China Q1 visa: the family reunion documents

A Q1 visa for family reunion needs an invitation letter from a Chinese citizen living in China or from a foreigner with Chinese permanent residence, a copy of the inviter's identity document, and the original and a copy of proof of the family relationship. The Q1 Visa section of the consular instructions also contains a separate note: the holder must apply for a residence permit within 30 days of entering China.

Who the Q1 visa covers

The category table in the consular instructions gives the Q1 row as follows: "Issued to those who are family members (spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law) of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and intend to go to China for family reunion and residence, as well as those who apply to enter and reside in China for foster care or other reasons."

Article 6 item (8) of the Regulations says: "The Q1 visa is issued to family members of Chinese citizens and family members of foreigners with permanent residence status in China who apply for residence in China for family reunion, as well as for persons who apply for residence in China for fosterage or other purposes."

Documents for family reunion

The Q1 Visa section of the consular instructions lists the following documents for family reunion.

• An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen residing in China or a foreigner with Chinese permanent residence. The invitation letter must contain:
• personal information of the invited person: name, gender, date of birth, etc.;
• information about the invited person's visit to China: reason for coming to China, intended date of arrival, intended place of residence, intended duration of residence, relationship with the inviting individual, who will pay for the travel, etc.;
• information of the inviting individual: name, phone number, address, signature of the inviting individual, etc.
• A photocopy of the Chinese ID card of the inviting individual, or photocopies of the bio-page of the foreigner's passport and the permanent residence permit.
• The original and a photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, kinship certification issued by the public security police station, notarized kinship certificate, etc.) showing the relationship of family members between the applicant and the inviting individual. The listed relationships are spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.

The consular instructions state that when applying for a visa you need to prepare the documents in section I, Basic Documents. That section lists the applicant's passport and photo, proof of legal stay or residence, and the previous Chinese passport or previous Chinese visa, together with the documents for the specific class. It refers readers to the Guidance on Visa Application section of the China Online Visa Application System, or to the website of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General in their locality, for specific requirements.

Article 7 item (8) of the Regulations says: "To apply for the Q1 visa, in the case of applying for residence in China for family reunion, the applicant shall submit the invitation letter provided by the Chinese citizen living in China or by the foreigner with permanent residence status in China and proof of family relationship."

Documents for foster care

The Q1 Visa section lists the following documents for foster care.

• A notarized foster care power of attorney issued by a Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General, or a foster care power of attorney notarized or authenticated in the host country or in China.
• The original and a photocopy of the consignor's passport, and certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, kinship certification issued by the public security police station, notarized kinship certificate, etc.) showing the kinship between the consignor and the fostered child.
• A letter of consent to accept the foster care issued by the trustee, and a photocopy of the trustee's ID card.
• Where one or both parents of the fostered child are Chinese citizens, a photocopy of the certificate showing that the parent(s) of Chinese nationality had settled abroad at the time of the child's birth must also be provided.

Article 7 item (8) of the Regulations says: "in the case of applying for entry for fosterage or other purposes, the applicant shall submit such certification documents as a power of attorney."

The residence permit within 30 days

The Q1 Visa section contains this note: "The holder must, within 30 days of entering China, apply for a residence permit at the exit-entry administration of the public security bureau of the people's government at or above the county level of the intended place of residence."

The 30-day time limit is stated in the consular instructions. Article 15 item (4) of the Regulations names one of the residence permit types: "The residence permit for reunion is issued to family members of Chinese citizens and family members of foreigners with permanent residence status in China who need to reside in China for family reunion, and to persons who need to reside in China for fosterage or other purposes."

Additional material

The last paragraph of Article 7 of the Regulations says: "The visa authority may, in light of specific cases, require a foreigner to submit additional application material."

The consular office handling the application decides whether to issue a visa. This article cannot tell you the outcome of a case.

For the other visa classes, see the visa classes section of this site.

Sources

• Visa Application Instructions of the People's Republic of China (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC, China Consular Services)
• Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners (National Immigration Administration)

Checked 11 October 2026

This page is an unofficial summary, is not published by or affiliated with the National Immigration Administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, any embassy, consulate or visa application service centre, is not legal or immigration advice, and the official text and the current notice of the office handling your case prevail if they differ.