Chinese Business (M) Visa Application Requirements

Chinese Business (M) visa is required for those who are traveling to China for commercial or trade activities on the behalf of business in the US. M visa usually allow you to stay in China for up to 60 days per visit, and allow multiple entries for a term up to 10 years for US passport and Canadian passport holders. Passport holders from other countries will usually be issued single valid for 3 months or double entry valid for 6 months. 10 years visa is not guaranteed. The total length of a visa is at the sole discretion of the Consulate, and they may issue a limited entry or shorter duration visa. The requirements for Business (M) visa are detailed below.

Do not staple any of the documents together. The Consulate will reject all stapled applications. Paperclips may be used.

1: Original Passport Plus a Photocopy of the Name Page

Please include the original passport. The visa will be printed on your passport.
It is recommended that passports have at least 6 months left before expiration.
The passport should have at least 2 blank visa pages. Please keep in mind, this does not include the last 3 pages, as those are reserved by the US Department of State.
If you have previously held a Chinese Visa, please provide a photocopy of previous Chinese visa.
If previous Chinese visa is on an old passport, photocopy of old passport is required.
If you have a VALID Chinese visa on an old passport and would like to apply for a new visa, you will need to submit both old and current original passports.
Non-US passport holders must provide a photocopy of their proof of legal stay in the US. Green card, full copy off I-20 or long term US visa such as: L, H, F, TN. B1/B2 visa will not be eligible. Please do not send original unless the Chinese Consulate specifically request it.

Certain Non-US passport holders cannot apply for a visa through third parties or are blocked entry to China: we recommend to send an email inquiry or wait for Consulate announcements.

2: Your Visa Application Form

Complete the form online at cova.mfa.gov.cn, print, and sign it. Do not fill it out by hand or use a digital signature. All fields must be filled out. If not applicable, type “None” or “N/A.” After completing the form, click “Save,” and provide the application and passport numbers for review.

Your application form must be reviewed by us before you submit online. You will not be able to make changes after submitting.

3: One Recent Passport Photo

The photo needs to contain your full face on a white background.
The photo cannot be older than 6 months.
Your local drugstore (such as Walgreens or CVS) are great places to get a passport photo taken.
Please attach the photo to the application with a paperclip. Do not staple.

Please see: Chinese Visa Photo requirements

4: Address Verification

Photocopy of driver’s license or state ID
If you do not have either of the above, you may submit a utility bill

5: Invitation Letter from China

One of the following invitation letters is required:

An invitation letter of duly authorized unit issued by the Chinese Government.
A formal invitation letter issued by a company or institution in mainland China.

Invitation letter issued by the Chinese company or institution must include the following:

Applicant’s personal information such as: name, date of birth, passport number, full name of the company which the applicant works for in the US and the job title.
Major purpose of visit.
Cities the applicant will be visiting.
Date of arrival and departure (only dates for the first trip is needed).
Relationship between the sending company in the US and Chinese company that is inviting the applicant.
State who will bear the costs of the applicant’s accommodations in China.
China’s inviting person’s information such as: full name, job title, detail company address, fax , phone number of the inviting person.
Official seal of the company and signature of the inviting person.

Invitation letter from Chinese company or institution must be printed on official letterhead, showing company address,
phone and/or fax number. The letter must also have the official seal of the company or institution.
The invitation letter should avoid using words such as “training”, “working” or “internship”.
High quality scan or copy of the invitation letter is acceptable in most cases. Original invitation and/or personal interview
may be requested at Consulate’s discretion.

Sample of Business Invitation Letter:

6: Where You Stay From

Print and complete the Where You Stay Form: Click Here
It must be completed and signed by hand. No digital signatures allowed.

7: First-Time Applicants with Chinese Parents

Regardless of age, first-time applicants with Chinese parents must submit the following:

• A copy of their birth certificate
• Copies of their parents’ passports
• Proof of their parents’ legal status at the time of the applicant’s birth

If these documents cannot be provided, a travel document will be issued.

8: First-Time Applicants of Asian Descent

Applicants who appear to be of Asian descent are required to submit their birth certificate and copies of their parents’ passports.

9: Current U.S. Citizens Born Abroad:

If you were born outside of the U.S. but are now a U.S. citizen, you must provide a copy of your U.S. citizenship certificate along with your former passport.

10: Additional Requirements For Each Consulate

Main requirements for Chinese visa are usually the same across the Chinese Consulates, however, there are some certain requirements for each Chinese Consulate. Please visit Additional Requirements Based on Jurisdiction to see if any of the listed rules apply to you.

11: Special Requirements for Minors

If the applicant is under the age of 18, a copy of the birth certificate and both parents’ passports name page is required.
One of the parents must sign the form using the parent’s name in section 4 and 5.
A notarized letter of consent may be required for minor applicants if the parents is not also applying for a visa.