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

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

Complete the form online at cova.mfa.gov.cn, print, and sign it. Do not fill it out by hand or use a digital signature. All fields must be filled out. If not applicable, type “None” or “N/A.” After completing the form, click “Save,” and provide the application and passport numbers for review.

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

Please see: Chinese Visa Photo requirements


4: Address Verification


5: Invitation Letter from Host in China

An invitation from the family member residing in China.

The invitation letter must contain:

  1. Personal information of the applicant (name, gender, date of birth, passport number).
  2. Information on the visit (purpose of visit, date of arrival/departure, place and duration of residence, between applicant and host, financial source for expenditures).
  3. 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


8: Where You Stay From


9: First-Time Applicants with Chinese Parents

Regardless of age, first-time applicants with Chinese parents must submit the following:

• A copy of their birth certificate
• Copies of their parents’ passports
• Proof of their parents’ legal status at the time of the applicant’s birth

If these documents cannot be provided, a travel document will be issued.


10: First-Time Applicants of Asian Descent

Applicants who appear to be of Asian descent are required to submit their birth certificate and copies of their parents’ passports.


11: Current U.S. Citizens Born Abroad:

If you were born outside of the U.S. but are now a U.S. citizen, you must provide a copy of your U.S. citizenship certificate along with your former passport.


12: 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.


13: 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.