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Pathway

China Citizen Family Residence

China Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

You may be able to join a Chinese citizen or foreign permanent resident in China for more than 180 days. The Q1 visa is followed by a residence permit; neither gives you permission to work.

Who you join
A Chinese citizen or foreign permanent resident living in China
Family covered
Spouse, parent, child or child’s spouse, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, or parent-in-law, with official relationship records
After arrival
Complete the residence process within 30 days

Summary

If your relative is a Chinese citizen living in China, or a foreign citizen with permanent residence there, you may be able to join them for more than 180 days. You first apply for a Q1 visa, then arrange a residence permit after arrival.

Each person needs their own application. This family permission lets you live together, but it does not give you permission to work.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

The relative you can join

Accepted family relationships include spouses, parents, children and their spouses, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, and parents-in-law. Your relative must live in China and be either a Chinese citizen or a foreign permanent resident.

If your relative is a foreign worker or student with temporary residence, check the S1 family route instead. The separate Q1 rules for foster care are outside this guide.

Your documents and arrival

You need your relative's invitation, proof of their citizenship or permanent residence, and an original marriage certificate, birth certificate, or other accepted record proving the relationship. Ask the consulate which documents need translation or official certification. If you previously held Chinese nationality, ask how that affects your application.

This route is for a stay longer than 180 days. After entering with a Q1 visa, complete the residence-permit process within 30 days.

Joining family in China
  1. Check your family connection Confirm your relative lives in China and has citizenship or permanent residence.
  2. Apply for the Q1 visa Include the invitation and records proving your relationship.
  3. Arrange your residence permit After Q1 entry Complete the residence process within 30 days after entry.

Each family member needs an application. Family residence does not give permission to work.

What This Route Allows

An approved residence permit lets you live with your family in China for the period shown on the permit. It does not authorize employment; you need the required work approval before taking a job.

Before renewing, check whether a change in your relative's status or a child's age affects the application.

What This Route Is Not

This does not give you Chinese citizenship or permanent residence. It also does not allow you to settle in Hong Kong or Macao, which have separate immigration rules.

A short family visit uses a different application. Approval for one relative does not mean everyone in the family is approved.

Next Steps

  1. Check that your relative's status and your relationship fit the Q1 rules.
  2. Collect the invitation, relationship records, and your relative's identity or permanent-residence documents.
  3. Ask the consulate about translations, certification, and any previous Chinese nationality before applying.
  4. After arrival, complete local registration and the residence-permit process within the required deadlines.
  5. Check the permit's expiry date and arrange separate work approval if you intend to take a job.

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Discussed in these reports

Other routes in China.

Sources