家庭签证(S1/S2/Q1/Q2) – 来华探亲签证全指南
本页由 Echinavisa 专业团队编写与维护,涵盖申请条件、材料清单、办理时长与费用说明,帮助您一次准备齐全、顺利获签。
哪些人该办家庭签证?
家庭签证发给来中国探望家庭亲属、处理私人事务或与直系亲属长期团聚的申请人。类别区别主要看 探亲对象身份(中国公民或在华持居留许可的外籍人士)以及 预计停留时长(≤180天为短期;>180天为长期)。
Q2 签证(短期探亲,探望中国公民)
- 常用于短期来华探望中国公民的家庭成员;可多次入境。
- 美国护照申请人通常可获 最长10年 有效期;每次停留一般 不超过180天(以签发页为准)。
- 邀请人应为中国公民,提供身份证明与亲属关系文件。
Q1 签证(长期团聚,探望中国公民)
- 用于与在华中国公民 长期居住团聚(预计停留 >180天)。
- 签证通常为 3个月单次入境,入境后须在当地公安局办理 居留许可(换领后可长期停留)。
- 邀请人提供身份证件与亲属关系证明。
S1 签证(长期团聚,探望在华外籍直系亲属)
- 探望在华持有效居留许可的 外籍直系亲属,预计停留 >180天。
- 签证为 3个月单次入境;入境后至公安局办理居留许可。
- 邀请人需提供护照及在华签证/居留许可复印件。
S2 签证(短期探亲,探望在华外籍家庭成员)
- 探望在华持有效居留许可并居住的 非中国籍 家属,短期停留。
- 有效期可为多年(取决于邀请方居留许可等因素);每次停留 最长120–180天(以签发为准)。
- 邀请人提供护照、有效中国签证/居留许可等。
核心材料清单
1)护照
- 至少 2页空白签证页;有效期建议 ≥6个月(多次/长期签建议更久)。
- 如申请 10年多次(适用于部分护照国家/地区),护照有效期越长越利于使用周期。
2)居住证明(美国境内申请示例)
- 州颁发驾驶执照 / 州ID 复印件;或
- 最近的水电账单 / 银行对账单(地址一致)。
3)签证照片
- 近 6个月内拍摄的数码照片 1 张。
- 请参考 中国签证照片要求(示例页)。
4)COVA 在线申请表
- 前往 cova.mfa.gov.cn 填写并保存申请ID。
- 按 领事管辖区 选择受理馆(示例页)。
- 先别提交——待我们审核无误后再提交,避免锁档与退回。
5)出生在中国者(如适用)
- 首次申请中国签证时,需提供 最后一本中国护照原件;如无法提供,可能被要求到馆或延长处理。
6)邀请材料
- 邀请函(手写或打印,须亲笔签名;可电邮扫描件) – 样本下载
- 邀请人身份证明:
- Q类:邀请人中国身份证(正反面)。
- S类:邀请人护照及有效中国签证/居留许可复印件。
- 亲属关系证明:首次申请 Q1/Q2/S1/S2 通常需提供(结婚证、出生证、户口簿等,视情形)。
7)未成年人
- 出生证明复印件;父母/监护人护照或身份证复印件。
8)可能按需补充
- 美国入籍证书、绿卡(非美籍)或其他曾持国籍护照。
- 雇主在职信、既往中国签证/居留记录等。
缺少个别材料并不一定影响结果——先把现有材料发给我们评估,我们会给出可行替代方案与规范模板。
办理时间与流程
- 在线提交材料用于 免费初审(不占馆位)。
- 按清单备齐并邮寄 / 线下交付(支持 邮寄受理)。
- 我们统一送签,馆内受理后常规约 4–5 个工作日出签。
- 签证签发后核对页码与停留期,安排回寄或自取。
节假日与高峰期可能顺延;是否可加急以受理馆窗口政策与名额为准。
常见问答(FAQ)
我该选 Q 还是 S?
停留期是 180 天吗?
可以多次往返吗?
入境后要不要再办理?
免责声明:以上为通用指引,不构成法律意见;实际要求以中国驻外使领馆及国家移民管理部门最新规定为准。
Family Visa (S1/S2/Q1/Q2) – Complete Guide
Prepared by the Echinavisa team. This page covers categories, requirements, timelines, fees, and tips to help you apply right the first time.
Who should apply for a family visa?
Family visas are issued to those visiting relatives in China or for private affairs. Choose a category based on who you visit (a Chinese citizen or a foreign national with a valid residence permit in China) and your intended stay (≤180 days for short-term; >180 days for long-term).
Q2 – Short-term visit, visiting Chinese citizens
- For short-term family visits to Chinese citizens; multiple entries possible.
- U.S. passport holders often receive up to 10-year validity; max stay per entry usually up to 180 days (as printed on the visa).
- Inviter must be a Chinese citizen; provide ID and relationship proof.
Q1 – Long-term reunion with Chinese citizens
- For long-term family reunion (>180 days) with Chinese citizens in China.
- Typically single-entry, valid 3 months; convert to a residence permit at the local exit-entry bureau after arrival.
- Provide inviter’s Chinese ID and relationship proof.
S1 – Long-term reunion with foreign nationals in China
- For visiting foreign national immediate family holding a valid residence permit in China; stay >180 days.
- Usually single-entry, valid 3 months; convert to residence permit after arrival.
- Provide inviter’s passport and valid Chinese visa/residence.
S2 – Short-term visit to foreign family members in China
- For short-term visits to non-Chinese family members residing in China with a residence permit.
- Validity can be multi-year depending on the inviter’s status; max stay per entry usually 120–180 days.
- Provide inviter’s passport and valid visa/residence.
Checklist
1) Passport
- At least two blank visa pages; longer validity recommended for multi-entry/long-term scenarios.
2) Proof of U.S. residence (example)
- State DL/ID copy, or utility/bank statement (recent, matching address).
3) Visa photo
- One digital photo taken within 6 months. See photo specs.
4) COVA online form
- Complete at cova.mfa.gov.cn and save your application ID.
- Select the correct consular jurisdiction; see guide.
- Do not submit until we’ve reviewed for accuracy.
5) Born in China (if applicable)
- First-time applicants typically provide the most recent Chinese passport original, or follow consulate instructions.
6) Invitation set
- Invitation letter (handwritten/typed, signed; scanned copy accepted) – download sample
- Inviter ID: Chinese ID (Q) or passport + valid visa/residence (S).
- Proof of relationship for first-time Q1/Q2/S1/S2 as applicable.
7) Minors
- Birth certificate copy; parents/guardian passport/ID copies.
8) Case-by-case
- U.S. naturalization cert, green card (non-U.S. citizens), prior nationality passports, prior China visas/residence records, employer letter, etc.
Missing items? Send what you have—we’ll propose alternatives and compliant templates.
Processing & Steps
- Submit for a free prescreen (no consular slot used).
- Prepare per checklist and mail/drop off (mail-in supported).
- We lodge your case; once accepted, standard release in ~4–5 biz days.
- Verify visa entries/stay; arrange return shipping or pickup.
Holidays/peaks may extend timelines. Expedite depends on consular capacity and policy.
FAQ
Should I pick Q or S?
Is the stay always 180 days?
Can I get multiple entries?
Do I need to convert after entry?
Disclaimer: General guidance only. Follow the latest rules from PRC embassies/consulates and the National Immigration Administration.