China Business Visa (M Visa) Requirements

Quick answer

What is required for a China M visa?

The M visa is for qualifying commercial and trade activity. The current San Francisco checklist requires documentation of the commercial activity from a trade partner in China. Its invitation should identify the traveler, explain the visit, give dates and places, state the relationship and payer, and identify and authenticate the inviting organization.

Washington residents begin in the official online system under San Francisco. The passport is submitted only after preliminary review reaches “Passport to be Submitted.”

Official reference: San Francisco M visa requirements and invitation outline.

When the M visa fits

M covers qualifying commercial and trade activities, such as supplier or customer meetings, negotiations, trade fairs, and related commercial visits. It is not a substitute for employment or taking up work in China.

Business invitation checklist

The current official Annex 2 says the invitation should include:

• Invited traveler: name, gender, date of birth, passport number, and other relevant identifying information.
• Visit: reason for travel, arrival and departure dates, places to be visited, relationship with the inviting organization or person, and who will pay for the trip.
• Inviting party: organization name, address, telephone, official seal, legal representative or authorized inviter signature, and date.

The invitation, employer explanation, event registration, online answers, and travel dates should use consistent company names and describe the same qualifying activity.

Applicant and company preparation file

The exact list depends on the online application and review, but a clear business-travel file commonly organizes:

• The current passport, prior Chinese visa records, and proof of Washington or other qualifying district residence.
• The applicant's employer, title, duties, and concise reason this traveler is making the trip.
• The Chinese trade partner's invitation and accurate company details.
• Meeting, event, supplier, customer, or commercial-relationship records where relevant.
• A consistent explanation of trip dates, cities, contacts, and who pays each cost.
• Evidence supporting a genuine recurring-travel need if multiple entries are requested.
• Any additional material requested during online preliminary review.

See the common Chinese visa document checklist for passport, residence, prior-nationality, and minor-applicant rules.

Application steps from Seattle

1. Confirm M matches the actual activity. Separate commercial visits from exchanges and employment.
2. Align the host and employer records. Resolve entity names, purpose, dates, places, contacts, and payer details.
3. Apply online through San Francisco. Upload the invitation and all common and case-specific records requested.
4. Monitor preliminary review. Answer correction or supplementary-material messages in the online system.
5. Submit and collect the passport. Wait for “Passport to be Submitted.” Current instructions allow the applicant, another person, or an agency to handle these stages without an appointment.

Use the official China Online Visa Application system.

Timing, fees, and multiple entries

The San Francisco consulate currently lists regular processing as four business days and urgent express processing as two to three business days, starting when the passport is submitted. Preliminary online review and all delivery or travel time are additional, and some cases take longer.

The currently published regular-service fee is $140 for a U.S. citizen through December 31, 2026. Non-U.S. citizen fees vary. A recurring commercial need can be explained and supported, but it does not entitle an applicant to multiple entries or a particular validity.

Verify current amounts on the consulate's payments and fees page.

Common business-visa inconsistencies

Business visa FAQs

Frequently asked questions