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S2 Visa - Short-Term Private 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?

Recorded expiry date

. Confirmation is required after this date. Check the linked sources before relying on this recorded answer.

The S2 visa includes a short stay to handle a personal matter in China, distinct from its family-visit branch.

See recorded sources
  • Article 6(10) S2 definition
    （十）S1字签证，发给申请入境长期探亲的因工作、学习等事由在中国境内居留的外国人的配偶、父母、未满18周岁的子女、配偶的父母，以及因其他私人事务需要在中国境内居留的人员；S2字签证，发给申请入境短期探亲的因工作、学习等事由在中国境内停留居留的外国人的家庭成员，以及因其他私人事务需要在中国境内停留的人员。

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

Recorded expiry date

. Confirmation is required after this date. Check the linked sources before relying on this recorded answer.

It covers a foreigner with a substantiated private matter requiring a short stay; it is not an unrestricted work or residence programme.

See recorded sources
  • Article 6(10) S2 definition
    （十）S1字签证，发给申请入境长期探亲的因工作、学习等事由在中国境内居留的外国人的配偶、父母、未满18周岁的子女、配偶的父母，以及因其他私人事务需要在中国境内居留的人员；S2字签证，发给申请入境短期探亲的因工作、学习等事由在中国境内停留居留的外国人的家庭成员，以及因其他私人事务需要在中国境内停留的人员。
  • 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。

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

Recorded expiry date

. Confirmation is required after this date. Check the linked sources before relying on this recorded answer.

The documented personal matter is the application basis. Relevant private-affair evidence is required rather than assuming the person qualifies as a relative.

See recorded sources
  • Article 7(10)
    （十）申请S1字及S2字签证，应当按照要求提交因工作、学习等事由在中国境内停留居留的外国人出具的邀请函件、家庭成员关系证明，或者入境处理私人事务所需的证明材料。

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

Recorded expiry date

. Confirmation is required after this date. Check the linked sources before relying on this recorded answer.

Applicants must submit the general passport/application/photo and evidence of the personal matter. An extension uses supporting evidence for the private matter or humanitarian circumstances.

See recorded sources
  • Article 7 preamble
    第七条 外国人申请办理签证，应当填写申请表，提交本人的护照或者其他国际旅行证件以及符合规定的照片和申请事由的相关材料。
  • Article 7(10)
    （十）申请S1字及S2字签证，应当按照要求提交因工作、学习等事由在中国境内停留居留的外国人出具的邀请函件、家庭成员关系证明，或者入境处理私人事务所需的证明材料。
  • VII(9)
    （九）持S2字签证者，探亲人员应当提交被探望人出具的函件、外国人居留证件和家庭成员关系证明。其他人员应当提交处理私人事务或者具有人道原因的相关证明。对探亲人员，可以延长停留期限不超过180日，对其他人员，可以延长停留期限不超过90日。

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

Recorded expiry date

. Confirmation is required after this date. Check the linked sources before relying on this recorded answer.

Short-term means up to 180 days subject to the issued visa. The listed extension for other S2 private matters is no more than 90 days, with the aggregate original-stay cap and application at least seven days before expiry. Employment and automatic family inclusion are not granted by this provision.

See recorded sources
  • Article 36 short term
    （四）短期，是指在中国境内停留不超过180日（含180日）。
  • VII(9)
    （九）持S2字签证者，探亲人员应当提交被探望人出具的函件、外国人居留证件和家庭成员关系证明。其他人员应当提交处理私人事务或者具有人道原因的相关证明。对探亲人员，可以延长停留期限不超过180日，对其他人员，可以延长停留期限不超过90日。
  • Article 29 extension
    需要延长签证停留期限的，应当在签证注明的停留期限届满七日前向停留地县级以上地方人民政府公安机关出入境管理机构申请，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，准予延长停留期限；不予延长停留期限的，应当按期离境。
  • Article 29 final paragraph
    延长签证停留期限，累计不得超过签证原注明的停留期限。
  • 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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