheck them because document and process requirements are freshness-sensitive.
