Invitation Letter for a China Visa: Who Actually Needs One
Most tourists do not need an invitation letter. China's tourist (L) visa and transit visa are the two exceptions to the rule. If you apply in the United States you need even less: since 1 January 2024 the Chinese Embassy and Consulates there no longer ask tourist-visa applicants for an itinerary, flight or hotel bookings either (embassy notice). Outside the US, check the consulate you apply to: requirements vary, and some still ask for an itinerary with flight and hotel confirmations. An invitation letter is mandatory for the business (M), work (Z), family reunion (Q1/Q2), private visit (S1/S2), non-commercial (F) and crew (C) categories, where it must come from a host in China who can be verified. If you have no host in China, do not manufacture one: an invitation from a stranger is a common reason for refusal.
What to enter in section 6.2 of the visa form
Section 6.2 of the online application asks for an inviting person/contact or organization in China. If nobody in China has invited you — the usual case for a tourist — select Not applicable and, when the form asks why, give a short factual reason such as “independent tourism; no inviting person or organization in China”.
Do not name a contact you do not actually have. A hotel employee, a friend of a friend or a visa agency listed as your inviter is someone the consulate may try to verify, and an answer that does not hold up can get your application queried or returned.
What is an invitation letter for visa application?
When you search for instruction about Chinese Visa Application Requirements online, you will find out a letter of invitation is often mentioned. As required, the letter is one of the principal supporting documents you should submit to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate for visa request. The letter will help to explain the reason why you will visit China and give details about the planned visit.
Does China Visa need invitation letter?
An invitation letter is mandatory required when applying most types of Chinese Visa, such as China Crew (C) Visa, F Visa, Business (M) Visa, Work (Z) Visa, Family Reunion (Q1/Q2)Visa, Private (S1/S2 Visa), etc.
China Tourist Visa and Transit Visa are two exceptions. With confirmed connecting flight ticket, an invitation letter is not required for Transit Visa. If you are invited to travel to China by your friends or travel agency, a visa invitation letter is needed. However, independent travelers can choose to submit travel itinerary (proof of air ticket booking and hotel reservation) only. There is NO need to prepare an invitation letter if you don't have any friends, family members, relatives or inviting party in China. Making a letter of invitation from strangers will let your visit being suspicious, and even lead to visa denial.
What kind of format the invitation letter should be?
The Chinese Embassies and Consulates don't regulate any standard format and size of the invitation letter. Since the letter is submitted for visa application to embassy and consulate, being official/formal with proper etiquette is always the No.1 rule. Except the main body, a complete visa invitation letter should cover more elements, including the heading, greeting (opening salutation, the title of embassy name, embassy contact information), complimentary close, signature & official seal, writer's contact information, date when the date was written and enclosures.
Invitation Letter Writing Format
The letter must be paper form, and it could be computer print-out, handwritten letter, or in scanned copy or fax. The accurate format may vary slightly by different inviting individual or entity.
What to Include in the China Visa Invitation Letter?
There are many types of invitation letters for different visa category. Generally, three major sections of information should be contained in the visa invitation letter, including details about the inviter, invitee and the invitation. The rule applies to most types of Chinese Visas. Below are detailed visa letter instructions for China Tourist and Business Visas - two most common visas for China visitors.
☞ China Tourist Visa (L Visa) Invitation Letter
The invitation letter for China Tourist Visa should be related to the invited tour in China. It would be written by person or organization, covering information as follows:
1.) Information on the Applicant (Invitee)
Full Name, Nationality, Gender, Date of Birth, Passport Number, Contact Phone Number, Email Address, Relationship with the inviting person/unit (pictures together or materials in other formats), etc.
2.) Information on the Inviting Person/Unit (Inviter)
Full Name, Residence Status in China (property ownership certificate, lease agreement, etc), Contact Number, Address, Email, Official Stamp, Signature of the inviting individual or organization, etc.
3.) Information on the Intended Tour
Purpose of Visit
Itinerary of Travel
(When - Planned Departure Date & Arrival Date, Duration; Where - Places to Stay, including hotel reservation record, or statement if you will live in your friends' house, How - Booked Round-trip Air Tickets)
To present the invitation is real and reasonable, you need to attach or enclose additional documents about the inviting person and the invitation. For example, proof of his/her identification, like an ID Card, permanent residence permit, passport or Chinese Visa; and proof of residence. (Business license is needed if tour is organized by a travel agency.)
☞ China Invitation Letter for Business Visa (M Visa)
An official invitation letter is required when you apply China Business Visa for commercial and trade activities. The letter should give authentic information of the commercial visit and issued by a trade partner or host organization in China. Essential content of the visa invitation letter should includes:
1.) Information on the Applicant (Invitee)
Complete Personal Name, Nationality, Gender, Date of Birth, Passport Number, Contact Phone Number, Email Address, Relationship with the inviting person/unit (pictures together or other materials), etc.
2.) Information on the Inviting Institution/Person (Inviter)
Full Name, Contact Number, Address, Email, Official Stamp, Signature of the inviting person or the legal representative, photocopies of Business License & Organization Code of domestic company affixed with official seal, etc.
3.) Information on the Business Visit
Reason for Visit to China
Schedule (departure & arrival dates, places going to visit and stay, reserved round-trip plane tickets)
Certification of Business Relationship between the two parties (contract, receipt or other business documents)
Evidence of Financial Support
☞ Invitation Letter for Hong Kong Visa
If you will apply for a visa/entry permit to Hong Kong for business activities (e.g. trade fair and exhibition), you need an invitation letter for visa request. The letter must be issued by a local company or other trade organization to confirm applicant's proposed attendance.
What kind of information should be contained in the invitation letter? The main content is same to the above mentioned China Business (M) Visa requirement. There is no fixed format set, as long as the letter states all details clearly, completely and truly.
Note: Normally, the official authority requires the photocopy of the invitation letter only, so scanned copy is accepted. But for some special situations, the consulate asks for an original letter, therefore, applicants shall submit a original version to play safe.
Special Notes for China Visa Invitation Letter
- When applying for a Chinese Visa, the invitation letter is only submitted as one of the supporting materials. It serves as an strong proof of your purpose of visit, which persuades the visa officer to issue your visa. However, the submission doesn't guarantee you will get a China Visa successfully. The embassies reserve the right to reject your visa application.
- You're recommended to book cancellable air tickets and hotels for visa application. Once you obtain a Chinese Visa, you can adjust the reserved tickets and hotels.
- Who should write you a letter of invitation?
- If you're invited by an local entity in China, the company may have experience in providing you required visa invitation letter. Better use a company letterhead paper printed with the full name and contact information.
- If you are invited to visit China by individual, like your friend, you should remind him/her of the essential requirements and guidelines.
China Visa Invitation Letter Samples
China Business Visa Invitation Letter Sample
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I enter in section 6.2 (inviting person/contact or organization in China)?
If nobody in China has invited you, select “Not applicable” and give a short factual reason when asked — for example, independent tourism with no inviting person or organization in China. Do not name a contact you do not actually have; an inviter the consulate cannot verify can get your application queried or returned.
Do I need an invitation letter for a China tourist visa?
Usually no. The tourist (L) visa and the transit visa are the two categories that do not require one. If you apply in the United States, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates have also not required an itinerary, flight or hotel bookings for a tourist visa since 1 January 2024. Elsewhere requirements vary by consulate and some still ask for an itinerary with confirmed bookings. You only need an invitation letter for a tourist visa if a friend, relative or travel agency in China is formally inviting you.
Which China visas do require an invitation letter?
The business (M), non-commercial visit (F), work (Z), family reunion (Q1/Q2), private visit (S1/S2) and crew (C) categories. For those the letter is a principal supporting document and must come from a host in China whose details the consulate can verify.
What has to be in a China visa invitation letter?
The applicant’s full name, passport number, date of birth and gender; the purpose of the visit, planned arrival and departure dates, places to be visited and who is paying; and the inviting party’s full name, address, telephone number, signature and official seal. Business invitations should be on company letterhead.
Can WeTrip write an invitation letter for me?
No. An invitation letter has to come from the party actually hosting you in China, and issuing one for a traveller we are not hosting would put your application at risk. What we can provide, for travellers who book a tour with us, is a day-by-day itinerary and the confirmed hotel and transport bookings, for consulates that ask for them. If you apply in the United States, a tourist visa no longer requires those documents.
What happens if I submit an invitation letter from someone I do not know?
It makes the application look suspicious and is a recognised cause of refusal. If you have no host in China, apply as an independent tourist and answer “Not applicable” in section 6.2 — that is the normal route for tourists.
We can't issue the letter — but we can help with the rest
Where a consulate asks for a day-by-day itinerary and confirmed hotel and transport bookings, those come with any tour you book through us, formatted the way consulates expect. If you apply in the United States, a tourist visa no longer requires them, and we can simply plan and book the trip.
- A dated, day-by-day itinerary covering every night of your stay
- Confirmed hotel reservations and internal flight or high-speed rail bookings in your name
- A named consultant who answers follow-up questions while your application is open
- If a consulate later asks for something else, tell us and we will reissue the paperwork
Read next: China tourist visa: requirements and process · How long a Chinese visa takes · 240-hour visa-free transit · Browse China tours
