A visitor visa to China is a visa that you need if you are going to visit family or relatives living in China. Depending on who you are going to visit and how long you plan to stay, you may need a Q visa or an S visa. For longer stays, S1 or Q1 visas are issued, while S2 and Q2 visas are used for shorter visits.
At Alla Visum you can get help with your application for a visitor visa to China. We help you check the data, reduce the risk of errors and ensure that your application is handled correctly before travel. You can easily start the application online, fill out the form, upload documents, and get help throughout the process.
About Visitor Visas to China
A visitor visa to China is a visa for people who want to visit family members or relatives living in China. The visa type is mainly divided into Q visa and S visa.
The Q visa is used when the person you are going to visit is a Chinese citizen or has a permanent residence permit in China.
S visas are used when the person you are going to visit is a foreign national who legally lives, works, or studies in China.
Q1 and S1 visas are intended for long-term stays. They are issued as Single Entry and are valid for 3 months from the date of issue. You must enter China within this period and then apply for a residence permit within 30 days of arrival.
Q2 and S2 visas are intended for short visits. These can be issued as Single Entry, Double Entry or Multiple Entry. The permitted period of stay per entry is 30, 60, 90 or 180 days, depending on the decision of the Chinese authorities.
Visitor visas to China are also valid for Swedish citizens who want to visit family or relatives in China for a shorter or longer period of time.
You will need the following documents to apply:
- Completed visa application
- Copy of passport information page
- The passport must be valid at least 6 months after the date of entry
- Visa photo
- Invitation letter from the host in China
- Copy of the host's Chinese ID card, passport, or residence permit
- Documents proving the family relationship if required
Any additional documents requested by the Chinese authorities
China can change visa rules and document requirements at short notice. It is therefore important to check the current rules before submitting the application.
Rules for visitor visas
Important rules to know:
- Q visa is used when the host is a Chinese citizen or a permanent resident of China
- S visa is used when the host is a foreign national legally residing in China
- Q1 and S1 visas are intended for long-term stays
- Q1 and S1 visas are issued as Single Entry
- Q1 and S1 visas must be used within 3 months from the date of issue
- You must apply for a residence permit within 30 days of arriving in China if you are traveling with a Q1 or S1 visa
- Q2 and S2 visas are intended for short visits
- Q2 and S2 visas can be issued as Single Entry, Double Entry, or Multiple Entry
- The permitted stay per entry is 30, 60, 90 or 180 days depending on the visa decision
- The visa is intended for family and private visits
- The visa is not intended for work in China
- The final decision is always made by China's immigration authorities
- An extension can in some cases be applied to the local immigration authorities in China and the decision is made by them
Are you a Swedish citizen?
If you are a UK citizen and plan to visit family or relatives in China for an extended period, a Q or S visa may be the most suitable solution. The best visa category depends on who you are going to visit and how long you plan to stay.
Chinese Embassy in Sweden
If you are applying for a visitor visa to China, it is the Chinese embassy in Stockholm or the Chinese visa center that handles visa applications for people living in Sweden. Depending on whether you are applying for a Q visa to visit Chinese family members or an S visa to visit foreign family members living in China, different documents and certificates may be needed.
At Alla Visum, we help you choose the right visa category, check invitation letters and other documents, and ensure that the application meets the requirements of the Chinese authorities before it is submitted. This reduces the risk of unnecessary delays and additions.
Embassy of Sweden in China
During their stay in China, the Embassy of Sweden in Beijing and the Swedish Consulates General can assist Swedish citizens with consular services, for example in case of loss of passport or other emergencies. The Swedish embassy, on the other hand, cannot issue Chinese visas or make decisions about Chinese residence permits.
What happens next
- 1.Complete your order by making the payment.
- 2.Each traveler receives an email with a link to fill in their application form and upload the required documents.
- 3.We review your application and contact you if any details or documents need to be completed.
- 4.When your application is ready, we send your visa by email or post, according to the delivery option you chose.
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Why travelers choose AllaVisum
Clear process from application to visa delivery
Track every step of your application with transparent updates and clear timelines.
Help with documents and visa requirements
Expert guidance on required documents and requirements for your specific destination.
Standard, Express, and Premium service levels
Choose the processing speed that fits your travel timeline and budget.
Real support by phone and email
Get answers from visa experts when you need them, not automated responses.
For private travelers and business clients
Specialized services for both individual travelers and corporate visa needs.
Trusted help for popular destinations
Years of experience processing visas for the world's most visited countries.
With AllaVisum
98.7%
Expert document review
Every detail checked by specialists
Error prevention
Mistakes caught before submission
Up-to-date requirements
Always current with latest rules
Guided support
Help throughout the process
On your own
73.2%
Risk of missing documents
Easy to overlook requirements
Common form errors
Complex applications prone to mistakes
Changing requirements
Rules change frequently
No expert guidance
Solve problems on your own
FAQ Visitor visa to China to China
A visitor visa to China is a visa for people who want to visit family or relatives living in China.
The Q visa is used when the host is a Chinese citizen or a permanent resident of China. S visa is used when the host is a foreign national legally residing in China.
Q1 and S1 are used for longer stays and require that a residence permit be applied for after arrival. Q2 and S2 are used for short stays.
They are valid for 3 months from the date of issue and must be used within this period.
The permitted period of stay is 30, 60, 90 or 180 days per entry depending on the decision of the Chinese authorities.
Yes, holders of Q1 or S1 visas must apply for residency within 30 days of arriving in China.
Yes, Q2 and S2 visas can be issued as Single Entry, Double Entry, or Multiple Entry depending on the circumstances.
You will need a valid passport, visa application, photo, invitation letter and documents proving the relationship with the host in China.
The price starts from 3 085 per application and varies depending on the level of service (Standard, Express or Premium) as well as any additional services. You will see the final price on our website before completing your order.
The processing time depends on the Embassy's current workload. We prioritize premium and express applications. Standard processing takes about four weeks.
You can submit your application as soon as you have gathered all the necessary documents. We will check when it is time to submit the application to the embassy based on your planned travel date. The processing time depends on the Embassy's current workload. We prioritize premium and express applications.
At Alla Visum, we help you through the entire application process. We review your documents, help you complete the application correctly, and ensure that all documents meet the embassy's requirements before submitting the application. If the embassy or the authorities request additional documents, we will contact you and help you produce the right documents. We also follow up on your application and keep in touch with the embassy during the processing. Our goal is to make the process as simple and smooth as possible, while reducing the risk of delays and unnecessary rejections.
If you are planning an extended stay with family in China, a Q1 or S1 visa may be appropriate as it leads to the application for a residence permit after arrival.
Visitor visas do not allow work in China. If you are going to work, you need to apply for a work visa.
If the purpose of your stay is studies, you need to apply for a student visa instead of a visitor's visa.
For business trips, meetings, or commercial activities, a business visa may be more suitable than a visitor visa.
Visitor visas are specifically designed for people who want to visit family members or relatives in China.
In some cases, an extension can be applied for at the local immigration authorities in China. Decisions are always made by the Chinese authorities.
What happens next
- 1.Complete your order by making the payment.
- 2.Each traveler receives an email with a link to fill in their application form and upload the required documents.
- 3.We review your application and contact you if any details or documents need to be completed.
- 4.When your application is ready, we send your visa by email or post, according to the delivery option you chose.
Besöksvisum till Kina
Valid for
3 months to 1 year
Number of entries
Single entry or multiple entries
Max stay
180 days
Requirements for Visitor visa to China to China
- Copy of passport information page
- Visa photo
- Invitation
- Inviter's information