The 180-day line in Chinese visa classes: short-term and long-term
Some Chinese visa classes come in pairs, such as J1 and J2 or X1 and X2, because the Regulations define short-term as not exceeding 180 days (including 180 days) and long-term as exceeding 180 days.
Some Chinese visa classes come in pairs because the Regulations split certain categories into two letter codes, and the two terms behind those pairs are defined by the 180-day line. Regulations, Article 36, items (4) and (5), sets that line. This article sets out the definitions, the four pairs named in Regulations, Article 6, and the wording of each of the eight paired rows in the category table.
The two definitions
Regulations, Article 36 defines the terms as follows:
(4) Short-term means staying in China for a period not exceeding 180 days (including 180 days); and
(5) Long-term or resident means residing in China for a period exceeding 180 days.
These are the English texts published by the National Immigration Administration.
Which classes come in pairs
Regulations, Article 6 says that ordinary visas "are divided into the following categories and shall be marked with corresponding letters in the Chinese phonetic alphabet." Article 6 describes four pairs in its own words:
- J1 and J2, Article 6, item (5): the J1 visa is issued to "resident foreign journalists of permanent offices of foreign news agencies in China"; the J2 visa is for "foreign journalists who come to China for short-term news coverage."
- Q1 and Q2, Article 6, item (8): the Q1 visa is issued to family members who "apply for residence in China for family reunion"; the Q2 visa is for relatives who "apply for a short-term visit."
- S1 and S2, Article 6, item (10): the S1 visa is for those who "apply for a long-term visit to China"; the S2 visa is for those who "apply for a short-term visit to China."
- X1 and X2, Article 6, item (11): the X1 visa is issued to persons who "apply for long-term study in China"; the X2 visa is for persons who "apply for short-term study in China."
Article 6 does not add any other effect to these pairs. The sections below show only what the printed wording of each row says.
The eight paired rows
The table below copies the wording of the eight paired rows exactly as printed in the category table of the Visa Application Instructions of the People's Republic of China, published on the China Consular Services website. The English text is quoted as printed.
| Class | Wording in the category table |
|---|---|
| J1 | Issued to journalists of foreign news organizations stationed in China, whose intended duration of residence in China exceeds 180 days |
| J2 | Issued to foreign journalists who intend to go to China for short-term news coverage. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days |
| Q1 | 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 |
| Q2 | Issued to those who intend to visit their relatives who are Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with Chinese permanent residence, for a short-term stay of no more than 180 days |
| S1 | Issued to those who intend to go to China to visit the foreigners residing in China for work, study or other purposes, to whom they are spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 or parents-in-law, and to those who need to reside in China for other private affairs. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days |
| S2 | Issued to those who intend to visit their family members (spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law) who are foreigners staying or residing in China for work, study or other purposes, and to those who need to stay in China for other private matters. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days |
| X1 | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days |
| X2 | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days |
The category table prints a number of days in seven of these rows: J1, J2, Q2, S1, S2, X1 and X2. The Q1 row prints no number of days. Its wording refers to family reunion and residence. So the 180-day figure appears in the table row by row, and the Q1 row does not carry one.
Using the line when you plan
As a planning suggestion, not a rule: write down the number of days you intend to stay, compare it with 180 days, and then read the two rows of the pair that matches your purpose. The row you need is the one whose printed wording fits your intended stay and purpose.
Sources
- Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners (English text published by the National Immigration Administration), National Immigration Administration
- Visa Application Instructions of the People's Republic of China (申请办理中华人民共和国签证须知), China Consular Services website, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC (China Consular Services, cs.mfa.gov.cn)
Checked 10 and 11 October 2026
This page is an unofficial summary. It is not published by or affiliated with the National Immigration Administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, any embassy, consulate or visa application service centre, and it is not legal or immigration advice. If the official text differs from this page, the official text and the current notice of the office handling your case prevail.