Q is for relatives of Chinese citizens. S is for relatives of foreigners holding a residence permit in China. Digit 1 (Q1/S1) = long-term (>180 days), digit 2 (Q2/S2) = short-term (<180 days).
Q/S-VISA TYPE: FAMILY VISA
China Family Visa for Ukrainians in 2026
Seamless family reunions in China. Meticulous Q and S visa assistance.
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About the Visa
What is a Family Visa to China
The Chinese Family Visa (Type Q or S) is for family reunion and relative visits. Type Q is for relatives of Chinese citizens; Type S is for relatives of foreigners holding a residence permit in China. Long-term versions (Q1/S1) are for stays exceeding 180 days and convert to a family residence permit within 30 days of arrival (biometrics required). Short-term versions (Q2/S2) cover visits up to 180 days per entry (remote submission via Moldova is possible). The Chinese host prepares the invitation — we verify the package and manage the apostille.
Key requirements
- Valid international passport (minimum 6 months, 2 blank pages)
- Digital biometric photo (3.5×4.5 cm) on a white background
- Completed China2Day internal questionnaire
- Invitation and documents from your relative in China (host prepares, we verify)
Eligibility
Who is this visa for
This type of visa permit is ideally suited for the following categories of applicants:
Spouses of Chinese citizens
Spouses of foreign residence-permit holders in China
Parents visiting adult children in China
Parents of foreign students studying in China
Adult children visiting their parents in China
Family stays longer than 30 days (for shorter trips — tourist L visa)
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FAMILY VISA?
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Overview
Questions and Answers
What is a Chinese family visa?
Q (relatives of Chinese citizens) and S (relatives of foreigners with residence permit) visas for family reunion. Q1/S1 — long-term (>180 days), Q2/S2 — short-term (<180 days).
How much does it cost?
The consular (government) fee is set by the PRC embassy; assistance is the same for all types (Q1/Q2/S1/S2). Current fees available on request.
Are biometrics required?
Mandatory for Q1/S1. Not required for Q2/S2 — remote submission via Chișinău is possible.
What about apostille?
Mandatory on the relationship document for Q1/S1. China is in the Hague Convention; no additional legalization required.
What is the '1 day in Chișinău' scheme?
For Q1/S1 (biometrics required), you visit Moldova for 1 day, submit biometrics, return home on a second passport. We deliver the finished passport to you.
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Try itCost & fees
What a visa costs
The total cost is the official consular fee — which the embassy sets and is the same for everyone — plus your own trip costs. The cost of any assistance, if you need it, is agreed individually on request.
Q2 — turnkey (no presence)
Official feeset by the embassy
The estimated official consular fee, paid to the embassy yourself.
- Processing: 10–14 days
- Official fee, you pay it yourself
- Full documents checklist below
Best choice
S2 — turnkey (no presence)
Official feeset by the embassy
The estimated official consular fee, paid to the embassy yourself.
- Processing: 10–14 days
- Official fee, you pay it yourself
- Full documents checklist below
Q1 / S1 — '1 day in Chișinău' scheme
Official feeset by the embassy
The estimated official consular fee, paid to the embassy yourself.
- Processing: 14–18 days
- Official fee, you pay it yourself
- Full documents checklist below
The consular fee is an official payment you make to the embassy yourself. The exact amount depends on the number of entries and nationality; verify the current rate officially.
Verify officiallyStandard processing
10–14 days (Q2/S2 remote) · 14–18 days (Q1/S1 via '1 day in Chișinău' scheme)
Expedited review
7–10 days (express)
Processing times and the final visa decision rest with the consulate. We explain the requirements and help prepare your documents; the consulate decides.
Requirements
Required documents
We simplify document preparation to the minimum. Requirements are structured in two groups.
Q
Q visa — relatives of Chinese citizens
Mandatory documents
- International passport (original)
- Digital photo 33×48 mm (official; 3.5×4.5 cm also accepted)
- Completed China2Day internal questionnaire
Need the photo? Make it free of charge online to COVA standards or with ChatGPT / Gemini.
Supporting documentation
- Host invitation letter in the required format (host prepares)
- Copy of the host's Chinese ID card
- Relationship certificate — marriage certificate (spouses) or birth certificate (parents/children)
- Copy of the host's Chinese registration (hukou) — recommended, otherwise the consulate may question the applicant's address
- For Q1/S1 the apostille on Ukrainian certificates is mandatory (99% of cases); not needed for Q2/S2 or documents issued in China
- Previous Chinese visas
S
S visa — relatives of foreigners in China
Mandatory documents
- International passport (original)
- Digital photo 33×48 mm (official; 3.5×4.5 cm also accepted)
- Completed China2Day internal questionnaire
Need the photo? Make it free of charge online to COVA standards or with ChatGPT / Gemini.
Supporting documentation
- Host invitation letter in the required format (host prepares)
- Copy of the foreign host's passport with the pasted Residence Permit
- Relationship certificate — marriage certificate (spouses) or birth certificate (parents/children)
- For Q1/S1 the apostille on Ukrainian certificates is mandatory (99% of cases); not needed for Q2/S2 or documents issued in China
- Previous Chinese visas
Questions about the documents?
Message us — we'll explain the requirements, help you check your documents and outline the next steps. The consulate makes the visa decision. Reply within 30 minutes.
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Visa sub-types & validity parameters
Category 01
Q1 (long-term — relatives of Chinese citizens)
Stay over 180 days. Entry visa for conversion to a family residence permit within 30 days of arrival. Biometrics required.
Category 02
Q2 (short-term — relatives of Chinese citizens)
Stay up to 180 days per entry. Usually single (90%+ of cases). Remote submission via Chișinău is possible.
Category 03
S1 (long-term — relatives of foreigners in China)
For spouses/children of foreign residence-permit holders, long-term stays. Entry visa for residence permit conversion. Biometrics required.
Category 04
S2 (short-term — relatives of foreigners in China)
Short visits to foreign relatives in China, up to 180 days. Remote submission possible.
IMPORTANT RULE: HONG KONG & MACAU VOID SINGLE-ENTRY VISAS
Please remember that exiting mainland China into Hong Kong or Macau is legally treated as crossing an international border. If you hold a Single visa, exiting to Hong Kong immediately voids it, preventing you from returning to the mainland. For trips that involve transits or side-visits to Hong Kong/Macau with a return to the mainland, you will need a Double or Multi visa.
Who We Serve
Tailored Solutions for Every Purpose
We understand the nuances of every journey and adapt our concierge preparation to your exact needs.
Spouses & close relatives
Wives, husbands and children of Chinese citizens or residence-permit holders reuniting with family.
Parents & elderly relatives
Parents visiting for extended stays with children who study or work in China.
Expat families
Family members of foreigners working or studying in China on a work or student visa (category S).
Comparison
On your own or with guidance
A comparison of two paths: travelling yourself to submit documents in person (for example, to Warsaw) versus preparing with our informational support. Either way, the consulate makes the visa decision.
| Comparison factors | With China2day guidance | Self-submission (Warsaw) |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Cost | Official consular fee + optional assistance (quoted on request) | From Ukraine (if permitted to travel): Travel, hotel and consular fees From EU (Spain, Germany, Italy, etc.): Local consular fees |
| Time Invested | Online form, no travel to submit | Travel, queues, several days |
| Logistics | We explain the requirements and help check documents | Getting there (train, bus, car), bookings, in-person queue |
| Document preparation | Documents reviewed by experienced specialists before submission | You check them yourself; errors surface at submission |
Preparation
6 common visa refusal reasons and how to prepare
Cause 01
The consulate issues the wrong visa type due to wording in the invitation
How to prepare
We check the invitation before submission, point out errors to the client/Chinese partner, and recommend edits based on real cases
Cause 02
The invitation was obtained from unverified intermediaries on Telegram or other unofficial sources
How to prepare
We work only with licensed Chinese companies and verified partners who bear legal responsibility for the invitation
Cause 03
Mismatch of dates, routes, or personal data between the COVA form and the invitation
How to prepare
We carry out a multi-level check of all documents before submission to rule out any discrepancies
Cause 04
The route includes Hong Kong or Macao during a trip on a single-entry visa
How to prepare
We analyze the route in advance and recommend the correct visa type or an adjustment to the travel plan
Cause 05
The photo does not meet the consulate's technical requirements (poor background, clothing, lighting, or file format)
How to prepare
We provide detailed photo instructions and check the image before submitting documents
Cause 06
Submitting documents less than a week before departure, with no time reserve for processing and logistics
How to prepare
We recommend submitting documents at least 3 weeks before the trip and warn about risks and timelines at the consultation stage
Workflow
Step-by-step application workflow
1
Consultation and type selection
We map the relationship, the host's status in China (PRC citizen → Q; foreign residence-permit holder → S), and the planned stay length (>180 days → Q1/S1, <180 → Q2/S2).
2
Coordination with the Chinese host
The host in China prepares the invitation letter and sends scans (passport, residence permit if S). We verify the format and flag corrections.
3
Relationship document apostille
For Q1/S1 the apostille is mandatory. We help apostille the marriage or birth certificate and confirm it is on the correct document.
4
Electronic submission (Stage 1)
We help complete the COVA form and prepare your documents for the consulate portal. Online review takes 2–5 business days.
5
Q2/S2 remote stamping · Q1/S1 '1 day in Chișinău'
For Q2/S2 you ship the passport via Nova Poshta, and it is submitted to the consulate. For Q1/S1 you fly in for 1 day, submit biometrics, return home on your second passport. We send the finished passport back to Ukraine.
Common DIY application mistakes
Avoiding these critical paperwork issues helps prevent delays in the consular review:
- Submitting Q1/S1 without an apostille on the relationship certificate
- Apostille placed on the wrong document — not on the link to the Chinese-side relative
- Expecting Q1 to be a simple long-stay visa instead of an entry permit that converts to residence permit within 30 days
- Applying for Q1/S1 from another country expecting biometrics from a non-Moldovan consulate to count — each consulate keeps its own biometric record
- Asking for a multi-entry family visa — multi-entry Q/S does not exist; multi-entry is achieved via residence permit
- Underestimating apostille time — plan 4+ weeks for complex relationship cases
Knowledge Base
Frequently Asked Questions
Mandatory on the relationship document for Q1/S1; on demand for Q2/S2. China is in the Hague Convention, so the apostille alone is sufficient — additional legalization is not required.
The apostille goes on the document linking the applicant to the person with legal status in China. Example: a Ukrainian husband's mother visiting a Chinese-citizen daughter-in-law — apostille on the son's birth certificate (the relationship chain reaches the Chinese side).
The consular (government) fee is set by the PRC embassy. Assistance is the same for all types (Q1/Q2/S1/S2). Current fees available on request.
For Q1/S1 — yes (long-term visas with residence permit conversion). For Q2/S2 — no; remote submission via Chișinău is possible.
For Q1/S1 personal presence is mandatory, but only for biometrics submission. You arrive in Chișinău for 1 day, submit fingerprints, hand us the passport, and return home on a second passport. We courier the finished passport to you. Real time in Moldova: 1 day.
Two valid international passports. One stays with us in Chișinău for visa stamping; you return home on the other. This is our operational scheme for client convenience, not a consulate requirement.
Q2/S2 — up to 180 days per entry. Q1/S1 — entry visa for residence permit conversion within 30 days, after which you live in China unrestricted under the residence permit.
No. Family visas do not permit employment. A Z work visa is required for that.
Up to 30 days visiting relatives — tourist L is simpler. Over 30 days or long-term with minor children — family Q2/S2.
Staying with relatives — you personally go to the police on day one. Staying in a hotel — the hotel registers you. Especially critical for family visas.
Include the first page of the old passport. If the passport was replaced at the Ukrainian consulate in China, attach a separate replacement certificate from that consulate.
Voice Search
The Chinese Family Visas Q1/Q2/S1/S2 are for family reunion with relatives in China. Q2/S2 (short stays up to 180 days) are submitted remotely through the consulate in Chișinău. Q1/S1 (long stays over 180 days) use the '1 day in Chișinău + 2 passports' scheme — you fly in for one day to submit biometrics and return home on a second passport. Q1/S1 require an apostille on the relationship document. Processing time depends on the consulate.
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