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S2 Visa - Short-Term Visit to Foreign Resident

ChinaFamily

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Explore pathways in China Read the five questions ↓

Which family relationships qualify?

Recorded expiry date

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

Family members making a short visit to a foreigner staying or residing in China for work, study or another recognised purpose qualify. The defined family includes spouses, parents, parents-in-law, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren and children's spouses.

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。
  • XVI family definition
    （一）家庭成员：包括配偶、父母、配偶的父母、子女、兄弟姐妹、祖父母、外祖父母、孙子女、外孙子女、子女的配偶。

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

Recorded expiry date

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

The inviter must be the foreigner lawfully staying or residing in China for the stated work, study or other purpose.

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 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 is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

Recorded expiry date

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

Applicants must supply the invitation and relationship evidence; for an extension, they provide the visited person's letter, the foreigner's residence permit and family-relationship proof.

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。
  • 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。
  • XVI relationship evidence
    （二）家庭成员关系证明和亲属关系证明：有关国家主管部门出具的结婚证明、出生证明、收养证明、其他亲属关系证明以及相关公证；所属国驻华使领馆出具的婚姻证明、出生证明、亲属关系证明、姓名等资料变更证明等。

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

The law requires stay expenses to be secured. These family-visit provisions do not set one universal cash maintenance or insurance amount. Non-hotel accommodation must be registered within 24 hours.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Any specific financial guarantee, accommodation evidence and insurance conditions must be checked with the responsible consular office.
  • Article 21(4)
    （四）在申请签证过程中弄虚作假或者不能保障在中国境内期间所需费用的；
  • Article 39(2)
    外国人在旅馆以外的其他住所居住或者住宿的，应当在入住后二十四小时内由本人或者留宿人，向居住地的公安机关办理登记。

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

Recorded expiry date

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

Short-term means no more than 180 days, but the issued visa may authorise less. For an S2 family visit, the listed extension cap is 180 days, distinct from the 90-day cap for other private matters. Apply for extension at least seven days before expiry; cumulative extensions cannot exceed the originally granted stay. Family-visit permission does not itself authorise employment.

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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