Who can apply

Those who intend to visit relatives who are Chinese citizen residing in the Chinese mainland or foreigners with permanent residence in the Chinese mainland.

How to apply

Visit the Chinese Visa Application Service Center website to fill in your application form and make an appointment for the visa application online.

Documents required

• Passport
• One Visa Application Form completed online and signed by hand
• A recently-taken within 6 months, colour passport photo
• An invitation letter provided by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit to live in China.

Click to see the checklist for applying for a Q1 visa or Q2 visa.

How to extend your visa 

If you are in Shanghai and want to extend your Q visa, you can apply to the Exit-Entry Administration of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau. 

Address: No 1500 Minsheng Road, Pudong New Area

Open: Monday to Saturday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

You can make an appointment at the website of Government Online-Offline Shanghai. 

Documents required

• The applicant's original, valid passport and visa
• A completed Visa and Residence Permit Application Form for Foreigners, and then go to the exit-entry administration of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau in person to take a free photograph
• An original and photocopy of the family relation certificate (required only for first-time applicants, unless the visited person has changed).

Click here for more information about applying for a Q-visa extension.

Service hotline

If you have issues with your visa application, call 021-12367, the service hotline of the Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration Bureau.