Chinese Short Term Private (S2) Visa Application Requirements

Chinese Short Term Private (S2) visa required for those who are traveling to China to visit immediate family members who are foreigners working or studying in China. S2 visa usually allow you to stay in China for up to 90 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. 10 years visa is not guaranteed. Chinese Consulate may issue you a visa with limited entry, shorter duration and validity at their discretion. The requirements for Short Term Private (S2) 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.

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).

Please see: Sample invitation letter

6: Identification of Host in China

A photocopy of the host’s passport and photocopy of host’s Chinese permanent residence permit are required.

Sample of Chinese Permanent Residence Permit:

7: Proof of Kinship

• Photocopy of document proving the family relationship between the applicant and inviting individual. This can be a marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certificate of kinship.