Q: I am working at Shanghai American School with a residence permit. I am seeking information on how to get my wife and child their S1 or S2 visas.

My wife is Japanese and is currently in Japan, where she will be giving birth to our daughter on Nov 27. 

To convert from an S1 visa to a residence permit, does my residence permit need to have at least six months' validity remaining? 

If we apply for an S2 visa for her, do I not need to have a specific amount of time remaining on my residence permit? 

A: If your family member is applying for a residence permit for the first time, your residence permit must have more than six months of validity remaining. This requirement applies regardless of whether the family member entered China on an S1 or S2 visa.

For the documents required for a residence permit for personal matters (family visits), please refer to Window Service Notice A026, titled "Residence permits for personal matters (family visits/other personal matters)", issued by the Exit-Entry Administration Corps of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau.

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