As of 2026, travelers from 79 countries can enter China for business without applying for a visa at all. If your country qualifies, a formal M visa application may not be necessary for short trips. For everyone else — or anyone staying beyond 30 days — this guide covers the M visa process end to end, including the new COVA online application system that launched in September 2025. For a broader overview of doing business in China, see OlaChina’s complete business guide.
Do You Even Need a Business Visa?
Check this before doing anything else. As of February 17, 2026, China’s unilateral 30-day visa-free policy covers 79 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, most EU member states, Australia, Japan, and South Korea (National Immigration Administration, 2026).
Eligible passport holders can enter for business, tourism, family visits, or transit — no visa, up to 30 days per visit, multiple entries allowed, through December 31, 2026 (Fragomen, 2026).
This covers most common business activities: attending trade fairs, visiting factories, meeting partners, signing contracts. Check OlaChina’s full country list to confirm your eligibility before proceeding.
M Visa vs. F Visa: Which One Applies to You
If your country is not on the visa-free list, or your trip exceeds 30 days, you need a formal visa. Two categories cover business travel. OlaChina’s China Visa Types guide covers all categories in plain language if you are still deciding.
M Visa — Business and Trade The M visa is the correct category for commercial activity: attending trade fairs like the Canton Fair, visiting the Yiwu wholesale market, meeting clients, inspecting suppliers, negotiating contracts, and signing agreements. It does not cover employment — that requires a Z visa.
F Visa — Exchange and Non-Commercial The F visa covers academic exchanges, research visits, and conference attendance. It does not cover commercial trade. Using an F visa for business activity can cause problems at the border (TravelChinaGuide, 2026).
M Visa Validity and Stay Duration
Terms vary by nationality and application circumstances.
- Standard validity: 3 months for most applicants
- Stay per visit: typically 30 days, extendable to 60 or 90 days depending on the case
- US and Canadian citizens: eligible for 10-year multiple-entry M visas
- Frequent travelers (Shanghai, Jiangsu, Liaoning): Foreign Affairs Offices in these provinces now offer 5-year multiple-entry M visas with stays up to 180 days per visit for qualifying applicants (Fragomen, 2025)
The 5-year option requires a special invitation letter from the municipal Foreign Affairs Office, applied for by your Chinese inviting organization.
Required Documents
Requirements vary by consulate and nationality. Most applicants need:
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months remaining validity, at least one blank visa page)
- Completed application via the COVA system (China Online Visa Application, launched September 30, 2025) (Chinese Embassy in the US, 2025)
- Recent passport-style photo (color, 48mm × 33mm, white background) — see OlaChina’s China visa photo requirements for exact specs
- Invitation letter from a Chinese company or trade organization
- Proof of business credentials (company registration, prior trade with China, or similar)
For some nationalities, a Verification of Identity Letter (TE/PU letter) is also required, issued by the local Foreign Affairs Bureau through your Chinese inviting entity. For a full breakdown of requirements by visa type and nationality, see OlaChina’s China Visa Requirements guide.
The Invitation Letter: Get This Right First
This is where most applications run into trouble. A weak or incomplete invitation letter is the leading cause of M visa rejection (OnlineVisaGuide, 2025).
Your Chinese partner must include:
- Your full name and passport number
- Purpose and nature of the business visit
- Specific dates of stay
- The company’s business license number and official seal
- A designated contact person with phone and email
Confirm this in writing before submitting your application — everything else can be corrected more easily than a bad invitation letter.
How to Apply: Step by Step
Step 1 — Complete the COVA online application All visa applications now go through China’s COVA system. Fill in personal details, travel plans, employment history, and upload your photo and documents. The system flags errors before submission (FDI China, 2025). OlaChina’s China Visa Application: Step-by-Step Guide covers every stage in detail.
Step 2 — Book an appointment After COVA submission, book an appointment at the nearest Chinese embassy, consulate, or China Visa Application Service Center (CVASC). Apply roughly one month before your travel date — not too early, as visas have fixed entry-before dates.
Step 3 — Submit documents in person Bring originals of all required documents. Most applicants must provide fingerprints in person. Processing takes 7 working days once all materials are submitted (Guangdong FAO, 2024).
Step 4 — Collect your visa Standard processing: 4–5 business days. Express service reduces this to 3 business days where available. On collection, check the validity dates, number of entries, and permitted stay duration carefully.
What to Do After You Arrive
- Arrival card: Since November 2025, all arrivals must complete a digital arrival card. Fill it in via the NIA website, the “NIA 12367” app, or WeChat/Alipay mini-programs before you fly — it saves time at the border.
- Police registration: Hotels register you automatically. If staying in a private residence, register at the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival.
- Stay duration: Your permitted stay is stamped in your passport at entry. Overstaying — even by one day — carries fines and can affect future applications. OlaChina’s visa-free stay regulations guide covers the rules in detail.
Extending Your Stay
Apply for a stay extension at the local Exit-Entry Administration of the Public Security Bureau (PSB) before your current permitted stay expires — at least 7 days before the deadline. Extensions require valid reasons and are not guaranteed.
Common Reasons for Rejection
M visa rejections in 2025–2026 most commonly result from:
- Incomplete or vague invitation letters
- Weak evidence of genuine business activity
- Mismatch between stated purpose and supporting documents
- Applying for M visa when F or Z is the correct category
- Previous overstays or immigration violations
If rejected, review the refusal notice carefully. Fees are generally non-refundable. A visa agency can help identify documentation issues before reapplication — see OlaChina’s China Visa Service guide for options available to foreigners.
Once You Are in China
After arrival, OlaChina covers the practical next steps — registering a company, setting up a corporate bank account, finding reliable suppliers, and understanding the market. For frequent travelers who want to explore between meetings, the 240-hour transit visa-free policy is also worth knowing. And if you need hands-on support during your trip, OlaChina’s business services cover sourcing, partner introductions, and on-the-ground logistics.
References
Chinese Embassy in the United States. (2025, September 20). Requirements and procedures for Chinese visa application (updated September 2025). https://us.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/zj/qz2021/202509/t20250920_11712385.htm
FDI China. (2025). Effortless & essential: 7 steps to apply for a China business visa (2025 guide). https://fdichina.com/blog/how-can-i-apply-for-a-china-business-visa/
Fragomen. (2025, February 6). China: Special requirement introduced for longer business visa duration. https://www.fragomen.com/insights/china-special-requirement-introduced-for-longer-business-visa-duration.html
Fragomen. (2026, February 17). Mainland China: More nationals eligible for visa exemption; expanded rights under exemption. https://www.fragomen.com/insights/mainland-china-more-nationals-eligible-for-visa-exemption-expanded-rights-under-exemption.html
Guangdong Foreign Affairs Office. (2024, October 21). Instructions on M (business) visa application. http://en.gdfao.gov.cn/2024-10/21/c_1037436.htm
National Immigration Administration of China. (2026, February 17). List of countries covered by unilateral visa exemption. https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147463/c183390/content.html
OnlineVisaGuide. (2025, October 26). China business visa M visa requirements in 2025: A comprehensive guide. https://www.onlinevisaguide.com/article/details/3557/china-business-visa-m-visa-requirements-in-2025-a-comprehensive-guide
TravelChinaGuide. (2026). China business visa, M visa, application requirements, fees. https://www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa/business.htm
