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S2 visa: the short-term private-visit visa for family of people studying or working in China

Unofficial entry · Sources checked

The S2 visa (S2字签证) is the visa for family members of foreigners who stay or reside in China for work, study or other purposes, when those family members apply for a short-term visit. It is also for persons who need to stay in China for other personal matters. The definition comes from Article 6(10) of the Regulations on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners (State Council Decree No. 637). For the other visa categories, see Visas and residence.

Definition

Article 6(10) of the Regulations states that the S2 visa is for family members of foreigners staying or residing in China for work, study or other purposes who apply for a short-term visit to China, as well as for persons who need to stay in China for other personal matters.

Article 36(4) defines short-term as staying in China for a period not exceeding 180 days (including 180 days).

Article 36(5) defines long-term or resident as residing in China for a period exceeding 180 days.

What the official text says

Article 6(10) and Article 7(10) of the Regulations

Article 6(10) gives the S1 visa separately. It is issued to spouses, parents, children under the age of 18 or parents-in-law of foreigners residing in China for work, study or other purposes who apply for a long-term visit.

Article 7(10) states: to apply for the S1 or S2 visa, the applicant shall, as required, submit the invitation letter provided by the foreigner staying or residing in China for work, study or other purposes and proof of family relationship, or the certification documents required for dealing with personal matters in China.

Documents listed by the UK Embassy page

The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United Kingdom, in "Part Two: How to Apply for a Visa for China (Mainland only)", lists these documents for an S2 visit to family members for a short period:

  1. An invitation letter from a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies.
  2. A photocopy of the inviter's passport and residence permit.
  3. A photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between the inviter and the invitee.

For private affairs, the same page lists these documents:

  • Medical treatment: proof of hospitalisation, or medical admission record, or invitation letter from the hospital (applicable to a family member accompanying the patient).
  • Estate inheritance: the original death certificate and relevant documents to prove the relationship between the applicant and the person who passed away.
  • Litigation matters: the original court order or tribunal hearing notice letter and other relevant legal documents.
  • Property ownership: certificate of estate ownership or sale/purchase contract of properties in China.

Documents listed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs instruction

The Visa Application Instructions of the People's Republic of China, published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on China Consular Services, list these documents for short-term family visits under S2:

  • Photocopies of the passport and residence permit of the inviting individual, who is a foreigner staying or residing in China for work or studies.
  • An invitation letter issued by the inviting individual. The letter must contain:
  • personal information of the invited person: name, gender, date of birth, etc.;
  • information about the visit: reason for coming to China, dates of arrival and departure, place of visit, relationship with the inviting individual, who will pay for the travel, etc.;
  • information of the inviting individual: name, phone number, address, signature of the inviting individual, etc.
  • A photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, kinship certification issued by the public security police station, notarized kinship certificate, etc.) showing the family relationship.

For other personal affairs, the instruction states that relevant supporting materials shall be provided as required by the consular officers.

How each document describes "family members"

Document Wording on family members
Article 6(10) of the Regulations Uses "family members of foreigners" without listing them. The list given in Article 6(10) is for the S1 visa: spouses, parents, children under the age of 18 or parents-in-law.
Embassy of the PRC in the United Kingdom, "Part Two" Defines "family members" as spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa instruction Lists spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law as the relationships to be shown by the certification.

The Chinese guide on extension

The National Immigration Administration service guide for extension, change and reissue of foreigners' visas is published in Chinese only. The English below is this site's translation of the Chinese text.

Item 9 of the guide, the S2 line, states the following. A visiting relative (探亲人员) shall submit a letter issued by the person being visited, the foreigner's residence documents, and proof or declaration of family relationship. Other persons shall submit proof related to handling private affairs or humanitarian reasons.

Item 9 also states that for visiting relatives the stay may be extended for a period not exceeding 180 days, and for other persons the stay may be extended for a period not exceeding 90 days.

Related terms

Sources

Checked 10 October 2026 for the National Immigration Administration service guide, and 11 October 2026 for the other three pages.

This entry is an unofficial summary. It is not legal or immigration advice, and it is not published by the bodies named. If the official text or the instructions of the body handling your case differ from this entry, the official text and those instructions prevail.

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