With the opening-up of China's policies, the issuance process for visas to China has become more convenient and efficient. The grand holding of the Canton Fair has attracted a large number of foreign businesspeople to China for business exchanges, seeking cooperation and investment opportunities. However, due to the validity limitations of visas, some foreign nationals with immediate family members in China hope to convert their visas into long-term family reunion residence permits. But when they consult the local entry and exit administration departments, they are informed that the current visa type they hold cannot be directly converted into a family reunion residence permit. Instead, they need to reapply for a Q1 visa outside China before applying for a family reunion residence permit upon entry. This change has caused confusion among many foreign nationals. They have expressed that their friends around them had previously successfully applied for family reunion residence permits, so why is it not feasible now?
隨著對華政策的開放，來華簽證的簽發流程變得更爲簡便高效。廣交會的盛大舉行更是吸引了大批外籍商人赴華進行商務交流、尋求合作與投資機遇。然而，由于簽證的有效期限制，部分在華有直系家屬的外籍人士希望將簽證轉換爲長期的團聚居留許可。但當他們向當地出入境管理部門咨詢時，卻被告知當前所持有的簽證類型無法直接轉爲團聚居留，而是需要在境外重新申請Q1簽證入境後方可申請。這一變化讓許多外籍人士感到困惑，他們紛紛表示，之前身邊的朋友都是順利辦理團聚居留的，爲何現在卻行不通了呢？
With the relaxation of visa policies for entry into China, certain regions indeed require individuals holding non-residence permits or entering China on a non-Q1 visa to exit the country and re-apply for a Q1 visa before converting it to a family reunion residence permit. To help everyone better understand the relevant issues surrounding the application of various visas for family residence, we have compiled several common scenarios to share with you, hoping to provide practical guidance.隨著來華簽證政策的放寬，部分地區對持有非居留許可或Q1簽證入境的人士，確實需要按規定出境後重新申請Q1入境，才能進而轉換爲團聚居留。爲了幫助大家更好地理解各類簽證申請家庭居留的相關問題，我們整理了幾個常見情況與大家分享，希望能爲大家提供實用指導。
Q&A on Common Questions about Foreigners' Family Reunion Residence in China
外國人來華團聚居留常見疑問 Q&A
Q: When foreigners come to China for family visits, how should they choose between applying for a Q1 visa or a Q2 visa?
Q: 外國人來華探親時，應如何選擇申請Q1還是Q2簽證？A: The Q1 visa is applicable to foreigners who need to reside in China for family reunions, including family members of Chinese citizens, family members of foreigners with permanent residency status in China, and those who need to enter and reside in China for reasons such as foster care. These family members specifically include spouses, parents, parents-in-law, children, spouses of children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. When choosing between a Q1 and Q2 visa, foreigners should consider the length of their intended stay in China, the nature of their relationship with the host family, and the specific requirements of each visa type.
A: Q1簽證適用于那些因家庭團聚需要在中國境內居留的外國人，包括中國公民的家庭成員、具有中國永久居留資格的外國人的家庭成員，以及因寄養等原因需入境居留的人員。這些家庭成員具體涵蓋配偶、父母、配偶的父母、子女、子女的配偶、兄弟姐妹、祖父母、外祖父母、孫子女及外孫子女。
The Q2 visa, on the other hand, is designed for relatives of Chinese citizens residing in China or relatives of foreigners with permanent residency status in China who plan to visit China for a short-term stay (not exceeding 180 days).
而Q2簽證則是爲那些計劃短期（不超過180天）來中國探親的居住在中國境內的中國公民親屬或具有中國永久居留資格的外國人的親屬而設。
Therefore, when foreigners are choosing between applying for a Q1 or Q2 visa for family visits, they primarily need to consider the purpose of their visit and the length of their planned stay. For long-term residency and family reunions, they should apply for a Q1 visa, while for short-term visits, they can choose a Q2 visa.因此，外國人在選擇申請Q1還是Q2簽證時，主要需考慮其探親的目的和計劃居留的時間長短。長期居留探親應申請Q1簽證，而短期探親則可選擇Q2簽證。
Q: Can a foreign partner holding an M, L, or S visa apply for long-term residence for their lover after entering China?
Q：外籍伴侶持有M、L、S簽證入境後，能否爲戀人辦理長期居留呢？A: If the couple has not yet obtained a legal marriage certificate, they cannot apply for reunion residence solely based on their romantic relationship.
A：若男女雙方尚未領取法定結婚證書，是無法僅憑男女朋友關系來申請團聚居留的。
The basic application conditions for reunion residence permit are as follows:
團聚居留許可的基本申請條件如下：
1.The applicant must have a Chinese national relative residing in China;
1.申請人需有中國籍親屬在國內；
2.Provide identity and household registration materials of the Chinese national relative, such as an ID card, household registration book, etc.;
2.提供中國籍親屬的身份及戶籍證明材料，例如身份證、戶口本等；
3.It is also necessary to provide documentary evidence of the relationship with the Chinese relative, such as a notarized birth certificate, marriage certificate, or other relationship certificates.
3.還需提供與中國親屬的關系證明材料，如出生證明、婚姻證明等關系公證書。
Q: Can a foreign minor child under 18 years old who is fostered in China apply for reunion residence?
Q：寄養在國內的未滿18周歲外籍未成年子女，能否辦理團聚居留？A: For foreign-born Chinese or overseas Chinese children under 18 years old who are fostered in China, the foster carer can submit an application to the exit-entry administration agency of the public security organ located in the place of household registration or primary residence. These agencies can issue residence permits for these children, with a validity period not exceeding 3 years, and the expiration date of the residence permit shall not exceed the child's 18th birthday.
A：對于寄養在國內、尚未滿18周歲的外籍華人、華僑子女，寄養受托人可以向戶籍或主要生活所在地的公安機關出入境管理機構提出申請。這些機構可以爲這些孩子簽發居留證件，其有效期最長不超過3年，且居留期截止日期不得超過孩子18周歲的日期。
When applying, a series of necessary materials must be submitted, including the child's birth certificate and copies of the foreign parents' passports. If both or one of the parents hold Chinese nationality, a copy of the overseas settlement certificate is also required. Additionally, a letter of entrustment from both or one of the parents, as well as a letter of entrustment from the foster carer, specifying the details of the entrusted custody or guardianship and the duration of the fosterage, must be provided. Furthermore, the foster carer needs to present proof of local permanent residence or a residence certificate indicating at least six months of residence in the actual place of residence, along with their resident identity card.
申請時，需提交一系列必要材料，包括孩子的出生證明、外籍父母的護照複印件。若父母雙方或一方爲中國國籍，還需提供境外定居證明的複印件。此外，還需提交父母雙方或一方的委托書，以及寄養受托人的受托書，明確注明委托撫養或監護事宜、寄養年限等內容。同時，寄養受托人還需提供本地常住戶籍證明或實際居住地6個月以上的居住證明以及居民身份證。
Q: Which visas can foreigners hold to enter China and directly apply for reunion residence?
Q：外國人持有哪些簽證入境，可以直接辦理團聚居留？
A: According to the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Entry and Exit Administration of Foreigners, the processing of long-term residence permits is mainly carried out through the Q1 visa for family reunion residence. The Q2 visa, on the other hand, is specifically designed for foreign relatives visiting China for short-term stays. It is worth noting that for those who do not hold a Q1 visa, some cities have explicitly required them to exit China first and then apply for a Q1 visa upon entry to be able to apply for family reunion residence. Therefore, when applying for family reunion residence, it is crucial to understand and comply with the relevant visa regulations.
A：根據《中華人民共和國外國人入境出境管理條例》的規定，辦理長期居留許可主要是通過Q1簽證進行家庭團聚居留的辦理。而Q2簽證則是專爲短期來華探親居住的外籍親屬而設。值得注意的是，對于非Q1簽證持有者，部分城市已經明確要求他們需要先出境，然後申請Q1簽證入境，才能辦理家庭團聚居留。因此，在申請團聚居留時，請務必了解並遵守相關簽證規定。
Q: Can foreigners holding Q1 visas directly apply for reunion residence upon entry into China?
Q：外國人持有Q1簽證入境，是否一定可以直接辦理團聚居留？
A: Not necessarily. If the relationship supporting documents provided by the applicant are issued by a foreign institution, these documents will need to be authenticated by the Hague Apostille Convention before they can be used domestically. The specific documents required for authentication vary depending on the nature of the relationship. For example, if relying on a marital relationship, authentication of an overseas marriage certificate is required, and if relying on a parent-child relationship, authentication of an overseas birth certificate is necessary. The requirements for receiving documents domestically should be consulted for accurate guidance. Therefore, in addition to holding a Q1 visa, it is also necessary to ensure that the provided supporting documents meet the relevant authentication requirements when applying for reunion residence.
A：不一定可以直接辦理。如果申請人提供的關系證明材料是由國外機構出具的，那麽這些材料需要經過海牙認證後才能在國內使用。具體所需認證文件，如依靠夫妻關系需要提供海外結婚證明認證，依靠父母關系需要提供海外出生證明認證，還需以國內接收文件單位的要求爲准。因此，在辦理團聚居留時，除了持有Q1簽證外，還需確保所提供的證明材料符合相關認證要求。
Q: Can foreigners directly apply for permanent residence in China after obtaining a reunion residence permit?
Q：外國人辦理了團聚居留許可後，能否直接申請中國永久居留？
A: Many foreigners who have lived in China for a long time aspire to apply for a Chinese resident identity card to enjoy a more convenient life. For foreigners holding reunion residence permits, especially those relying on marital relationships to live in China, they indeed have the opportunity to apply for permanent residence in China. However, this application is not achieved overnight and requires meeting a series of conditions.
A：許多外籍人士在華生活久了，都希望能申請到中國的居民身份證，享受更加便捷的生活。對于持團聚居留許可的外籍人士，尤其是那些依靠夫妻關系在華生活的，他們確實有機會申請中國的永久居留權。但這一申請並非一蹴而就，需要滿足一系列條件。
Specifically, the application conditions for permanent residence based on marital reunification include the following:
具體而言，夫妻團聚類永久居留的申請條件包括：
1.Applicants must abide by Chinese laws and regulations, be in good physical health, and have no criminal record.
1.申請人必須遵守中國的法律法規，身體健康，且沒有犯罪記錄。
2.The applicant must be the spouse of a Chinese citizen with a permanent household registration or a foreigner who has obtained permanent residence status in China.
2.申請人需爲具有常住戶籍的中國公民或已在中國獲得永久居留資格的外國人的配偶。
3.The marital relationship must have existed for a minimum of five years.
3.婚姻關系必須存續滿五年。
4.After getting married, the applicant needs to have resided continuously in China for a minimum of five years, with each year's residence period in China being no less than nine months.
4.婚後需在中國連續居留滿五年，且每年在中國居留的時間不少于九個月。
5.The applicant must also possess a stable source of livelihood and accommodation.
5.申請人還需具備穩定的生活保障和住所。
The application requirements for permanent residence under the parent-child category are as follows:
親子類永久居留的申請條件如下：
1.The applicant must be under 18 years of age and unmarried.
1.申請人需未滿18周歲，且爲未婚狀態。
2.Both or one of the applicant's parents must be Chinese citizens with permanent household registration in China, or both or one of the applicant's parents must be foreigners who possess permanent residence status in China.
2.申請人的父母雙方或其中一方必須爲中國公民，並具備國內常住戶籍；或者，申請人的父母雙方或其中一方需爲擁有中國永久居留資格的外國人。
3.The applicant must undergo a review in accordance with China's nationality law to confirm their foreign nationality.
3.申請人必須根據我國國籍法經過審查，確認其具備外國國籍。
Friendly Reminder:
溫馨提示：
If you are applying for family reunification residence for the first time and are not familiar with the application process, or if you are concerned that there may be many oversights in the materials you provide, which may affect the visa application, please do not worry too much. You can contact our customer service team at any time for consultation, and we will be happy to provide you with detailed answers and personalized application plans to help you successfully complete the process of family reunification residence.
如果您是首次辦理家屬團聚居留，對辦理流程不太熟悉，或者擔心提供的材料存在較多疏漏而影響到簽證的辦理，不必過于焦慮。您隨時可以聯系我們的客服團隊進行咨詢，我們將竭誠爲您提供詳細的解答和個性化的申請方案，幫助您順利完成團聚居留的辦理過程。
