Who can apply

The Q visa is issued to persons who intend to enter China for family reunion or a short-term family visit with Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with permanent residence status in China, as well as to persons applying to enter and reside in China for foster care or similar reasons.

Q1 Visa (for intended stay of more than 180 days) 

• Family members of Chinese citizens applying for residence in China for family reunion 
• Family members of foreigners with permanent residence status in China who are applying for residence in China for a family reunion 
• For Q1 family reunion purposes, family members include spouses, parents, children, children's spouses, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, and parents-in-law
• Persons applying to enter and reside in China for foster care or similar reasons

Note: Q1 visa holders must apply for a residence permit at exit-entry authorities within 30 days after entry into China.

Q2 Visa (for intended stay of no more than 180 days) 

• Relatives of Chinese citizens living in China applying for a visa for a visit lasting no more than 180 days 
• Relatives of foreigners with permanent residence status in China applying for a visa for a visit lasting no more than 180 days

How to apply

Follow the requirements of the Chinese embassy or consulate in the place where you are applying, complete the visa application form online, and submit the required application materials.

Documents required

Requirements vary by jurisdiction. Check the "Guidance on Visa Application" section of the China Online Visa Application or the website of the Chinese embassy or consulate handling your application. Basic application materials include the applicant's passport and photograph, proof of legal stay or residence where applicable, and a previous Chinese passport or Chinese visa where applicable. 

For a Q1 visa for family reunion, applicants must provide an invitation letter; a copy of the inviter's Chinese ID, or the foreign inviter's passport and permanent residence permit; and the original and a copy of proof of the qualifying family relationship.

For a Q1 visa involving foster care, applicants must provide a notarized or authenticated foster-care authorization; the entrusting person's passport and proof of relationship with the child; a letter of consent from the foster-care provider and a copy of the provider's ID; and, where either or both parents of the child are Chinese citizens, proof that the Chinese parent or parents were settled abroad when the child was born.

For a Q2 visa, applicants must provide an invitation letter and a copy of the inviter's Chinese ID, or the foreign inviter's passport and permanent residence permit.

Click here for more details on required materials.

Visa extension, replacement, and reissuance

If you want to have your visa extended, replaced, or reissued after entering China, you can submit your application to the Exit-Entry Administration Corps of Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau or an exit-entry administration office of a district branch of the bureau.  

Related: Shanghai exit-entry bureau locations, business hours

Check more details about having your visa extended, replaced, or reissued on the website of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau.

Service hotline

If you have questions about immigration or visa services in Shanghai, please call +86-21-12367.

Updated Aug 10, 2026

Sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chinese Visa Application Service Center, Exit-Entry Administration Corps of Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau