(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)

Friendly reminder:

Please upload scanned copies of all documents to the online visa processing system.

For application documents that specifically require originals, please bring/mail the originals and copies to the visa application center when submitting your application.

1. Basic documents

1. Passport 
Original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and with at least two blank visa pages.

Please upload a scanned copy of the passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate, and the latest Chinese visa if applicable.

If you have a renewed passport, you must bring your current and the previous original passport and upload the photocopies of their data page and the photo page.

2.  Visa Application Form and Photo
Please complete the online application form on the Visa Center website, please check the visa application procedure here. Once your application has been approved, bring one printed copy of the “Visa Application Certificate” to the center.

One recently-taken colour passport photos (bare-head, full face) against a white background (size: 48mm x 33mm) attached. Please click here for more detailed photo requirements.

3. Proof of legal status (applicable for none-Australian citizens)

If you are not applying for a visa in the country of your citizenship, you must upload thescanned copy of your valid certificates of residence, employment or student status, or other valid visas of  the country where the Visa Centre is located.

4. The previous Chinese passports and previous Chinese visas (applicable for those who were Chinese citizens and have obtained foreign citizenship).

If you are applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, you are required to provide the last original Chinese passport, upload the scanned copyof its data page and the first Australian/other country's permanent resident visa (not 155 visa).

If you have obtained Chinese visas before, please upload the scanned copy of the previous Chinese visa.

If you are applying for a Chinese visa with a renewed foreign passport that does not contain any Chinese visa, you are required to upload the scanned copy of the previous passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate, as well as the previous Chinese visa page (If your name on the current passport differs from that on the previous one, you must uploadthe official document of name change).

5. Applicants under 18 years old are required to provide the original Birth Certificate, upload the scanned copy.
6. If a child of Chinese descent (Parent/parents having or had Chinese nationality) under 18 years old is applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, he/she is required to upload the following documents:
(1) Birth Certificate ;
(2) Both of his or her parents' passport date page and photo page when the child was born.

(3) Both of his or her parents' Australian visa or Australian citizenship certificate when the child was born (if applicable).

 
2. Supporting documents

Applicants who are going to visit their relatives residing in China and intend to stay for more than 180 days need to provide: 
(1) Please upload the scanned copy of the inviting party’s passport data page, photo page and the residence permit.
(2) Please upload the scanned copy of the invitation letter that contains:
a) Information of the applicant (incl. full name, gender, date of birth, etc.);
b) Information regarding the visit (incl. purpose of visit, intended arrival date, intended place(s) to stay, intended duration of stay, relationship between the applicant and the inviting party, and details of any financial support to be provided during the stay in China);
c) Information of the inviting party (incl. name, contact telephone number, address, signature of individual).
(3) Please provide the Original and upload the scanned copy of the certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between the applicants and the inviting parties.
"Relatives" refers to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18, parents in law.

Accompanying family members applying together with applicants of Z-Visa or X1-Visa need to provide: 
(1) Please upload the scanned copy of Z or X1 applicant’s “Visa Application Certificate”

(2) Please provide the Original and upload the scanned copy of the notarized and authenticated certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between applicants and inviting parties.
"Relatives" refers to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18, parents in law.
(3)Please upload the scanned copy of the invitation Letter issued by the employer in China for which the inviting party works, or the school in which the inviting party studies.

We kindly remind you that:
Holders of S1-Visa must apply for a residence permit from the immigration department of the local public security authority in the place intended to stay within 30 days of entry to China.

3. Special notes

(1) The invitation letter may be in the form of fax,  scanned copy or computer printout, but the consular officer may require the applicant to submit the original of the invitation letter. An issuer of invitation letter who is an individual in China should also provide a photocopy of his/her Chinese ID.

(2) If necessary, the consular officer may require the applicant to provide other proof documents or supplementary materials, or require an interview with the applicant.

(3) 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.
(4)  A4 size paper applies to all the documents.