# China Q1 and Q2 Family Reunion Visas Explained for 2026
> Step-by-step guide to China's Q1 and Q2 family reunion visas in 2026: eligibility, documents, fees, residence permits, and common pitfalls.
**URL:** https://migaku.com/blog/language-fun/china-q1-and-q2-family-reunion-visas-explained-for-2026
**Last Updated:** 2026-05-20
**Tags:** resources, culture, deepdive
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If you are a spouse, parent, child, or other close relative of a Chinese citizen or a foreign permanent resident in China, the visa you want is a Q1 (long-term, over 180 days) or a Q2 (short-term, up to 180 days). This guide walks through who qualifies, what to file, what it costs in 2026, and how to convert a Q1 into a residence permit after you arrive.
*Last updated: May 20, 2026*
## Q1 vs. Q2: Which One Do You Need?
The Q-category exists specifically for family reunion. The choice between Q1 and Q2 is driven by how long you intend to stay in China and whether you plan to live there.
| Feature | Q1 visa | Q2 visa |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Long-term family reunion / residence | Short visit to relatives |
| Stay length | More than 180 days (via residence permit) | 30 to 180 days |
| Entries on the visa itself | Usually single entry | Single, double, or multiple |
| Residence permit required? | Yes, within 30 days of entry | No |
| Who invites you | Chinese citizen or foreign permanent resident in China | Chinese citizen or foreign resident in China |
A Q1 visa, on its own, is typically a single-entry sticker that gets you into China once. The real authorization to live in the country comes from the Residence Permit for Foreigners (family reunion category) you apply for after arrival. A Q2, by contrast, is the visa you actually travel on for the full visit, with no permit conversion step.
If you only plan to see relatives for a few weeks or months and then leave, Q2 is correct. If you intend to live in China with your Chinese-citizen spouse, with parents who hold Chinese permanent residency, or with another qualifying relative for the foreseeable future, you need a Q1.
## Who Counts as Family for a Q Visa
The National Immigration Administration defines the qualifying family relationship narrowly. You can apply for a Q1 or Q2 only if you are one of the following relatives of a Chinese citizen or a foreigner with permanent residence in China:
- Spouse
- Parents and parents-in-law
- Children (including adopted children)
- Siblings
- Grandparents and grandchildren
- Children's spouses (sons- and daughters-in-law)
More distant relatives (cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws beyond those listed) do not qualify for a Q visa and should look at the S category or a tourist L visa instead.
The person inviting you, the "inviter," must hold either Chinese nationality or a valid Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card. A spouse or parent on a work-based residence permit cannot host you under Q; that situation falls under the S1/S2 categories.
## Document Checklist
Document lists vary slightly between consulates, but the following set is standard across Chinese diplomatic missions in 2026. Confirm the exact wording with your local mission before filing.
Core documents for both Q1 and Q2:
- Passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity and 2 blank visa pages.
- A clear photocopy of the passport bio page.
- Completed visa application form, submitted through the China Online Visa Application (COVA) system, which was relaunched on September 30, 2025 and is now the required online platform.
- One recent passport-style color photo meeting Chinese visa photo specifications.
- Proof of legal stay or residence in the country where you are applying, if you are not a citizen of that country.
- Original invitation letter from your relative in China, signed and dated, including the inviter's full name, contact details, your relationship, and the planned dates of visit.
- Photocopy of the inviter's Chinese ID card (for Chinese citizens) or both sides of their Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card.
- Proof of kinship: marriage certificate (for spouses), birth certificate (for parent-child relationships), or household register entries showing the relationship.
Additional for Q1 only:
- Statement of intent to reside long-term with the relative in China.
- Any documents requested by the specific consulate, such as the inviter's residence proof in China.
Foreign-issued documents (marriage and birth certificates in particular) must be either authenticated by a Chinese Embassy or Consulate in the issuing country, or carry an Apostille if the issuing country is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention and China accepts the Apostille for that document type. Plain notarization is not enough.
If any document is not in Chinese or English, attach a certified translation.
## Application Steps
The process splits cleanly into a pre-departure phase (getting the visa) and a post-arrival phase (only for Q1 holders, who must convert into a residence permit).
### Before you travel
1. Have your relative in China prepare and sign the invitation letter, and send you a scanned copy along with their ID document.
2. Gather and authenticate your kinship documents. This step is often the slowest, so start early; apostilles and consular legalizations can take several weeks.
3. Create an account on COVA at the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal and complete the application form online.
4. Print the form, sign it, and assemble the full document set.
5. Book an appointment at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) or the relevant consulate that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.
6. Submit your documents in person (or via an authorized agent where permitted), have biometrics collected, and pay the fees.
7. Collect your passport after processing. Standard processing is around 4 working days; express service shortens this for an extra fee.
### After arrival (Q1 holders only)
1. Within 24 hours of arriving at your address in China, register your accommodation with the local police station. Hotels do this automatically; private residences do not.
2. Within 30 days of entry, go to the local Exit-Entry Administration of the Public Security Bureau (PSB) to apply for a Residence Permit for Foreigners under the family reunion category.
3. If you are between 18 and 70 years old and applying for a permit valid longer than one year, complete a medical examination at an authorized hospital in China and obtain the Verification Certificate of Medical Examination Records (valid within 6 months).
4. Submit your passport, Q1 visa, photos, accommodation registration receipt, inviter's documents, and any other items the local PSB requests. In Beijing, Q1 holders are exempt from re-submitting marriage or birth certificates that already cleared the visa stage.
5. Collect your residence permit. The Beijing PSB processes complete family reunion applications within 7 working days.
Once the residence permit is in your passport, you can leave and re-enter China freely until the permit expires.
## Fees and Processing Times
Visa fees vary by nationality and by the number of entries. The figures below are current for 2026.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard visa fee, US passport holders | USD 140 (reduced from 185), in effect December 11, 2023 through December 31, 2026 |
| Express service surcharge, US applicants | USD 25 |
| Standard visa fee, UK passport holders | GBP 64 (excluding 5- and 10-year multiple entries), through December 31, 2026 |
| Residence permit, up to 1 year validity | CNY 400 |
| Residence permit, 1 to 3 years | CNY 800 |
| Residence permit, 3 to 5 years | CNY 1,000 |
| Residence permit item change (e.g., address) | CNY 200 per person (Tianjin PSB schedule) |
| Standard visa processing time | About 4 working days |
| Beijing residence permit processing | Within 7 working days of full submission |
For passports of other nationalities, fees differ. Check your local Chinese embassy or consulate website, or the central visa portal at consular.mfa.gov.cn, for the current schedule.
Residence permit length for Q1 holders depends on age: applicants under 18 or over 60 can receive a permit valid up to 3 years, while other adults typically receive up to 2 years on the first issuance. The legal maximum is 5 years.
## Visa-Free Entry: A Note for UK and Canadian Visitors in 2026
From February 17, 2026 through December 31, 2026, ordinary UK and Canadian passport holders can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days, and family/friend visits are an accepted purpose. If your trip is short and you hold one of these passports, you may not need a Q2 at all during this window. A Q visa is still required for stays longer than 30 days or if you want to apply for a residence permit after arrival.
## Common Pitfalls
Family reunion applications are usually approved, but they get delayed or refused for predictable reasons. Avoid these:
- Missing 30-day permit deadline. Q1 holders who do not file for a residence permit within 30 days of entry face fines and, in serious cases, exit restrictions. Mark the date on your calendar the day you land.
- Skipping accommodation registration. Even if you stay with family, you must register with the local police within 24 hours. Hotels do it; private homes do not. Bring your host's lease or property ownership document plus their ID.
- Unauthenticated kinship documents. A marriage certificate from your home country is not automatically valid in China. It must be apostilled or consular-legalized. This is the single most common reason Q applications stall.
- Trying to work on a Q visa. Q1 and the family-reunion residence permit do not authorize employment. If you want to work, you need a Z visa and a work permit, which is a separate track.
- Applying with the wrong category. If your spouse is in China on a work-based residence permit (not a permanent resident), you need an S visa, not a Q. Confirm the inviter's status before filing.
- Forgetting passport validity and blank pages. Six months of remaining validity and two blank visa pages are required. Renew your passport first if you are close to either limit.
- Late residence permit extension. Under Article 32 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law, extensions must be filed at least 30 days before the permit expires. Waiting until the last week is risky.
## Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from Q2 to Q1 inside China?
Generally no. The visa category is fixed at issuance. You typically need to leave China and apply for a Q1 from abroad. In limited circumstances the local PSB may allow a change, but do not plan around it.
Can my Q1 residence permit be renewed indefinitely?
Yes, as long as the qualifying family relationship still exists and you continue to meet the conditions. Many long-term Q1 holders eventually qualify for permanent residency through marriage or family ties. See our guide on [Permanent Residency in China](https://migaku.com/blog/language-fun/how-foreigners-can-get-permanent-residency-green-card-in-china).
Can my children attend school on a Q1-based residence permit?
Minor children of foreign residents in China generally can enroll in public schools and most private and international schools when they hold a valid residence permit. Specific school requirements vary by city and district.
What if I want to work in China later?
You will need to convert to a Z visa and obtain a work permit. The family-reunion permit does not authorize employment. See [China Z Visa and Work Permit](https://migaku.com/blog/language-fun/how-to-apply-for-a-china-z-visa-and-work-permit-in-2026).
Who do I call with questions inside China?
The National Immigration Administration hotline is +86-10-12367. Many provincial PSBs also use the 12367 short code locally.
Do I need to speak Chinese to handle the process?
Not strictly. Many PSB offices in larger cities offer English-language service, and visa centers abroad accept English documents. That said, navigating leases, banking, healthcare, and daily errands in China is far easier with even basic Mandarin, and family conversations with in-laws often happen in Mandarin or a regional language like Cantonese. For relatives in Hong Kong or Guangdong, a starting point is our [Cantonese Family Vocabulary](https://migaku.com/blog/chinese/cantonese-family-vocabulary) guide.
If you are moving to China to be with family, learning Mandarin through real conversations, shows, and news will make daily life and your relationship with your in-laws much smoother. [Try Migaku](https://migaku.com/signup) to learn Chinese from native content you actually want to watch and read.