A China visa invitation letter should explain who is inviting you, who you are, why you are visiting and the planned dates and places. Whether a letter is required—and what supporting evidence accompanies it—depends on the visa category and the office processing the application.
For a business M visa, the invitation normally comes from the business partner or event organizer in China. A family invitation follows a different format and can require the host’s identity and relationship evidence.
Which invitation fits the visa?
| Category | Purpose of the letter |
|---|---|
| M: commercial or trade activities | Explain the business visit, inviting organization, relationship and expenses. |
| F: noncommercial exchange or visit | Explain the host, exchange activity and purpose. |
| Q: qualifying family visit or reunion | Identify the qualifying host and relationship; supporting identity and relationship documents depend on the category. |
| S: qualifying private or family matters | Explain the visitor’s relationship to the foreign resident or other relevant circumstances. |
| L: tourism | U.S. consular instructions have simplified tourist supporting documents; do not assume an invitation is required just because an old checklist asks for one. |
The New York application requirements describe the tourist-document simplification. For a short family visit, use our existing Q2 family visa guide instead of adapting a business invitation.
Read this graphic as text
- The visitor: Passport name, identifying details and correct document number.
- The visit: Real purpose, dates, locations, relationship and expenses.
- The host: Organization or individual, contact details and confirmation.
- The category: Business and family invitations need different evidence.
A template is a drafting aid; the inviter must confirm every fact.
The business letter’s three essential parts
Organize the information around the visitor, the visit and the inviting organization. The Los Angeles consulate’s invitation annex identifies those categories.
- Visitor: full passport name, date of birth, passport number and other required identifying details.
- Visit: real purpose, proposed arrival and departure dates, places, relationship to the host and who pays the costs.
- Inviter: organization name, address, telephone and other requested contact details, date and appropriate signatory information.
Put the requested facts in the letter itself. A logo at the top is not a substitute for the host’s name and contact details in the text.
Business invitation template
This is a drafting aid for the inviting organization, not a completed government form. Replace the bracketed fields with true information and follow the receiving consulate’s signature and seal requirements.
To the Visa Officer:
[Inviting organization’s full legal name], located at [full address in China], invites [visitor’s full name exactly as in passport], [gender, if required], born [date], passport number [number], to visit [cities/sites] from [arrival date] to [departure date].
The purpose of the visit is [specific commercial or trade activity]. Our relationship with the visitor and their organization is [accurate description]. The proposed activities are [brief meeting, event or site-visit schedule].
[Visitor, employer or host organization] will cover [specific travel, accommodation and other expenses].
For questions, contact [host contact name and role] at [telephone] and [email].
[Authorized signatory’s name and title]
[Signature and company seal where required]
[Date]
Review the letter before uploading
Check the visitor’s passport number first. Then compare names, dates, locations and the trip purpose with the online application. If a passport has been renewed, the host may need to update a letter written around the old number.
Use specific, truthful activity descriptions. Do not disguise employment as a business meeting or copy a relationship claim from a sample that does not apply to your situation.
Does the original letter have to be submitted?
The accepted form depends on the office and the case. The Chicago consulate’s invitation FAQ discusses copies or printouts and says an original can be requested. Online submission instructions may initially require an upload while reserving the right to request further evidence.
Keep the host available to answer questions or supply a corrected version. An invitation is supporting evidence, not a promise that the visa will be issued.
Frequently asked questions
Can I write my own invitation?
You can help the host draft it, but the letter must truthfully come from the appropriate inviter and be confirmed by that person or organization.
Can I use this business template for Q2?
No. A family invitation needs family-specific information and supporting evidence. Use the Q2 guidance for that purpose.
Will an invitation guarantee a multiple-entry visa?
No. Requested entries and validity remain subject to the consular decision.
For help coordinating the invitation with the rest of the application, contact 24 Hour Passport & Visas. See our M visa requirements guide for the full business-file sequence.
Tell us your destination, departure date and application status. Call first to arrange a visit to our Los Angeles office.
Call (310) 913-7804