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China Business Visa (M)

China business visa or trade visa, M visa for short, is issued to foreigners coming for commercial and trade activities, such as attending trade fairs, visiting clients and factories, negotiating with clients, and signing contracts. The validity period of China M visa is three months in most cases, while the allowed duration of stay is usually 30 days and can be longer depending on applicants' personal cases. For Canada, Argentina, and US citizens, they can even get a 10-year China business visa.

 China M or F visa used to confuse many foreign visitors. From 2013, the original F is divided into M and F. The former is for business and trade, while today’s China F visa applies to noncommercial sci-tech and culture exchanges.
 

China Business Visa Requirements & Documents

 Basic Documents for M Visa China:

1. Valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity and more than one blank visa page; and a copy of the information page.

2. A completed typewritten application form with a recently-taken color photo. 

3. Proof of legal stay or residence if you are applying from a third country.

4. China Business Visa Invitation Letter
According to China M visa rules, one of the following is required:
1). Invitation letter issued by a Chinese business or trade partner.
2). Invitation letter or confirmation letter of invitation issued by duly authorized Chinese institutes or relevant units.
3). Invitation letter of a trade fair.


 China invitation letter for business visa should cover:

a. The applicant’s information including full name, birth date, passport number, etc.

b. Information about the intended business visit, including purpose, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, etc.

c. Information about the inviter including name, contact number, address, signature, official stamp, etc.
 

How to Apply for China Business M Visa

You can submit your application for Chinese business visa to the CVASC (Chinese Visa Application Center). In some countries like US, you need to submit the application to the consular office of Chinese embassies or consulates. Usually, an appointment is needed before going for the submission. 
 

Processing Time

It regularly takes 4 working days for processing the application. However, the express service and rush service are also available if you want to pick up your M visa earlier. Extra USD 30 should be paid for the same-day collection; and additional USD 20 for the second or third day collection.
 

Chinese Business Visa Fees

China business visa fees are the same as that of tourist visas. The applicant’s nationality and number of entries make a difference. Generally China multiple-entry business visa cost more. In countries where there are CVASC, you need to pay both the Chinese M visa fee and the service fee to the center.

China Business Visa Types US Citizens Canadian Citizens UK Citizens Australian Citizens
Single Entry USD 185 CAD 142 GBP 151 AUD 109.5
Double Entries USD 185 CAD 142 GBP 151 AUD 139.5
Multi Entries for 6 Months USD 185 CAD 142 GBP 151 AUD 169.5
Multi Entries for 12 Months or Longer USD 185 CAD 142 GBP 151 AUD 229.5

*The table is for reference only. For more details, please click China Visa Fees.
 

Visa Extension

After entering China, if the duration of stay cannot cover your trip, it’s possible to go to the local exit and entry administration to apply for a China business visa extension at least seven days before the original M visa expires. Usually it costs CNY 168 for a single extension.
 

Best trade fairs in China

Canton Fair in Guangzhou: April 15 to May 5; October 15 to November 4 annually
Yiwu International Commodities Fair: October 21 to 25 annually
East China Fair in Shanghai: March 1 to 5 annually
China Hi Tech Fair in Shenzhen: November 16 to 21 annually
Western China International Fair in Chengdu: late October biennially
Beijing International Automotive Exhibition: late April biennially
 

Plan a short trip during your time off

Although you may have a tight schedule during the business trip in China, you can plan a short excursion in your time off with China business visa. On working days, you can hang out at night and wander around the most bustling areas in the city. While on weekends, it’s a nice idea to book a one-day or two-day tour to take a glance of the city. If travelling between two cities, take high speed train as the first choice if the duration is less than 5 hours, as it’s more comfortable with wider leg space compared with flight.

 


Further Reading: China F Visa

F visa is issued to foreigners invited to China for a noncommercial exchange, investigation or visits for scientific and technological education, cultural exchanges, health or sports activities. In some situations foreigners with a need to travel frequently in and out of China over a longer period may be granted a 12-month multiple entry F visa. The F type has been used as a 'catch all' option.  Consular offices have been willing to issue China F visa, relatively easily and often for longer durations than a tourist L visa.

 8 Tips for Filling Out Chinese Visa Application Form
 Top 8 Reasons Why Your China Visa Gets Rejected

- Last updated on Dec. 10, 2023 by Kate Liu -
Questions & Answers on China Business Visa
Asked by osc from SWEDEN | Jan. 17, 2024 22:09Reply
problem with china visa center processing times
hello! im having a problem with the china via center in stockholm. i applied for a business via which should have been done at the beginning of january (4 day visa), its now almost a month later and my flight has already been booked and they still have not processed the visa now they are telling me to take back the passport which will 'pause' the visa process but this entirely defeats the purpose of getting the visa for my trip to china in the first place. what can be done? when i call the visa center they tell me to call the embassy, when i call the embassy they tell me to call the visa center and then ultimately they just hang up on me.
Answers (1)
Answered by Lily | Jan. 18, 2024 17:05
00Reply


I'm so sorry about your experience.

Recently China eases the Port Visa application to offer more convenience to foreigners who urgently seek to visit China for non-diplomatic or nonofficial purposes, such as business activities. It is possible for you to apply for a port visa on arrival with an invitation letter or other supportive documents.

If I were you, I'd keep waiting for my visa. Then take back the passport a few days before departure, and then fly directly to China with the relevant documents for the visa, and apply for a visa on arrival after landing.

However, make it clear that this policy is new and it is also very risky to be rejected.
Asked by Rebel from ETHIOPIA | Dec. 27, 2023 05:11Reply
Can i obtain M visa?
I am an Ethiopian citizen and have received an invitation from a company in China for a stay of 150 days, will I be able to obtain a M visa?
Answers (1)
Answered by Molly | Dec. 27, 2023 17:14
00Reply


It is possible to get a business visa but I'm not sure if you can get such a long stay for the visa.
Asked by Casper from DENMARK | Dec. 08, 2023 22:20Reply
Travel out and back
Can one travel to Japan and back again on a 30 days m visa for China? Or does the m visa become invalid as soon as you leave China?
Answers (1)
Answered by Diana | Dec. 10, 2023 18:57
00Reply


If it is only a single-entry visa, it will be invalid if you get out of China.
Asked by Ruth from ENGLAND | Nov. 01, 2023 18:18Reply
M Visa Multiple Entry Question
My boss has a business visa category M and I need a bit more information for him before he travels from Berlin to Shanghai in a few days.

He has a visa valid for 1 year with 30 days max. duration of stay.

What we would need to know is, if 30 days apply per stay, how much time must elapse between single stays and what is the definition of a departure (i.e. is there a minimum time that must be spent outside of China?).

Also, it would be good to know if there is a maximum number of entries within the 12 month in China.
Answers (1)
Answered by Emily | Nov. 01, 2023 20:14
00Reply


As I know, there is no time limit between two entries or minimum time or maxim number of entries.
Asked by sidhu from INDIA | Oct. 31, 2023 18:37Reply
Business VISA Expire
My business Visa will expire on Nov 8th, so can I go for extension 2nd Nov or else we can go early?
Answers (1)
Answered by Gina | Oct. 31, 2023 19:40
00Reply


It is better confirm the time with the local entry and exit administration bureau.
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