Q: I am a Brazilian citizen currently residing and studying in Shanghai. I am married to a Colombian citizen. We got married in Brazil, and he works in China and holds a valid residence permit for work.

I entered China on an X1 study visa and currently hold a one-year residence permit for study. I would now like to switch from a residence permit for study to a residence permit for personal matters based on my family relationship with my husband.

I would like to know the requirements and documents needed for this application.

Could you please clarify the following points:

• Is a Brazilian marriage certificate with a Hague Apostille sufficient as the original family relationship document?
• Since the marriage certificate is in Portuguese, must the Chinese translation be completed by a qualified translation agency in China?
• Do I need to cancel my current residence permit for study before applying for the new residence permit for personal matters?

A: Please refer to the following information:

1. Marriage certificate and apostille requirements:

A marriage certificate with an Apostille is acceptable as the original family relationship document.

2. Chinese translation:

The Chinese translation must be provided by a qualified translation institution in China.

3. Required application documents:

If your husband holds a Shanghai residence permit, please refer to Window Service Notice A031 on change of residence permit information and Window Service Notice A026 on residence permits for personal matters (family visits/other personal matters) for the required documents.

You do not need to cancel your current residence permit separately before applying. If your reason for residence changes, you should apply to change your residence permit within 10 days of the change.

If you cannot prepare all the required documents for a residence permit for personal matters within 10 days, you must first apply for a stay permit by presenting a certificate from your school confirming your withdrawal from the program.

Source: Exit-Entry Administration Corps of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau