China Q1 Visa (Chinese Family Reunion) Application

What is a China Q1 Visa (Chinese Family Reunion) ?

Q1 Visa is issued to those who are family members of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and intend to go to China for family reunion, or to those who intend to go to China for the purpose of foster care. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.

"Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.

Basic Documents:

1. Passport
   
   Original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and blank visa pages, and a photocopy of the passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate.
2. Visa Application Form and Photo
   
   One completed and signed COVA form and confirmation page. If photo uploading was failed during filling COVA form, please attach a passport photo.
3. 18岁以下申请者请注意： 无论是否是第一次申请中国签证，必须提交出生纸的复印件，父母护照及绿卡的复印件；如果曾有签证， 请提供复印件。
   
   If the applicant is under age 18， please provide photocopy of the kid's Birth Certificate and photocopy of parents passport(and green card). If the application had China visa before, please provide a photocopy of previous China visa.
4. Proof of legal stay or residence status (applicable to those not applying for the visa in their country of citizenship)
   
   If you are not applying for the visa in the country of your citizenship, you must provide the original and photocopy of your valid visa of stay, residence, employment or student status of the country where you are currently staying.
5. 出生在中国大陆的华人请注意：第一次申请中国签证必须提交中国护照原件和照片页的复印件； 如果中国护照上的名字与外籍护照上名字不一致， 请提供改名文件。
   
   出生在香港，澳门和台湾地区的华人请注意：第一次申请中国签证必须提交一份中文姓名的正式文件复印件：如香港护照，台湾护照或出生公证。
   
   Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas (applicable to those who were Chinese citizens and have obtained foreign citizenship)
   
   If you are applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, you should provide your previous Chinese passport and a photocopy of its data page.
   
   If you have obtained Chinese visas before and want to apply for a Chinese visa with a renewed foreign passport that does not contain any Chinese visa, you should present the photocopy of the previous passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate, as well as the previous Chinese visa page. (If your name on the current passport differs from that on the previous one, you must provide an official document of name change.)

Supporting Documents:

For family reunion, the following documents are required:

(1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China. The invitation letter should contain:

1. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
2. Information on the visit ( purpose of visit, intended arrival date, place(s) of intended residence, intended duration of residence, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures)
3. Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of legal representative or the inviting individual, etc.)

(2) Photocopy of Chinese Resident ID of the inviting individual or foreign passport and permanent residence permit.

Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between applicant and inviting individual.

"Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.

Here's a sample invitation letter.

For foster care, the following documents are required:

1. Foster entrustment notarization issued by Chinese Embassies/Consulates General in foreign countries or Foster Care Power of Attorney notarized and authenticated in the country of residence or in China.
2. Original and photocopy of the consignor's passport(s), as well as the original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship between parents and children.
3. A letter of consent on foster care issued by the trustee living in China who has agreed to provide foster care services and a photocopy of the ID of the trustee.
4. A photocopy of the certificate indicating the permanent residence status abroad of the parent(s) when the child was born, provided that either or both parents of the child are Chinese citizens.

Special Reminder

1. Holders of Q1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.
2. The invitation letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or computer printout, but the consular officer may require the applicant to submit the original of the invitation letter.
3. If necessary, the consular officer may require the applicant to provide other documents or supplementary materials, or require an interview with the applicant.
4. The consular officer will decide on whether or not to issue the visa and on its validity, duration of stay and number of entries in light of specific conditions of the applicant.
5. If you are a U.S.-born child with one or two Chinese parents, and apply for a Chinese visa for the first time, please read Documentations Required for U.S.-Born Children with Chinese Descent.

Need other China Visa ?

• China L Visa (Tourist)
• China F Visa (Culture Exchange)
• China M Visa (Commercial Trade)
• China Q2 Visa (Chinese Family Visit)
• China R Visa (High-level Talent)
• China S1 Visa (Other Family Reunion)
• China S2 Visa (Other Family Visit)
• China X1/X2 Visa (Study)
• China Z Visa (Work)