Problem-solving guide · policy checked September 29, 2026
Choose Q2 vs S2 from who the inviter is, then build the file around that relationship
What this page solves
Q2 or S2 (case-dependent) · Family / private visit
This page is the working path. Prepare the real files, request missing documents, clear the readiness conditions, jump to the problem you are facing, and use the official owner only for the final authoritative step.
Resolved here: what route to use, what to get, who to ask, what to say, what “done” looks like, and what to do when something goes wrong. Still external: a school/employer/inviter issuing their document and the authority accepting the final application.
Start from the difficulty you are facing
Which problem is stopping you?
Start with Q2 for a short family visit and collect the inviter’s Chinese ID copy plus invitation.
Open the full solution →Problem 02I am visiting a foreign family member working / studying in ChinaStart with S2 for a short family visit.
Open the full solution →Problem 03I am visiting only a friendDo not automatically claim Q2/S2 family status. Re-check the actual purpose and the category the mission wants for a private/friend visit.
Open the full solution →Problem 04My relationship document is not in the requested formatAsk whether translation, notarisation, authentication or another format is required by the local mission.
Open the full solution →Not listedMy situation is differentDescribe the blocker and generate a precise bilingual clarification request instead of guessing.
Describe my problem →Interactive resolution tool
Choose the family/private-visit branch from the inviter’s status first
This route benefits from a small form because Q2 vs S2 depends on who the inviter is and whether the relationship is actually a qualifying family relationship.
Ready to use
Your message
01 · Solve the difficulty first
Pick the exact problem and follow it until the blocker is cleared
The image is only a quick scene cue. The main content is the resolution path: immediate action, wording in the current interface language, escalation, and a clear finish condition. Staff-language wording is available only when you ask for it.
01Problem 01
I am visiting a Chinese-citizen relative
First move: Start with Q2 for a short family visit and collect the inviter’s Chinese ID copy plus invitation.
Start with Q2 for a short family visit and collect the inviter’s Chinese ID copy plus invitation.
Inviting relative / host for identity and invitation documents; responsible Chinese mission for Q2 vs S2 / local-document questions.
Your passport, inviter identity / residence status, exact relationship, invitation, and relationship evidence where relevant.
“I am visiting my [relationship], who is a Chinese citizen residing in China. I have the invitation and inviter ID copy. Is any additional local relationship evidence required?”
我将探望的是在中国居住的中国公民亲属。我已准备邀请函和邀请人的中国身份证件复印件。请确认当地受理点是否还要求额外的亲属关系证明。
If Q2 vs S2 is still unclear, identify the inviter’s status in China and your exact relationship, then ask the responsible mission to confirm the category before submitting any application.
Resolved when Q2/S2 (or another route) is confirmed from the inviter’s status and relationship, and the matching invitation / identity / relationship evidence is complete.
02Problem 02
I am visiting a foreign family member working / studying in China
First move: Start with S2 for a short family visit.
Start with S2 for a short family visit.
Inviting relative / host for identity and invitation documents; responsible Chinese mission for Q2 vs S2 / local-document questions.
Your passport, inviter identity / residence status, exact relationship, invitation, and relationship evidence where relevant.
“My [relationship] is a foreign national residing in China for work / study. I have their passport, residence permit, invitation and our relationship proof.”
我的[亲属关系]是在中国工作/学习并持居留许可的外国人。我已准备其护照、居留许可、邀请函以及我们的亲属关系证明。
If Q2 vs S2 is still unclear, identify the inviter’s status in China and your exact relationship, then ask the responsible mission to confirm the category before submitting any application.
Resolved when Q2/S2 (or another route) is confirmed from the inviter’s status and relationship, and the matching invitation / identity / relationship evidence is complete.
03Problem 03
I am visiting only a friend
First move: Do not automatically claim Q2/S2 family status. Re-check the actual purpose and the category the mission wants for a private/friend visit.
Do not automatically claim Q2/S2 family status. Re-check the actual purpose and the category the mission wants for a private/friend visit.
Inviting relative / host for identity and invitation documents; responsible Chinese mission for Q2 vs S2 / local-document questions.
Your passport, inviter identity / residence status, exact relationship, invitation, and relationship evidence where relevant.
“This is a visit to a friend, not a qualifying family relationship. Which visa category should I use for this private visit under your local instructions?”
这次是探望朋友，并不是符合家庭成员定义的亲属。我不会直接套用Q2/S2。请确认当地受理点希望我按哪一种私人访问目的申请。
If Q2 vs S2 is still unclear, identify the inviter’s status in China and your exact relationship, then ask the responsible mission to confirm the category before submitting any application.
Resolved when Q2/S2 (or another route) is confirmed from the inviter’s status and relationship, and the matching invitation / identity / relationship evidence is complete.
04Problem 04
My relationship document is not in the requested format
First move: Ask whether translation, notarisation, authentication or another format is required by the local mission.
Ask whether translation, notarisation, authentication or another format is required by the local mission.
Inviting relative / host for identity and invitation documents; responsible Chinese mission for Q2 vs S2 / local-document questions.
Your passport, inviter identity / residence status, exact relationship, invitation, and relationship evidence where relevant.
“I have a [marriage/birth/kinship] document issued in [country]. Do you require a translation, notarisation, authentication, or the original at submission?”
我的亲属关系证明由[国家]签发。请确认提交时是否要求原件、翻译、公证、认证或其他补充关系证明。
If Q2 vs S2 is still unclear, identify the inviter’s status in China and your exact relationship, then ask the responsible mission to confirm the category before submitting any application.
Resolved when Q2/S2 (or another route) is confirmed from the inviter’s status and relationship, and the matching invitation / identity / relationship evidence is complete.
Problem not listed?
Describe the blocker and turn it into a precise clarification request
Use this when your case does not match the scenarios above. The goal is not to guess the answer — it is to ask the responsible owner for the exact missing condition, document or route.
02 · Prepare the files
Get the actual documents ready
The real-world photo above shows the task context. The cards below tell you what each file is for and what to check. Example PDFs are secondary references only — not official templates.
Your current travel documentBasic applicant identity.
Match the invitation and form.
Use the same passport or travel document you will actually present for the trip. Check the expiry, document type and identity details before using any booking or invitation made from it.
Inviter / hostNeeded for Q2 and short-term S2 family visits.
Include traveler, visit, relationship, payer and inviter details.
Ask the inviter or host for a complete invitation that matches the real visit.
Could you please send me an invitation for my China visa application showing my full name and passport details, our relationship, visit purpose, arrival and departure dates, places I will visit or stay, who pays the trip, your contact details, and your signature?
Civil registry / issuing authorityS2 family visits require relationship evidence; Q2 focuses on inviter identity and invitation under the published instructions.
Use marriage, birth or other qualifying kinship evidence where required.
Get the marriage, birth or other qualifying relationship document from the relevant civil / public authority. Before submission, check whether your responsible Chinese mission requires translation, notarisation, authentication or the original.
I have a relationship document issued in [country] for my China family-visit visa application. Could you please confirm whether you require the original, a translation, notarisation, authentication, or any additional proof of relationship for my case?
03 · Ready-to-proceed gate
Do not continue until these conditions are actually true
This is not a generic task list. It is the final readiness gate: each checkbox means one real blocker has been removed. If a box is still unchecked, that tells you exactly what is still missing before you submit, travel, or rely on this route.
Stops you from moving forward with a route that still has an unresolved document, date, category or owner confirmation.
Only tick a row after the named result exists in your hands or has been confirmed by the responsible party.
When every row is ready, the page has reduced the problem to the one external step it cannot perform for you: the authoritative application or admission decision.
Readiness result
You still have unresolved conditions
Unchecked rows are not reading reminders. They are the exact document, date, category or owner confirmations that still block you from safely moving on.
04 · Final authoritative step
Now open the official owner with a specific job to do
You should already know the visa route, files and problem you are resolving. These links are for the authoritative rule / application step — not for restarting your research from scratch.
Compare Q2 and S2 sections.
Use after you know which family/private category applies.