Quick answer: The M visa covers meetings, negotiations, trade fairs, and other commercial travel, and its defining requirement is an invitation letter from the company or partner you are visiting in China. That letter needs company letterhead, the company seal, and your name, purpose and dates. It is where most business applications stumble — a missing seal or a mismatched name is enough.
The business visa (M) is for commercial travel to China — meetings, contract negotiations, trade fairs, or exploring business opportunities. Its defining requirement: an invitation letter from a company or partner in China.
What you need for a China business visa
A passport valid for at least six more months, with a blank page
A recent white-background photo
An invitation letter from your Chinese business partner — on company letterhead, with the official company seal, stating who you are, why you're coming, and when. See what the letter must include, with a free template.
Your completed COVA application
Validity
Business (M) visas can be issued as single, double, or multiple-entry, and — like the tourist visa — U.S. citizens are often eligible for long, multiple-entry validity under the reciprocity arrangement. The exact validity depends on your application and the consulate's decision.
Where the M visa goes wrong
The invitation letter is where most business applications stumble — a missing company seal, a mismatched name, or handwritten text. We review it before submission so a paperwork detail doesn't cost you the trip. This is also where our team handles group and corporate orders — several colleagues traveling together.
How to apply
Complete COVA, then submit in person at your consulate — we handle it. Start your application or compare all visa types.
Get My Passports is a private company that provides China visa application assistance. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency, and all visa decisions — type, validity, entries, and approval — are made solely by the Chinese consulate. Requirements can vary by consulate and change over time; confirm the current rules before you apply.
