We are foreigners who met in China & got engaged, can I apply for S1 without leaving China?

Hello,

I met my fiancee in China, we've been living together for 1.5 years and we're getting married next year. We're both foreigners and we both have Z right now. I want to know about changing L and Z, whichever I might be on after the wedding, into an S1. My fiancee has a good job, so after the wedding, we're planning for me to stop working and pursue a masters degree online, so I won't be able to get another Z. What do we need to do to change an L or Z into an S1?

I know we need the notorized documents from our embassies that prove we're not already married. And of course all of the things mentioned above, invitation letter from the husband, copies of his passport, visa, residence permit, my passport, residence permit, application form, photos, photocopies etc...

But what about a marriage certificate? We plan to be married in Mexico, can we take the Mexican marriage certificate to the office here? Do we need a Chinese marriage certificate?

I read that it's possible to apply for the S1 before the wedding if you are engaged. You can show a rental contract that proves you've been living together for 1 year+ instead of a marriage certificate, is this correct? Depending on the job/situation in the months before the wedding, it might be more convenient to apply for the S1 before flying to Mexico. I don't want to hang out alone in Mexico waiting for papers to come through!

Also, if you are on an S1, can you leave China and reenter for holidays and things?

Thank you very much for all of your help and for your great website!