(S1) Family member of foreigner(s) staying or residing in China or person who needs to come to China for personal matters (more than 180 days)

1. Basic Documents

(1) Passport

Original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and blank visa pages, and a photocopy of the passport's information page (and the photo page if it is separate). The validity plus the duration of stay of the Chinese visa shall not exceed the validity of the passport.

(2) Visa Application Form

Please complete the online Visa Application Form of the People’s Republic of China.

(3) Photograph

One recent, clear, front-facing passport photo with a white background.

(4) Proof of legal stay or residence status (applicable to non-Swedish applicants)

If you are not applying for the visa in the country of your citizenship, you must provide proof of legal stay, residence, work, study, or a valid visa for the country where you apply.

(5) Previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas (applicable to foreign citizens who were Chinese citizens and have obtained foreign citizenship)

First-time applicants for a Chinese visa must provide the original Chinese passport and a copy of the passport information page.

If previously issued a Chinese visa and applying with a new foreign passport, please provide:

a. the old foreign passport information page copy;

b. copies of previous Chinese visas.

In case the name on the current passport differs from that on the previous one, an official document of name change is required.　

2. Supporting Documents (photocopy can be used if it is not indicated that the original must be provided)

(1) The inviting individual's (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) passport and residence permit.

(2) An invitation letter from the inviting individual which contains:

a) Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.)

b) Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place of intended residence, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.)

c) Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, signature, etc.)

(3) Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of immediate family members between applicants and inviting individual.

"immediate family members " refers to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18, parents-in-law.

We kindly remind you that:　

Holders of S1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under local people's governments at or above the county level in the proposed places of residence for foreigners' residence permits.

3. Application Procedure 

(1) Applicants need to complete the online application form and submit their application in advance through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center. After the online review is approved, applicants may visit the visa center at their convenience (no prior appointment required) to submit their passport and other application materials. Depending on the visa category, applicants may also be required to provide biometric information.

(2) For diplomatic, official, and courtesy visas, after submitting the application online, please contact to the Chinese Embassy in Sweden or the Chinese Consulate-General in Gothenburg for processing. For all other visa types, applicants should apply through the Stockholm or Gothenburg Chinese Visa Application Service Centers.

4. Important Reminder

(1) Consular officers may require the applicant to provide other proof documents or supplementary materials, or require an interview with the applicant depending on the case. Processing time may be extended accordingly.

(2) The consular officer will decide on whether or not to issue the visa and on its validity, duration of stay and number of entries in light of specific conditions of the applicant.

(3) Uploaded materials may be verified. Originals may also be requested. False documents may result in:

Visa refusal

Visa cancellation

Denial of entry

The embassy is not responsible for financial losses related to travel planning, flight tickets, hotels, etc., if a visa is denied.