Quick answer: The Q visa is for visiting family who are Chinese citizens or permanent residents — Q2 for visits of up to 180 days, Q1 for longer-term reunion. You need an invitation from your relative that includes their Chinese ID number and your relationship, plus proof of that relationship. If your relative in China is a foreign national there on a work or study permit, you need an S visa instead.
If you're visiting family who are Chinese citizens or permanent residents, you need a family visa — Q2 for a short visit, or Q1 for a long-term stay or reunion. Both start with an invitation from your relative in China.
Q1 vs Q2 — which one
Q2 — short family visits, generally up to 180 days. The most common choice for seeing relatives.
Q1 — long-term family reunion (over 180 days), for close family of Chinese citizens or permanent residents. After you arrive, you convert it to a residence permit.
What you need
An invitation letter from your relative in China, including their Chinese ID number and your relationship. See what the letter must include, with a free template.
Proof of your family relationship (such as a birth or marriage certificate), especially for Q1
A passport valid for at least six more months, with a blank page
A recent white-background photo and your COVA application
Q vs L — a common mix-up
For a short personal visit to friends or family, many travelers just use the tourist (L) visa. The Q visa is specifically for close family of Chinese citizens or permanent residents, and it's the right choice for longer stays or formal reunion. If you're unsure, we'll confirm the right category when you apply.
There is a second mix-up worth knowing about: the Q visa is for family of Chinese citizens or permanent residents. If your relative in China is a foreign national there on a work or study permit, the right category is the S1 or S2 visa instead.
How to apply
Complete COVA, then submit in person at your consulate — we handle it. Start your application or compare all visa types.
Get My Passports is a private company that provides China visa application assistance. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency, and all visa decisions — type, validity, entries, and approval — are made solely by the Chinese consulate. Requirements can vary by consulate and change over time; confirm the current rules before you apply.
