M/F 

Visa

Issued to those who 

visit China for

economy, trade, 

science, technology

and other activities.

Invitation letter issued by the central 

and state organs, central enterprises, foreign affairs and commercial departments of provincial governments, and foreign 

affairs departments of municipal

governments

Z Visa

Issued to those 

who intend to work in China.

Effective“Notification Letter of 

Foreigner's Work Permit” or existing 

original “Foreigner's Work Permit”

S1/S2 Visa

Issued to spouse, 

parents, children

under the age of 18, 

parents of the spouse of the holders of Z/M/F visa or work 

residence permit.  

① Original certification (marriage 

certificate, birth certificate, certification 

of kinship or notarized certification of 

kinship) showing the relationship of 

immediate family members between

applicants and inviting individual.

② An invitation letter from the inviting

individual (a foreigner who stays or

resides in China for work).

③ A photocopy of the inviting 

individual's passport and Chinese residence permit/Z/M/F visa.

*If an adult child and his/her spouse 

apply for a Family Visit (S2) visa, in addition to the above documents, they must 

submit the appropriate statement of 

circumstances as required by the 

consular officials.

Q1/Q2 Visa

Issued to foreign family members of Chinese citizens or foreign family members of foreigners with permanent residence status in China.

*"family members" refers to spouses, parents, parents-in-law, children, spouses of children, brothers and sisters, grandparents and grandchildren.

① Certification (marriage certificate, 

birth certificate, household register, 

certification of kinship issued by Public 

Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of 

family members between applicant and

 inviting individual.

② An invitation letter issued by a 

Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit 

who lives in China.

③ Proof of the inviting individual's 

Chinese identity (e.g. Chinese ID card, 

household register), or foreigner's 

passport and Chinese permanent 

residence permit.

S2 Visa

(For humanitarian reasons)

Issued to family 

members going to 

China for funerals or 

to visit critically ill 

patients.

*"family members" 

refers to spouses, 

parents, parents-in-

law, children, spouses of children, brothers 

and sisters, grandparents and grandchildren.

① Death certificate or critical illness 

notice, etc.;

②Proof of kinship between the applicant and the deceased or the patient;

③ The ID certificate of the deceased or 

the patient.

R Visa

Issued to those who are high-level talents or whose skills are urgently needed in China.

“Confirmation Letter for High Level Foreign Talents”

*Spouses and children under the age of 18 submit proof of relationship (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate) to apply for an S2 visa.

C Visa

Crew Visa

Guarantee letters issued by the foreign 

airlines or shipping companies, or 

invitation letters issued by the relevant

organizations in China.