What you need to know

A spouse, parent, spouse's parent or child under 18 of a foreigner who lives in China can apply for a family residence permit. What you bring depends on the visa you entered on. A permit can run up to 3 years for a child under 18 or a person aged 60 or over, and up to 2 years for other adults.

Documents

Everyone brings what the general application needs: a valid passport or other international travel document, the completed visa application form with one photo that meets the photo standard, and documents that support the purpose of the stay. On top of that:

  • Q1 visa: proof of identity of the person you are joining, and a letter that explains your family relationship.
  • S1 visa: a letter from the person you are visiting that states the relationship, and that person's residence permit. The relationship can be spouse, parent, spouse's parent or child under 18.
  • Another visa type: proof of the family relationship.
  • Private affairs, other people: documents related to the private matter you are handling.

Documents in a foreign language have to be translated into Chinese. The 2019 service guide says marriage, birth and relationship certificates issued abroad must be authenticated by the Chinese embassy or consulate in that country. The guide is several years old, so ask the immigration office what it accepts now.

How long the permit lasts

  • Family reunion, child under 18 or person aged 60 or over: up to 3 years. A child's permit cannot run past the 18th birthday.
  • Family reunion, other people: up to 2 years.
  • Private affairs, S1 relatives: the permit can match the length of the sponsor's residence in China.
  • Private affairs, other people: up to 1 year.

Health certificate

For a permit valid for more than 1 year, add a health certificate from the local health inspection department or from a medical institution at county level or above.

Fee

CNY 400 for a permit valid under 1 year. CNY 800 for 1 year to under 3 years. CNY 1,000 for 3 to 5 years.

When and where

If your visa says a residence permit is required after entry, apply within 30 days of the day you entered. You apply at the entry-exit administration of the public security bureau where you will live. Applicants normally come in person; people under 16, people 60 or older and people who cannot move easily may have someone apply for them. The receipt is valid for no more than 15 working days from acceptance, and you collect the permit in person.

Sources are listed below with the date the page was opened.

Practical facts

Steps

  1. If you entered on a Q1 visa, bring proof of identity of the person you are joining and a letter that explains your family relationship.[1]
  2. If you entered on an S1 visa, bring a letter from the person you are visiting that states your relationship, together with that person's residence permit. The relationship must be spouse, parent, spouse's parent or child under 18.[1]
  3. If you entered on another type of visa, bring proof of the family relationship as well.[1]
  4. Marriage, birth and relationship certificates issued by a foreign authority or notary must be authenticated by the Chinese embassy or consulate in that country, according to the 2019 service guide. Ask the immigration office whether the rule has changed.[1]
  5. Translate foreign-language documents into Chinese.[1]
  6. For a permit valid for more than 1 year, add a health certificate from the local health inspection department or a medical institution at county level or above.[1]
  7. Apply within 30 days of entry if your visa says a residence permit is required, at the entry-exit administration of the place where you will live.[1]
Fee
CNY 400 to 1,000 The fee depends on the validity: CNY 400 under 1 year, CNY 800 from 1 year to under 3 years, CNY 1,000 from 3 to 5 years.[1]

Official sources

  1. National Immigration Administration: 外国人居留证件签发服务指南 (Service guide: issuing residence permits for foreigners, published 2019-09-05) (www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741587/n1316094/n1355872/c1356308/content.html) · accessed 10/21/2026