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. For Q1/S1, in-person biometrics are additionally required, which can be completed in a single day at the PRC consulate in Chișinău.
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.
China2Day
Questions about the documents?
Free consultation on the document checklist and filling in the form. The consulate sets the requirements.
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 (make it free online: /tools/visa-photo or via ChatGPT/Gemini at /tools/ai-photo-studio)
- 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
- Residence Permit document preparation is a separate stage, and the actual filing happens in China
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10+ years of experience in China visa support and business travel. Author of 40+ articles.
All author articlesFrequently Asked Questions
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).
China2Day
Questions about the documents?
Free consultation on the document checklist and filling in the form. The consulate sets the requirements.
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