China Business Visa

The China business visa is also known as an M visa. This business visa is issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and trade purposes, such as business meetings, workshops, training sessions, etc.

Who Can Apply for a China Business Visa?

Every foreign national can apply for a China business visa unless they are from one of the countries that meet China’s visa-free policy. There are certain countries that have special agreements with China which makes them benefit from specific visas, as follows

• The United States: up to 10 years business visa.
• Canada: up to 9 years business visa.
• Argentina: up to 10 years business visa.
• Israel: up to 10 years business visa.
• The United Kingdom: up to 2 years business visa.

In addition, there are a few cases when you can have other benefits:

• Foreigners who already had a business visa are entitled to ask for a 1-year business visa.
• Those living in Hong Kong and having an HKID card are also entitled to a 1-year business visa.
• APAC citizens with an ABTC (APEC Business Travel Card) with the word “CHN” on the back can travel to China for up to 60 days on business without a visa.
• Holders of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao passports will have a special travel permit valid for up to 10 years.
• Foreigners going from Hong Kong to Shenzhen for a business trip can have a 5-day visa, and those going from Macao to Zhuhai for a business trip can enjoy a 3-day visa when they arrive.

How to Apply for a China Business Visa?

When applying for a China business visa, you need to complete the following steps:

• Prepare the required documents as per the checklist provided by the embassy. The decision on your visa application will be greatly based on the submitted documents; therefore, it is extremely important for you to have them ready when you apply for a business visa. The checklist below in the section “What Are the Requirements for a China Business Visa?”, will help you find out the required documents.
• Complete your visa application form. As part of the requirements, you must also complete the visa application form. You are required to answer all the questions on the form and then print it out. Put it together with the other documents.
• Book an appointment with the Chinese embassy or consulate. Find the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate based on your country of residence and book a visa appointment.
• Attend the visa appointment. After scheduling your appointment, take the required documents with you and go to the embassy or consulate. There, you submit them and go through an interview. In addition, if you are aged between 14 to 70 years old, you will have your biometric information collected.
• Pay your visa application fee. You are required to pay the visa application fee, a service fee, and tax. The cost will vary depending on your nationality.
• Wait for the processing time and get your visa. Usually, you will have to wait 4 working days for your application to be processed, but if you have a special or emergency situation, you may request express (2 or 3 business days) with an additional fee. If your visa application is approved, you can go and get your passport with the China business visa in it.

What Are the Requirements for a China Business Visa?

When applying for a China business visa, you are required to submit a list of documents. The list of documents includes the following:

• A visa application form. A fully completed application form that you can find online. You must answer all questions honestly and accurately.
• Original passport.Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of application, with at least two blank pages. Photocopy of passport’s bio page and extension page (if applicable).
• A recent passport-sized photograph.The photo should follow the China visa photo requirements, with a dimension of 48mm x 33mm.
• Certificate of employment. The certificate of employment should state the applicant’s name, passport number, job position, purpose of visit to China, and include a photocopy of the employee’s card.
• A business cover letter. The letter must be addressed to the Embassy of China and be from the company based in your country.
• Letter of invitation.The letter of invitation should be issued by a trade partner in China, a trade fair organizer, etc. It may be in the form of a fax, photocopy, or computer printout, and contain the following information:
• Information of the applicant (including full name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.)
• Details of the planned visit (including the purpose of the visit, arrival and departure dates, the place to visit, the relationship between the applicant and the inviting party, details of financial support, etc.)
• Information of the inviting party (including name, contact phone number, address, official stamp, and signature of the legal representative or individual)
• Company certificate and tax clearance record.
• Proof of covid-19 vaccination.
• Documents showing the itinerary of your trip. The documents include an air ticket booking record (round trip) and proof of hotel reservation.
• Proof of financial subsistence. You need to submit an original bank statement of the last 4 months, which is signed and stamped by the bank. The average amount in the bank account for each person should not be less than HK$2764.98.

How Long Can I Stay With a China Business Visa?

The Chinese business visa (M visa) is valid for a maximum of 6 months, with one, two, or multiple entries and a stay of 30 days for each entry.

US, UK, Canadian, and Argentine citizens can get a 10-year China business visa that allows them to enter China multiple times with a maximum period of stay of 2 months per entry.

If the issued period of your stay is insufficient for you, you may request an extension. You will have to go to the local exit and entry administration at least seven days before your visa expires to get an extension.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a China Business Visa?

Depending on your country of citizenship and whether you want expedited service, the cost of the China business visa varies. The visa fees for a China business visa include the following: