Chinese Short Term Family Reunion (Q2) Visa Application Requirements

Chinese Short Term Family Reunion (Q2) visa is required for those who are traveling to China to visit family members who are Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with a permanent residence status in China. Q2 visa usually allow you to stay in China for up to 120 days per visit and allow multiple entries for a term up to 10 years for US and Canadian passport holders. Passport holders from other countries will usually be issued single valid for 3 months or double entry valid for 6 months with up to 90 days per visit. 10 years visa is not guaranteed. The total length of a visa is at the sole discretion of the Consulate, and they may issue a limited entry or shorter duration visa. The requirements for Short Term Family Reunion (Q2) visa are detailed below.

Do not staple any of the documents together. The Consulate will reject all stapled applications. Paperclips may be used.

Please note that the checklist for visa applications can vary. Visa officers from different countries make decisions based on each applicant’s specific circumstances. Once we understand your situation, we will provide the best possible solution, but we cannot guarantee 100% success in obtaining a visa. Make sure you are as prepared as possible for your trip to China. – 10/7/2024

1: Original Passport Plus a Photocopy of the Name Page

• Please include the original passport. The visa will be printed on your passport.
• It is recommended that passports have at least 6 months left before expiration.
• The passport should have at least 2 blank visa pages. Please keep in mind, this does not include the last 3 pages, as those are reserved by the US Department of State.
• If you have previously held a Chinese Visa, please provide a photocopy of previous Chinese visa.
• If previous Chinese visa is on an old passport, photocopy of old passport is required.
• If you have a VALID Chinese visa on an old passport and would like to apply for a new visa, you will need to submit both old and current original passports.
• Non-US passport holders must provide a photocopy of their proof of legal stay in the US. Green card, full copy off I-20 or long term US visa such as: L, H, F, TN. B1/B2 visa will not be eligible. Please do not send original unless the Chinese Consulate specifically request it.

Certain Non-US passport holders cannot apply for a visa through third parties or are blocked entry to China: we recommend to send an email inquiry or wait for Consulate announcements.

2: Your Visa Application Form

• Link to form: cova.mfa.gov.cn
• Fill out the application on your computer, print it, and sign it manually. Do not complete the form by hand, and avoid using digital signatures. 
• Ensure all fields are filled in. If a section is not relevant to you, enter “None” or “N/A.”
• After completing the form, do not click “Continue.” Instead, click “Save” and provide us with both the application number and your passport number. The form must be reviewed by us before submission.
• Please note, non-U.S. passport holders are only eligible to apply for Single or Double Entry visas.

3: One Recent Passport Photo

• The photo needs to contain your full face on a white background.
• The photo cannot be older than 6 months.
• Your local drugstore (such as Walgreens or CVS) are great places to get a passport photo taken.
• Please attach the photo to the application with a paperclip. Do not staple.

Please see: Chinese Visa Photo requirements

4: Address Verification

• Photocopy of driver’s license or state ID
• If you do not have either of the above, you may submit a utility bill

5: Invitation Letter from Host in China

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 must contain:

1. Personal information of the applicant (name, gender, date of birth, passport number).
2. Information on the visit (purpose of visit, date of arrival/departure, place and duration of residence, between applicant and host, financial source for expenditures).
3. Information of the host (name, phone number, address, and signature).
4. Photocopy of the host’s Chinese Identity Card (for Chinese citizen) or Permanent Residence Permit plus photocopy of passport (for foreigner).

Sample of Chinese ID:

Please see: Sample of Invitation Letter

6: Proof of Kinship

• The Consulate has changed to only allowing immediate family members within 3 generations to qualify for Q2.
• Aunt/uncle does not qualify.