China Visa Application Requirements - Private Visa (S1)

China S1 visa is issued to those who intend to go to China to live with the immediate family member working or studying in China, or to those who intend to go to China for other private affairs. "Immediate family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 or parents-in-law. It is usually issued for one entry with duration of stay of 000 (means to be determined). Holder of S1 visa should enter China within 90 days after visa is issued and must register at local public security bureau within 30 days of arrival, where the China Residence Permit will be issued to replace S1 visa to allow multiple entry for one year or longer. S1 visa is not guaranteed. Chinese Consulate may issue you a S2 visa instead at their discretion. In order to apply for China S1 Visa, please prepare your application according to the detail requirement explained below.

Please prepare all required items below accordingly:

1 Actual passport, plus a photocopy of the name page

Passport should have sufficient validity left. Minimum 6 months validity beyond travel date is required for single entry visa, 12 months validity is required for multiple entry. If you need passport services, please visit our expedited passport services section.
Visa will be issued in the passport. Passport must have at least 2 blank visa pages. The last 3 pages in US passports are amendment pages, reserved by the US Department of State for amendment to the passport. They won't be acceptable for visas. If your passport has no blank visa pages left, you must renew your passport first. Please visit our expedited passport services section, if passport service is needed.
If you have a valid China visa in another passport, you will need to submit that passport together with the new passport when applying for a new visa. A photocopy of that visa and passport is also required.
Non-US passport holders must provide a notarized photocopy of the proof of legal stay or residence status in the US, such as Green Card or a valid long term US residence visa.

2 Proof of Residence

A photocopy of the driver's license or major utility bill with your name and address is required.

3 One recent passport-type photograph

Please refer to the link for Chinese visa photo specific requirement.
If you need help with the Chinese visa photo, you may check out this website: https://www.snap2pass.com/

4 Fill out China Online Visa Application Form (COVA) online

Please choose the correct Chinese Consulate or Embassy which serves your state. More about jurisdiction.
Remarks: Do not click the "Confirm and Next " button at the end of the application form until it is finalized. Any further updates may not be saved properly after you click this button.
Please email us the Application ID and passport number for a pre-check before confirming and submission.
Error in uploading the photo is usually due to the background of the photo not white enough.
The Surname, Given Name MUST match exactly as shown in your passport's bio page. Given name is your first name + middle name as appear in your passport.
Gender, Date of birth, Nationality, Passport number, etc. must be exactly the same as shown in your passport.
All entries in the form must be filled in truthfully, accurately, and completely. Any mistakes or omissions will cause the visa application to be rejected.
* For Work Experience: position, duty, must be filled out completely. If your work experience is more than 5 years, at least 5 years of that should be provided.
* For Education: Please put down the highest education you have received.
* Spouse's address must be the current address including street, city, state, country.
* Entries that are "NOT APPLICABLE" need a statement to back up, and must be explained in detail.
Please print out and submit only single-sided pages of the application, not back to back.

5 Submit the Visa Service Request Form Online

Select the service type and level you need and provide your contact information and mailing address.
Multiple applicants can be entered using one service request form.

6 Payment for visa processing, service and shipping

Chose A Service Level	Time needed		All Fees
Chose A Service Level	Review and Prepare	Consular Processing	Embassy Fee	Service Fee
Regular Pre-check Only Service	5-10 days	N/A	N/A	From $149*
Express Pre-check Only Service	2-5 days	N/A	N/A	From $259*
Regular Service (Pre-check+Submission)	5-10 days	2 - 3 Weeks*	$140	From $249*
Express Service (Pre-check+Submission)	2-5 days	up to 7 days	$165	From $349*
Rush Service (Pre-check+Submission)	1-3 days	3-5 days	$165	From $449*

Service fees and schedules vary based on different consulates. Additional fee may apply for Q, S visa, some difficult jurisdictions and applications of Chinese descendants
Rush Service only available for New Yor jurisdiction with limited availability
Return Shipping Fee from $36 via FedEx will apply. If your return address is in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, shipping extra will apply.
Processing schedule posted is for reference purpose
Consular Processing Time is based on submission date and is subject to change without notice. (*)

Remarks:

Please email us the service request confirmation number once submitted.
We will email you a invoice for the payment.
You may pay service fee by credit card online. Credit card payment is subject to 3.6% surcharge.

7 Where You Stay Form

You need be in the US when you are applying for the Chinese Visa in the US.
Please complete the form by hand and sign it.

8 Photocopy of Your Previous Chinese Visa

If you had multiple Chinese visa, please make a copy of your last one. If the visa is in a different passport, a photocopy of that passport's bio page is also needed.
If you have a valid China visa in another passport, you will need to submit that passport together with the new passport when applying for a new visa. A photocopy of that visa and passport is also required for pre-check.
If you had a multiple-entry 10 years Chinese visa which is not expired and you would like to quest for another multiple entry visa. Please complete and sign the Consent Form.

9 An invitation letter from the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies)

An invitation letter from an immediate family member working or studying in China. A foreigner holding a long term work and study visa with residence permit in China is qualified as an inviter for visa application. The invitation letter should contain:

Inviting person's name, gender, date of birth, foreign passport number, current address in China, contact phone number and email.
Include this phrase "I hereby invite the following relatives to visit China for a short-term visit (or long-term residence only for Q1/S1 visa). He/She plans to go to China on XX, and stay in China for XX days".
Invitee information: name, gender, date of birth, nationality, passport number, and the relationship with the inviter.
Inviter's signature and date.
Proof of the inviting person's identity such as photocopy of the foreign passport, Chinese residence permit, Work Permit Card (if on Z visa), etc.

Invitation letter should be signed by the inviter and can be submitted as a photocopy by scan & email or fax in most cases. However, original invitation might be requested at visa officer's discretion.

Please refer to the link below for sample invitation letters:
Sample private invitation letter for L, Q or S visa

10 Proof of kinship

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 or parents-in-law.

A Additional requirement based on jurisdiction

Although the requirement for Chinese visa largely remains the same across different Chinese Consulates, there are some special rules pertaining to each different Consulate. Click here to see if there is additional requirement for your jurisdiction.

B Additional requirement for minor applicant

Applicants of age 18 and under need to provide a photocopy of their birth certificate and both parents' passport name page.
One of the parents must sign the application form using parent's name in both section 4 and 5.
Minor applicant is required to provide a notarized letter of consent from the parent, if that parent is not applying for the visa at the same time.

C Additional requirement for Chinese descendants

Click for additional requirement for Chinese descendants. Skip it, if you are not.

Pre-check by email before mailing

Please email us at: service@visarite.net a scanned copy of all items listed above in separate PDF files for a pre-check. Once the pre-check is completed, we will notify you to confirm and submit the COVA form online. You may then mail in the application, detailed mailing instruction will be emailed to you.
Important: Please read the instruction carefully and prepare your application accordingly. Only application request prepared according to the instructions will be responded quickly.