Family Visa

[Shenzhen 34]

Hello,

My wife is a Chinese citizen we now have a daughter born here in the US. We plan on going to China in spring of 2014. Is anyone familiar with obtaining a Chinese family visa? I read they can be good up to 5 years multiple entry, I already had a few visas for 2 yrs multiple entry. Is there a specific company that can handle the paper work or just send our info. to the China embassy. Appreciate the help thank you.

[Removed030114 48]

Hello,

My wife is a Chinese citizen we now have a daughter born here in the US. We plan on going to China in spring of 2014. Is anyone familiar with obtaining a Chinese family visa? I read they can be good up to 5 years multiple entry, I already had a few visas for 2 yrs multiple entry. Is there a specific company that can handle the paper work or just send our info. to the China embassy. Appreciate the help thank you.

Because your wife is a Chinese citizen, she will not need a visa to enter China. However, she will need a green card or travel document to re-enter the US. Your daughter will need a US passport, and so will you. Send both your daughter's passport and your passport to a Chinese visa processing company along with the application and associated fee.

You might try this company for your daughter and your Chinese Visa:

My China Visa

Edited December 7, 2013 by CNTrav

[ama537621 3]

I have used My china visa 3 times. 2 for tourist and 1 for work Visa, always fast and easy

[Shenzhen 34]

Thanks I was wondering if anyone ever got a 5 year family visa or just apply and hope for the best?

[Removed030114 48]

Thanks I was wondering if anyone ever got a 5 year family visa or just apply and hope for the best?

I have more than ten Chinese Visas in my passport, including work visas and have never heard of any kind of Chinese Visa that is good for five years. Also never heard of a "family visa." Every Chinese Visa is given on a case by case basis to individuals only. In other words, you need to complete one application and pay the fee for yourself. Then, you need to complete an application for your daughter and pay the fee.

These are the options available to you:

Take a look at the website and the application.

http://www.mychinavisa.com/pdf/ChinaVisaApplicationForm201309.pdf

A five year Chinese Visa may be something the CCP has considered highly educated and skilled professionals, but not something that would even be considered for 95% of the world's population:

Five-year visas for foreigners on wayUpdated: 2013-05-04 00:45 By Chen Xin ( China Daily)

Draft rule aims to attract talented professionals China urgently needs

Foreign talent will soon be eligible for China visas valid for up to five years, under a draft regulation.

The draft was released by the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council on Friday, and public opinion is being sought for a month. It states that China will grant two new types of visa, R1 and R2, for foreign professionals.

Five-year visas for foreigners on way Both types will be granted to foreign talent and professionals at senior level that the country urgently needs, according to the draft.

A R1 visa will come with residency rights, while a R2 visa will allow multiple entry and exits.

Liu Guofu, an immigration law specialist at the Beijing Institute of Technology, said R1 visa holders can apply for a residence permit for up to five years, while a R2 visa will allow professionals to stay in China for 180 days at a time.

The regulation will be implemented under the Exit and Entry Administration Law, which takes effect in July.

Visa holders should be experts recognized by provincial-level governments and above, and professionals that China urgently needs, according to the regulation.

Earlier rules endorsed by five ministry-level departments state that foreign professionals working on projects carried out by central government departments and centrally administered enterprises, and talent introduced through provincial-level recruitment programs, can benefit from the new long-term visas.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-05/04/content_16474513.htm

http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84246.htm

Edited December 8, 2013 by CNTrav

[Removed030114 48]

You may also want to consider the logistics of getting a multiple entry visa. While it may be convenient if you plan a lot of travel back and forth to the mainland, it's important to remember that if you stay in a private residence in the mainland, that you MUST by Chinese law register at the local police station. That registration is good for only 90-days. After 90-days elapses, you must exit the mainland, and re-enter the mainland. Many accomplish this requirement by going to Hong Kong for a day, getting the stamp, and then going back to the police station to re-register.

Keep in mind that if you stay in a hotel on the mainland, that the hotel will take care of the registration for you. Some may suggest that it's not needed to register your private residence with the police, but there are thousands of expats and tourists who wished they had. Heavy fines may be levied, up to and including deportation for serious violations.

[Shenzhen 34]

FYI they do go up to 5 yrs. It's residence permit. Q1 is issued to relatives of Chinese citizens applying to enter and reside in China for purposes of family reunion, and to those who apply for family reunion of foreigners with Permanent Residency in China, as well as to persons applying to enter and reside in China for foster care, adoption and other reasons; Q2 is issued to relatives of Chinese citizens or foreigners with permanent residence in China for a short period of stay (less than 6 months).

Q1 is generally issued with a single entry and 30 days, and the holders must apply for Temporary Residence Permit within 30 days after entry. The residence permit can be granted for a minimum of 90 days and a maximum of 5 years. So, holders can exit and reenter freely during the validity of the residence permit. Q2 is flexible from 30 to 180 days, allows single, double, or multiple entries, and the holders can stay in China within the duration period as indicated on visa.

Thanks to all that applied

Also have a q2 for stays less than 6 months.

Edited December 9, 2013 by Shenzhen

[SBB 74]

I don't know if they issue 5 year Q2s, but I just got my 2-year Q2 visa (and a Q2 is what you'll be getting, a Q1 is if you're going to China and never leaving). I needed to bring a copy of my marriage license, my wife's Chinese ID card, my father-in-law's ID card and an invitation letter from my father-in-law (we needed my father-in-law involved since the invitation letter, according to the instructions on the consular website, needed to be from someone actually living in China). They also wanted to see a photocopy of the info page from my wife's passport. I went to the consulate in person, but I guess any of the visa services should work, though they may not be familiar with some of the new visa requirements yet.