Private visa service, not the Chinese Embassy. British passport? You can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days until 31 December 2026. Check if you need a visaMon–Fri 9am–4pm · Manchester 0161 956 2003 · London 020 7205 2282
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China family visa from the UK(Q1 and Q2 visas).

The China family visa is for visiting or joining family members who are Chinese citizens or have permanent residence in China: Q2 for short visits and Q1 for longer stays. We check your invitation and relationship documents and prepare your China family visa application.

Start China family visa application Call 0161 956 2003
  • Q1 or Q2Long stay or short visit
  • InvitationFrom your family member in China
  • £301Standard, all in
  • £357Express, all in

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What a China family visa covers

Visiting relatives

Short visits to family in China (Q2).

Joining family

Living with your family in China (Q1).

Foster care

Q1 can also cover foster care arrangements.

Not covered by a China family visa

  • Work
  • Study
  • Visiting foreign nationals who live in China, which needs an S visa

Documents you’ll need

DocumentDetailsNeeded
PassportYour original passport, valid for at least 6 months after you arrive, with at least 2 blank visa pages, plus a copy of the photo page.Required
PhotoOne recent colour photo, 33 × 48 mm, on a plain white background, no glasses, face and ears clearly visible. We check it before your appointment.Required
Online application formThe official Chinese visa application form, completed and printed with its confirmation page.We prepare
Invitation letterFrom your family member in China: your details, the purpose and dates of the visit, your relationship, and their details and signature.Required
Inviter’s IDA copy of their Chinese ID card, or passport and permanent residence card.Required
Proof of relationshipMarriage or birth certificate, or a certificate of kinship. Needed for Q1.If applicable
Previous Chinese visasA copy of your last Chinese visa, if you’ve had one. Former Chinese citizens need extra documents, which we’ll explain.If applicable
UK residence statusIf you’re not a British citizen: your UK visa, BRP or eVisa share code page showing you live here legally.If applicable

Upload them from your phone. We check every document and resize it to the official limits before we submit.

All documents must be in English or Chinese. Upload them from your phone and we check every one before your appointment.

  1. 1

    Apply online

    Answer a few questions and upload your passport, photo and documents.

  2. 2

    We check and book

    We complete the official form, check every document and book your appointment.

  3. 3

    We submit your application

    We hand in your passport at the visa centre. No fingerprints needed for short-term visas until 31 December 2026.

  4. 4

    Collect your visa

    Your passport comes back with the visa inside, usually within 3 to 4 working days.

Rules to know before you travel

British passport? You may not need a visa

Until 31 December 2026, British citizens can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, visiting family or friends, exchanges and transit. You still need a visa for longer stays, work, study or journalism. Check if you need a visa

Fingerprints depend on how long you’ll stay

Short-stay Q2 visas (up to 180 days) don’t need fingerprints until 31 December 2026, so we can submit your application at the visa centre for you. Long-stay Q1 visas lead to a residence permit in China, so you still attend the visa centre once to give fingerprints. We book that appointment and prepare everything you take with you.

Passport rules

Your passport must be valid for at least six months after you enter China and have at least two blank visa pages. If yours is close to expiry, renew it first.

Residence permit after you arrive

This visa lets you enter China. To stay longer, you apply for a residence permit at the local public security bureau, usually within 30 days of arriving.

Need a visa for your team?

We handle China visas for companies of every size, from one-off trips to regular travellers.

Corporate accounts

Fees

The embassy fee and our service fee, shown separately, so you always know where your money goes.

VisaProcessing timeEntriesEmbassy feeOur feeTotal you pay
Standard serviceFamily (Q1 or Q2) visaUsually 4 working daysSingle, double or multiple£151£150£301
Express serviceFamily (Q1 or Q2) visaUsually 3 working daysSingle, double or multiple£182£175£357

Embassy fees shown are those charged by the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre to British passport holders, and may differ for other nationalities. They aren’t refundable, even if the visa is refused. Our fee is per person and includes checking your documents, completing the online form and booking your appointment.

Need it quickly? Choose express service when you apply. Tell us your travel date and we’ll tell you the latest day to submit.

Q1 or Q2: which China family visa do I need?

  • Q2 visa: for short visits of up to 180 days to relatives who are Chinese citizens or permanent residents.
  • Q1 visa: for family members of Chinese citizens or permanent residents who are going to live in China for more than 180 days, for example to join a husband or wife. You apply for a residence permit after arriving.

China family visa requirements

You need an invitation letter from your family member in China, a copy of their Chinese ID or permanent residence card, and for Q1 visas proof of your relationship, such as a marriage or birth certificate. These certificates may need to be legalised for use in China.

Related pages

Family of foreigners (S1, S2)Invitation letters

Questions people ask

Do British citizens need a Q2 visa to visit family?

Until 31 December 2026, family visits of up to 30 days are covered by the visa-free policy for British citizens. Longer visits need a Q2 visa.

What if my relative in China is not a Chinese citizen?

If they’re a foreign national working or studying in China, you need a China S visa instead.

How long does a China visa take?

The visa centre usually processes standard applications in 4 working days and express applications in 3 working days, after your appointment. Allow extra time to prepare and book the appointment.

Do I need to go to the visa centre?

For a short-stay Q2 visa, not usually: fingerprints aren’t needed until 31 December 2026, so we submit your application for you. For a long-stay Q1 visa, yes. You attend once to give fingerprints, and we book the appointment.

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Start online in about 10 minutes, or call us if you’d rather talk first.

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