Quick answer: Most tourists don't need one. Since January 1, 2024, tourist (L) applicants generally do not need an invitation letter. You do need one for a business (M) visa — from the company you're visiting — and for a family visit (Q1/Q2), from your relative in China. Work and student visas use different documents entirely. Free templates for both are below, with no email required.
The invitation letter is one of the most confusing parts of a China visa — partly because the rules changed in 2024, and partly because most guides online are written for the wrong audience. Here's the straight version: who actually needs an invitation letter, what it has to say, and two free templates you can copy (no gated PDF, no email required).
Do you even need an invitation letter?
It depends entirely on which visa you're applying for:
Tourist (L) — usually no. Since January 1, 2024, tourist applicants generally do not need an invitation letter (and flight or hotel bookings aren't required either). A few visa centers may still ask, so it's worth confirming for your consulate.
Once your letter is in hand, the application itself still has to be filled out, printed, and submitted in person. If you’d rather not make that trip, here’s how to choose the best China visa service in the USA.
Business (M) — yes, required. From the Chinese company or partner you're visiting.
Family visit (Q1 / Q2) — yes, required. From your relative in China.
Work (Z) / Student (X) — these use different documents (a work-permit notification, or a JW201/JW202 plus admission letter), not a standard invitation letter.
So if you're a tourist, you can usually skip this entirely. If you're going for business or to see family, keep reading.
Business (M) visa: what the letter needs
Your invitation comes from the Chinese company you'll be dealing with, on their letterhead, with the official company seal (chop). It should state who you are, why you're coming, when, and who's covering costs. Here's a template you can hand your business contact:
[Company Letterhead]
[Date]
To the Visa Officer, [Chinese Embassy / Consulate]:
We, [Company Name], located at [Company Address, City, China], invite Mr./Ms. [Full Name exactly as in passport] — passport no. [Number], nationality [Nationality], date of birth [DOB] — to visit China for business.
The purpose of the visit is [e.g., attending meetings and negotiating a supply agreement]. [He/She] will be in China from [Arrival Date] to [Departure Date], visiting [City / Cities], and will cover [his/her/our] own expenses.
We confirm the information above is true and accurate.
[Legal Representative Name], [Title] — [Company Name] · [Phone] · [Email]
[Official Company Seal]
Family visit (Q1 / Q2): what the letter needs
Your invitation comes from your relative in China. It needs their Chinese ID number, your relationship, and your visit details. Q2 is for shorter visits; Q1 is for longer stays and reunion. Template:
[Date]
To the Visa Officer, [Chinese Embassy / Consulate]:
I, [Inviter Full Name], a [Chinese citizen / permanent resident] living at [Address, City, China], holding [Chinese ID / passport] number [ID Number], invite my [relationship — e.g., son / mother / friend], Mr./Ms. [Full Name exactly as in passport] — passport no. [Number], nationality [Nationality], date of birth [DOB] — to visit me in China.
[He/She] will stay from [Arrival Date] to [Departure Date] at [my address above / a hotel]. The purpose is a family visit, and [I will cover / he/she will cover] the expenses.
I confirm the information above is true and accurate.
[Inviter Full Name] · [Phone] · [Email]
[Signature]
What every invitation letter must contain
Whatever the type, consulates look for three blocks of information:
About you (the applicant): full name exactly as in your passport, passport number, nationality, gender, date of birth.
About the visit: arrival and departure dates, cities you'll visit, the purpose, and your relationship to the inviter.
About the inviter: name (company or person), address, contact phone, and a signature — plus, for a company, the official seal and the legal representative's name.
Formatting matters: the letter must be typed and clearly legible, and every detail has to match your passport and application exactly. A handwritten letter, a missing seal, or a name that doesn't match is one of the most common reasons an application gets sent back.
Where we fit in
We handle business (M) and family (Q) applications every week, and the invitation letter is where most of them go wrong. When you work with us, we tell you exactly what your inviter's letter needs for your specific consulate, and we review it before submission — catching the missing seal or the mismatched date before it costs you a trip. Then we complete the COVA application and submit your passport in person for you.
Start your China visa application, see China visa options by state, or read our COVA application guide for the full process.
Get My Passports is a private company that provides China visa application assistance. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. The templates above are examples to adapt, not official forms, and requirements can vary by consulate and change over time — confirm the current rules before you apply. All visa decisions are made solely by the Chinese consulate.
