If you've set up a WFOE and gotten your own Z-visa and residence permit, the next question is usually about family: can your spouse or kids actually come live with you? The answer is yes — but the visa category that gets confused most often is the wrong one.
S1/S2, not Q1/Q2 — here's the distinction that trips people up
Most general guides to China's "family visa" describe Q1/Q2, which is for family members of a Chinese citizen or a foreign permanent resident (green card) in China. If you're neither of those — if you're a foreigner who got your residence permit through a WFOE-sponsored Z-visa or a student X1 visa — your spouse or parent cannot be hosted under Q. That situation specifically requires S1 or S2.
| Category | Who Can Host | Who Joins |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 / Q2 | Chinese citizen, or foreign permanent resident (green card) | Spouse, parent, child, other close relative |
| S1 / S2 | Foreigner holding a valid Chinese work or study residence permit | Spouse, parents, children, children's spouses, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, parents-in-law |
S1 vs S2: how long you're staying decides which one
- S1 — for stays longer than 180 days. This is the one that leads to actually living in China with you.
- S2 — for shorter visits of up to 180 days. Simpler, faster, no residence permit conversion needed.
What the S1 process actually looks like
The S1 visa itself is a single-entry visa, valid 3 months for entering China. It is not, on its own, the long-term authorization to live in China — that comes next.
Within 30 days of arrival, the S1 holder must apply for a Residence Permit at the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) Exit-Entry Administration. Once issued, this residence permit can run for up to 5 years and allows multiple entries and exits — but skipping this step means the visitor is only authorized for the original 3-month entry window.
Address registration with the local police station is required within 24 hours of arrival — hotels handle this automatically, but if staying in a private residence, the host or landlord needs to register it.
What you'll need to file
- Applicant's passport, valid 6+ months, with blank visa pages
- Completed application via the China Online Visa Application (COVA) system (relaunched September 30, 2025)
- Invitation letter from the family member in China, including their name, current China address, contact details, and the specific relationship
- Copy of the inviting family member's Chinese residence permit and passport
- Notarized proof of the family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc., depending on relationship)
Related Reading
China visa types for foreigners — the full guide to all four residence pathways.
Starting a business in China (WFOE guide) — the visa this family reunion category builds on.
How to open a bank account in China.
Building a life in China with your family?
We can walk you through your WFOE visa and your family's S1/S2 pathway together.
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