想来中国参展、采购、洽谈业务？什么签证最适合你？
Coming to China for attending trade fairs, purchasing or visiting clients? What kind of visa can be your option?
What is a Business Visa (M visa)?
商务签证，也叫M签，签发给来华进行经贸活动的人员，包括与顾客洽谈业务、会面商业伙伴或参加贸易展会等。另外，来华参赛人员也可获批这类签证。
The China Business visa, or M visa, is one for commercial only visits to China and covers trade activities such as visiting clients, meeting with business partners, and attending trade fairs. They are also issued to those who are participating in competitions.
商务签的有效期一般只有3个月，停留期限为30天/60天/90天，停留期满即需离境。
M visas are usually valid for three months, and its duration of stay is 30 days/60 days/90 days, after which you must leave China.
持M字签证入境人员只能在华进行经贸活动，以促进未来业务的成功，但不允许在华从事能直接获取工作报酬的活动，否则就会因为违法而收到处罚。
M visas are issued on the contingency that the person visiting China is not getting paid to work in China. While the activities conducted on the trip might lead to future business, getting paid directly for activities conducted in China is not legal on the M visa.
如果是想来华工作的，一定要申请工作签证（Z签证）。
For work purposes, you must apply for a work visa (Z visa).
What to prepare before applying for a M visa?
中国签证机关会根据申请人的入境目的和身份，决定发给何种签证，所以建议在申请签证前先明确来华目的并准备好所需申请材料。
Since that the Chinese authority will decide which visa to issue based on the applicant's purpose for entry and qualifications, HACOS suggests that foreigners planning for a China visa should first make clear of their purpose and have all the necessary paperwork and accompanying documents prepared well.
1️⃣ 来华商务签证邀请函，包括1）中国企业或贸易伙伴发出的邀请函；2）由经官方授权的中国机构或有关单位出具的邀请函或邀请确认函；3）展会邀请函。
China Business Visa Invitation Letter, including 1) Invitation letter issued by a Chinese business or trade partner; 2) Invitation letter or confirmation letter of invitation issued by duly authorized Chinese institutes or relevant units. 3) Invitation letter of a trade fair.
2️⃣ 有效期为6个月以上的护照原件及护照信息页复印件1份；
An original passport valid for more than 6 months and 1 copy of passport information page.
3️⃣《中华人民共和国签证申请表》(可在大使馆网站下载)。
Visa Application Form (can be downloaded from the embassy website).
4️⃣ 小2寸（48mm×33mm）的正面、彩色、免冠照片１张；
One small 2-inch (48mm×33mm) frontal, color, bareheaded photo.
5️⃣ 在境外合法停留或居留证明（适用于第三国公民）；
Proof of Legal Stay or Residence overseas (applicable to third-country citizens).
6️⃣ 原中国护照（适用于曾有中国国籍，后加入外国国籍者）；
Previous Chinese Passports (applicable to those who one held Chinese nationality and later became a foreign nationality).
7️⃣ 原中国签证（适用于曾获得中国签证的人员）；
Previous Visas for China (applicable to those who have previously obtained a China visa).
Proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
*部分国家还需提供PU或TE邀请函，以使领馆发布的公告为准。其他材料根据领事馆要求提交。
People from some countries also need to provide a PU or TE invitation letter, subject to the announcement issued by the embassy or consulate. Other documents should be sumbitted in accordance with the requirements of the consulate.
要申请商务签证，申请人可以自行向中国驻外使领馆领事处递交申请，也可以委托他人（如亲友或代理机构）代为办理，若是委托办理需要提供授权书。
You can submit your application for Chinese business visa to the consular office of Chinese embassies or consulates by yourself, or ask someone else (such as your friends, relatives or an agency) to do so on your behalf. In that case, a power of attorney is required.
对于某些国家，如新加坡、印度、澳大利亚等，则需要向中国签证申请服务中心 (CVASC) 申请签证。这些服务中心遍布全球大多数主要城市，为签证申请增添了不少便利。
In some countries, such as Singapore, India, Australia, you need to submit the application to the Chinese Visa Application Center (CVASC) in China. These service centers can be found in most major cities around the world, bringing much convenience to visa applications.
https://www.visaforchina.cn
很多时候，签证申请是不接受线上或者邮寄的，通常要求申请人现场递交材料和面签。
In most cases, the application process cannot be completed online or by mail, and you are usually required to submit documents on site and undergo face-to-face interview.
如果没办法亲自到场，你也可以找一家中国签证代理。代理不仅可以代你去递交申请资料，还会全程跟踪申请进程，及时对申请资料查漏补缺。而且，代理会知道最新的签证信息和要求，大大提高申请成功率，更有可能第一次就成功获签。
If you can't be there in person, an alternative for you is to use a China visa agent. An agent can submit the application and follow up the whole processing for you. Moreover, an agent will know the latest information and requirements, which greatly higher the success rate of the application. You are more likely to successfully get a visa the first time with such help.
It is strongly suggested to book an appointment for visa application at least 20 days before your intended departure date to China mainland.
2、入境后，若行程未能在停留时间内完成，可以在签证过期前至少七天到当地出入境管理部门申请签证延期。
After entering China, if the duration of stay cannot cover your trip, it’s possible to go to the local exit and entry administration to apply for a China business visa extension at least 7 days before the original M visa expires.
HACOS provides free consulting services for exit and entry and Chinese visa.
If you want to know more about coming to China or doing business here, please contact us!
