For Q2 (short-term up to 180 days) an apostille is generally not required. For Q1 (long-term) an apostille on Ukrainian documents (marriage or birth certificate) is required in 99% of cases.
Chinese Family Visa (Q and S) Documents — Complete List 2026
Chinese family visas split into Q (for relatives of PRC citizens) and S (for relatives of foreigners with permanent residence in China). Each has two versions: Q1/S1 — long-term (180+ days), requiring biometrics and apostille; Q2/S2 — short-term (up to 180 days), no biometrics or apostille. Turnkey price — $270 for all types. For Q1/S1, the '1 Day in Chișinău' scheme is added for biometrics submission.
Q or S — How to Choose Correctly
The visa type (Q or S) depends on who is inviting you, not on your family relationship:
- Q visa — if invited by a PRC citizen (Chinese passport + ID card)
- S visa — if invited by a foreigner with permanent residence in China (Residence Permit in passport)
- Direct relatives (spouse, children, parents) — standard case
- Brothers/sisters, grandparents, aunt/uncle — possible through a chain of certificates, non-standard situation
Q1 vs Q2 (and S1 vs S2) — Which to Choose
The choice between short-term and long-term depends on duration and purpose:
- Q2/S2 (short-term, up to 180 days): no biometrics, no apostille, no conversion in China. For: a mother visiting her daughter for 3 months; a father visiting his son for 4 months.
- Q1/S1 (long-term, 180+ days): biometrics required (1 day in Chișinău), apostille on Ukrainian documents, conversion to Residence Permit in China within 30 days of arrival. For: a woman moving to her Chinese husband; a wife moving to her foreign husband with permanent residence in China.
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Basic Documents from the Client
Three mandatory items for all types of family visas:
- Passport (original) — valid 6+ months, 2 adjacent blank pages
- Digital photo — white background, no glasses, colored or dark top
- Completed China2Day questionnaire — 10–15 minutes to fill out
Additional Documents Depending on the Situation
Three typical scenarios and corresponding documents:
- Scenario 1 — Ukrainian woman moving to her Chinese husband (Q1): if the marriage was registered in China — the Chinese marriage document (no apostille needed). If in Ukraine — marriage certificate with apostille is mandatory.
- Scenario 2 — Mother visiting her daughter (Q2): invitation from the daughter + copy of her Chinese passport or ID card + chain of birth certificates confirming the relationship.
- Scenario 3 — Wife moving to her foreign husband with permanent residence in China (S1): invitation from the husband + copy of his Residence Permit + marriage certificate (apostille if registered in Ukraine).
- For all long-term (Q1/S1) — invitation from a relative with proof of family connection: notarized translation of certificates + apostille in 99% of cases.
What Happens After Entry (for Q1/S1)
Holders of Q1 and S1 must register at the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau within 30 days of entry:
- Registration at the local Exit-Entry Bureau to obtain a Residence Permit (plastic card valid 1–5 years)
- Without this card you may not remain in China longer than 180 days
- Residence Permit application includes a medical examination at a certified center in China
- China2Day advises on Residence Permit document preparation, but the actual filing happens in China
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No. China only recognizes official family ties: registered marriage and direct relatives. Civil partnerships are not recognized. Alternatives include X or M visas on other grounds.
No. A PU Letter (government invitation) is not required for family Q/S visas. A personal invitation from a relative is needed — not a PU Letter.
Q2/S2 — 7–10 business days from shipping the original passport. Q1/S1 — slightly longer (trip to Chișinău + standard processing).