The international Expats in Shanghai could reunion with their families in Shanghai by applying S1, S2, residence permits for reunions and residence permits for personal matters. The family member generally refers to spouse, parents, parents in law, child, child in law, grandparents, grandparents in law, grandchild, grandchild in law, siblings. The family member could apply S1 and S2 visa from the local Chinese consulate or embassy first when they are not yet arrived China. The residence permits for reunion or for personal matters could only apply in China through the immigration office where the expats apply their study or work residence permit.

The proof of kinship such as the marriage certificate and birth certificate are required for each visa. It must be issued by a government department of civil affairs, health or public security, a notary, or the embassy or consulate of the applicant’s home country in China. Hague certification signatory nation could be exempted from the authentication from the Chinese consulate or embassy in locals.

S1 Visa

S1 visa is issued to the family members of the international expats holding valid residence permit (study or work) for long-term staying. After arriving China, the holders of S1 visa must apply the residence permit within 30 days from the arrival. When they apply the residence permit for person matters in the Chinese local immigration office, the proof of the kinship is exempted from the application. The child or the child in law should be under 18 years old.

S2 Visa

S2 visa usually is issued to the family members of the international expats holding valid residence permit for a short-term visit. The Chinese consulate or embassy generally would issue visa for the stays from 90 days to 180 days. For those children or children in law above 18 years old, the number days of staying might be shorter since they are independent legal individual. The holders of S2 visa could apply the residence permit when they are ready and before the expiration date of the S2 visa. However, they must provide the proof of the kinship when applying the resident permit. They also could choose to renew the S2 visa in the Chinese local immigration office only once in Shanghai through the immigration office. The duration of staying generally are 30 days.

Residence Permit for Reunion

Family members with foreign nationality of a Chinese national or an international expat holding a Foreigner′s Permanent Residence Card who lives in Shanghai. The kinship proof is exempted for the holders of Q1 visa. The duration of the visa usually is 1 year to 2 years.  

Residence permits for personal matters

Family members of an international expat holding a valid Shanghai residence permit. The family member only refers to spouses, child under 18, parents and parents in law. The duration of the visa depends on the residence permit of the international expat.