Chinese Short Term Private (S2) Visa Application Requirements

Chinese Short Term Private (S2) visa required for those who are traveling to China to visit immediate family members who are foreigners working or studying in China. S2 visa usually allow you to stay in China for up to 90 days per visit and allow multiple entries for a term up to 10 years for US and Canadian passport holders. Passport holders from other countries will usually be issued single valid for 3 months or double entry valid for 6 months. 10 years visa is not guaranteed. Chinese Consulate may issue you a visa with limited entry, shorter duration and validity at their discretion. The requirements for Short Term Private (S2) visa are detailed below.

Do not staple any of the documents together. The Consulate will reject all stapled applications. Paperclips may be used.

1: Original Passport Plus a Photocopy of the Name Page

Please include the original passport. The visa will be printed on your passport.
It is recommended that passports have at least 6 months left before expiration.
The passport should have at least 2 blank visa pages. Please keep in mind, this does not include the last 3 pages, as those are reserved by the US Department of State.
If you have previously held a Chinese Visa, please provide a photocopy of previous Chinese visa.
If previous Chinese visa is on an old passport, photocopy of old passport is required.
If you have a VALID Chinese visa on an old passport and would like to apply for a new visa, you will need to submit both old and current original passports.
Non-US passport holders must provide a photocopy of their proof of legal stay in the US. Green card, full copy off I-20 or long term US visa such as: L, H, F, TN. B1/B2 visa will not be eligible. Please do not send original unless the Chinese Consulate specifically request it.

Certain Non-US passport holders cannot apply for a visa through third parties or are blocked entry to China: we recommend to send an email inquiry or wait for Consulate announcements.

2: Your Visa Application Form

Proceed to cova.mfa.gov.cn

Complete the application online, print it out, and sign it. Do not fill out this application by hand. Do not use digital signatures. All fields must be completed. If a section does not apply to you, type in “None” or “N/A.” Once the form is completed, do not click on continue. Click on Save and provide us with the application number and passport number.

Your application form must be reviewed by us before you submit online. You will not be able to make changes after submitting.

3: One Recent Passport Photo

The photo needs to contain your full face on a white background.
The photo cannot be older than 6 months.
Your local drugstore (such as Walgreens or CVS) are great places to get a passport photo taken.
Please attach the photo to the application with a paperclip. Do not staple.

Please see: Chinese Visa Photo requirements

4: Address Verification

Photocopy of driver’s license or state ID
If you do not have either of the above, you may submit a utility bill

5: Invitation Letter from Host in China

An invitation from the family member residing in China.

The invitation letter must contain:

Personal information of the applicant (name, gender, date of birth, passport number).
Information on the visit (purpose of visit, date of arrival/departure, place and duration of residence, between applicant and host, financial source for expenditures).
Information of the host (name, phone number, address, and signature).

Please see: Sample invitation letter

6: Identification of Host in China

A photocopy of the host’s passport and photocopy of host’s Chinese permanent residence permit are required.

Sample of Chinese Permanent Residence Permit:

7: Proof of Kinship

Photocopy of document proving the family relationship between the applicant and inviting individual. This can
be a marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certificate of kinship.

8: Where You Stay From

Print and complete the Where You Stay Form: Click Here
It must be completed and signed by hand. No digital signatures allowed.

9: Payment

Basic Visa Package or Express Visa Package (Suspended)

You have the option to include your own prepaid label with your application or purchase from our website. Please see Shipping.

10: Additional Requirements For Each Consulate

Main requirements for Chinese visa are usually the same across the Chinese Consulates, however, there are some certain requirements for each Chinese Consulate. Please visit Additional Requirements Based on Jurisdiction to see if any of the listed rules apply to you.

11: Special Requirements for Minors

If the applicant is under the age of 18, a copy of the birth certificate and both parents’ passports name page is required.
One of the parents must sign the form using the parent’s name in section 4 and 5.
A notarized letter of consent may be required for minor applicants if the parents is not also applying for a visa.

Remarks:

Please include a copy of order confirmation email with your application.
If you need to ship back to an international address, please call or email us for quote.