Chinese Business Visa: A Complete A-Z Guide

Mục Lục

Today, China stands as Vietnam’s largest trading partner, accounting for over 24% of the total import-export turnover, equivalent to hundreds of billions of USD annually. As Vietnam-China economic cooperation continues to expand, the demand for Chinese business visas is growing rapidly.

Overview of the Chinese Business Visa

According to statistics, each year more than 300,000 Vietnamese citizens travel to China for business purposes, making the Chinese business visa a “golden ticket” for bilateral trade. This visa facilitates legal, fast, and convenient entry for businesspeople, contributing to the strengthening of economic cooperation between the two nations.

To legalize business trips, the Chinese business visa was introduced for foreigners visiting China for trade, investment, or short-term business activities. This type of visa is particularly important for entrepreneurs, company representatives, and professionals working in import-export sectors who need to travel to China for short-term assignments.

Eligibility and Conditions for Applying for a Chinese Business Visa

Eligible Applicants

According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, more than 70,000 Vietnamese citizens travel to China each year for business negotiations, contract signing, or market research. In this context, the Chinese business visa has become increasingly important and popular, especially among enterprises and investors.

The visa is granted to individuals or corporate representatives with legitimate commercial activities with Chinese partners, including:

Entrepreneurs, directors, and company representatives traveling to negotiate or sign contracts, or to seek new partners.e
Technical staff or machinery specialists traveling to provide guidance, installation, maintenance, or technology transfer.
Attendees of trade fairs, exhibitions, or international conferences invited by Chinese companies or organizing committees.
Investors, distributors, or exclusive agents exploring the market and expanding cooperation opportunities.

With this visa, Vietnamese professionals can enter and exit China legally and conveniently, while also strengthening bilateral economic relations.

Conditions for Obtaining a Chinese Business Visa

Applicants must prepare and meet the following requirements:

Passport: Valid for at least 6 months with at least 2 blank consecutive pages.
Valid invitation letter: Issued by a Chinese enterprise or organization, clearly stating information about the inviter and invitee, as well as trip purpose, duration, and location.
Proof of commercial relationship: Contracts, invoices, bilingual business licenses, email correspondence, or partnership confirmation letters.
Financial proof: Bank statements, guarantee letters, or income verification.
Photo: 33 x 48 mm, white background, taken within the last 6 months.

Preparing accurate and well-organized documents greatly increases your chances of obtaining a Chinese business visa quickly.

Visa Exemption Cases

Under the Vietnam-China bilateral agreement, some individuals are exempt from obtaining a visa when entering China for work purposes, including:

Holders of diplomatic or official passports on official visits or by invitation of Chinese government agencies.
Government or state agency delegations participating in official economic or political cooperation programs invited by China.

Types of Chinese Business Visas and Length of Stay

Classification of Business Visas

When reading China travel guides, many people confuse tourist visas with business visas. In fact, the Chinese business visa is designed exclusively for commercial, investment, or market research activities, not for leisure or tourism.

Depending on the number of entries and validity period, there are several visa types, allowing applicants to choose flexibly based on their business needs:

Visa Type	Entries	Validity	Maximum Stay per Entry	Suitable For
M – Single Entry	1 time	3 months	30 days	Short-term business trips or market surveys combined with self-guided travel in China
M – Double Entry	2 times	6 months	30 days/entry	Meeting partners, signing contracts, or attending trade fairs in major cities such as Guangzhou or Shanghai
M – Multiple Entry	Multiple	6-12 months	30-60 days/entry	Frequent travelers to China for business, cooperation with schools or large enterprises

Comparison between M Visa and F Visa

In various China travel or business guides, people often confuse the M Visa (Business) with the F Visa (Non-commercial). However, these two types serve different purposes and applicant groups:

Criteria	M Visa	F Visa
Purpose	Business transactions, investment, contract signing, market surveys	Academic exchange, research, seminars, or short-term study programs in China
Suitable for	Entrepreneurs, company representatives, engineers, investors	Students, lecturers, researchers, short-term scholars
Invitation Required From	Chinese business entity or trade organization	Chinese universities, institutes, or non-profit organizations
Duration of Stay	30-60 days per entry	90 days or according to the short-term study program

Hence, the M Visa is for business activities, while the F Visa is primarily for academic or short-term study purposes in China.

Required Documents for a Chinese Business Visa Application

Preparing a complete and accurate application package is crucial to achieving a high visa approval rate, as the Chinese Embassy places strong emphasis on accuracy and document consistency.

Personal Documents

Original passport (valid for at least 6 months)
One 33 x 48 mm photo with a white background
Copy of National ID card or household registration book
Completed and signed Chinese visa application form (filled out online and printed)

Business Documents

Certified and translated business license of the Vietnamese company
Official company letter assigning the applicant to the business trip (including position, duration, and purpose)

Invitation Letter from the Chinese Partner

Must include the Chinese company’s tax number, company seal, address, and contact details
Must state the invitee’s personal information, purpose, duration, and location of the visit
Color-scanned or bilingual (Chinese-English) versions are accepted

Application Process for a Chinese Business Visa

The current application process is standardized and efficient, usually taking 4-7 working days. To avoid delays or errors, applicants should carefully follow each step below:

Step 1: Complete the Online Form and Book an Appointment

Visit the official website of the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (VAC) to fill out your form. After completion, print the barcode confirmation page and bring it along to your appointment.

Step 2: Submit Your Application at VAC

Submit your documents in person at the VAC in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. The staff will verify your documents and may take your photo if necessary.

Step 3: Provide Biometric Data, Pay Fees, and Collect Your Result

After submission, proceed to the fingerprint collection counter. Applicants who have provided biometric data within the last 5 years may be exempt from this step.

Once completed, pay the consular and VAC service fees, and keep the receipt indicating the expected result collection date. Normally, within 4-7 working days, you can return to collect your passport with the issued Chinese Business Visa.

To ensure your application is processed quickly and accurately, contact iVISA’s professional team. With extensive experience, iVISA offers comprehensive A-Z support, from document preparation and appointment scheduling to application submission and visa result tracking — making the process fast, simple, and stress-free.

Fees and Related Costs for a Chinese Business Visa (M Visa)

Number of Entries	Visa Fee at the Embassy (USD)	Chinese Visa Application Center Fee (VND)
Single Entry	45 USD	725,000 VND
Double Entry	68 USD	725,000 VND
Multiple Entries (6 months)	90 USD	725,000 VND
Multiple Entries (1 year)	135 USD	725,000 VND

Important Notes When Applying for a Business Visa:

Starting from July 1, 2025, applicants are required to complete and submit their applications online via the official website of the Chinese Visa Application Center (VAC) before visiting in person.
In cases where the visa application is rejected, applicants will not be charged any additional fees beyond those already paid.

Important Notes and Tips to Increase Your Chinese Business Visa Approval Rate

According to internal statistics from the Chinese Visa Application Service Center, up to 12% of business visa applications are returned due to errors or missing documents.

Common Mistakes When Applying for a Chinese Business Visa

The invitation letter lacks the company’s official red seal or contains spelling errors in the applicant’s name.
Inconsistent information between the Vietnamese company documents and the invitation letter, such as mismatched business sectors or legal representatives.
Expired or unclear photos or passports that do not meet consular photo standards.
Missing documents proving a genuine business relationship between the two parties.

Tips to Improve Your Chinese Business Visa Approval Rate

Prepare your documents at least 3 weeks before your trip to allow time for corrections if requested.
Stay in touch with your Chinese partner so they can verify the invitation letter if the consulate conducts a background check.
Submit your application early in the week (Monday-Tuesday) to ensure faster processing and avoid application backlog.
Do not modify your online visa form after printing the barcode, as this may cause inconsistencies in the system.
Check your passport validity carefully – it must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended entry date.

Expert Advice

If this is your first time applying for a Chinese business visa, preparing the documents on your own may lead to unnecessary risks. To minimize potential issues, contact iVISA’s visa experts. With experience handling thousands of Chinese business visa applications each year, iVISA’s professional consultants will carefully review every document and support you throughout the entire process from A-Z. Thanks to a professional workflow and real-world experience, the business visa approval rate at iVISA reaches up to 99%, giving clients complete confidence when applying.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Chinese Business Visa (M Visa)

Can I work and earn a salary in China with an M Visa?

No. The M Visa is only for short-term business activities or contract signing. To work and earn a salary legally in China, you must apply for a Z Visa (work visa).

Can I travel in China with an M Visa?

The M Visa is issued solely for business purposes, not for tourism. If you plan to explore or experience Chinese culture, you should apply for a tourist visa. For more details, check out iVISA’s China Travel Guide or contact iVISA for assistance with your China Tourist Visa.

Can I extend my Chinese Business Visa while in China?

In some exceptional cases, extensions are possible – provided you have a valid Chinese company sponsor and submit your extension request at the local Exit and Entry Administration Office.

In today’s era of strengthened Vietnam-China economic cooperation, the Chinese Business Visa is not just a travel document – it represents trust, opportunity, and the beginning of long-term partnerships. If you plan to travel to China soon and need professional support, contact iVISA via hotline 0937 999 610 for the fastest assistance!

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