Private visa service, not the Chinese Embassy. British passport? You can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days until 31 December 2026. Check if you need a visaMon–Fri 9am–4pm · Manchester 0161 956 2003 · London 020 7205 2282
China Visa Expert, corporate and business travel services, home

China business visa from the UK(M visa).

The China business visa, known as the M visa, is for meetings, trade fairs, sales and sourcing trips to China. We check your invitation letter, prepare your China business visa application and book your appointment.

Start China business visa application Call 0161 956 2003
  • M visaCommercial and trade visits
  • InvitationFrom the Chinese company
  • £301Standard, all in
  • £357Express, all in

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What a China business visa covers

Business meetings

Meeting suppliers, partners and customers.

Trade fairs

The Canton Fair and other exhibitions.

Sourcing and buying

Visiting factories and checking orders.

Technical visits

Installing equipment or quality inspections.

Not covered by a China business visa

  • Taking a job with a Chinese employer
  • Long-term postings
  • Study
  • Journalism

Documents you’ll need

DocumentDetailsNeeded
PassportYour original passport, valid for at least 6 months after you arrive, with at least 2 blank visa pages, plus a copy of the photo page.Required
PhotoOne recent colour photo, 33 × 48 mm, on a plain white background, no glasses, face and ears clearly visible. We check it before your appointment.Required
Online application formThe official Chinese visa application form, completed and printed with its confirmation page.We prepare
Invitation letterFrom the Chinese company or trade fair organiser: your details, the purpose, dates and places of your visit, who pays, and the inviter’s details, signature and company stamp.Required
Company letterA letter from your UK employer confirming your job and the trip.Helpful
Previous Chinese visasA copy of your last Chinese visa, if you’ve had one. Former Chinese citizens need extra documents, which we’ll explain.If applicable
UK residence statusIf you’re not a British citizen: your UK visa, BRP or eVisa share code page showing you live here legally.If applicable

Upload them from your phone. We check every document and resize it to the official limits before we submit.

All documents must be in English or Chinese. Upload them from your phone and we check every one before your appointment.

  1. 1

    Apply online

    Answer a few questions and upload your passport, photo and documents.

  2. 2

    We check and book

    We complete the official form, check every document and book your appointment.

  3. 3

    Visit the visa centre

    Hand in your passport and give fingerprints in London, Manchester or Edinburgh.

  4. 4

    Collect your visa

    Your passport comes back with the visa inside, usually within 3 to 4 working days.

Rules to know before you travel

British passport? You may not need a visa

Until 31 December 2026, British citizens can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, visiting family or friends, exchanges and transit. You still need a visa for longer stays, work, study or journalism. Check if you need a visa

You apply in person at a visa centre

Chinese visas are submitted at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre. In the UK there are centres in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. We complete your form and book your appointment, and you attend to hand in your passport and give fingerprints.

Passport rules

Your passport must be valid for at least six months after you enter China and have at least two blank visa pages. If yours is close to expiry, renew it first.

When to apply

You can usually apply up to three months before you travel. Allow at least two weeks to prepare, book an appointment and have the visa processed, or choose express service if you’re short of time.

The invitation letter decides most cases

The Chinese company’s invitation must include specific details and match your form exactly. We check it line by line before you book your appointment.

Need a visa for your team?

We handle China visas for companies of every size, from one-off trips to regular travellers.

Corporate accounts

Fees

The embassy fee and our service fee, shown separately, so you always know where your money goes.

VisaProcessing timeEntriesEmbassy feeOur feeTotal you pay
Standard serviceBusiness (M) visaUsually 4 working daysSingle, double or multiple£151£150£301
Express serviceBusiness (M) visaUsually 3 working daysSingle, double or multiple£182£175£357

Embassy fees shown are those charged by the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre to British passport holders, and may differ for other nationalities. They aren’t refundable, even if the visa is refused. Our fee is per person and includes checking your documents, completing the online form and booking your appointment.

Need it quickly? Choose express service when you apply. Tell us your travel date and we’ll tell you the latest day to submit.

China business visa invitation letter

Your invitation letter must come from the Chinese company or trade fair, and show your name, date of birth, nationality and passport number; the purpose, dates and places of your visit; who pays for the trip; and the inviter’s name, address, phone number, signature and company stamp. A scanned copy is usually accepted. See our invitation letter guide.

Do I need a China business visa for a short trip?

Until 31 December 2026, British citizens can make business trips of up to 30 days without a visa. A China business visa is still worth having if you travel often, stay longer than 30 days, or your trips continue into 2027. Multiple entry business visas are popular with regular travellers.

China business visas for your whole team

If several colleagues travel, we can prepare all the applications together so the letters, dates and details match. See our corporate China visa services.

Related pages

Invitation lettersCorporate China visa servicesWork visa (Z)

Questions people ask

Can I get a multiple entry China business visa?

Yes, regular travellers are often granted multiple entry visas. The decision is the visa centre’s, but a strong travel history and invitation help.

Can I work in China on a business visa?

No. Taking up employment needs a China work visa (Z).

Does the invitation letter need to be the original?

A clear scan or copy is usually accepted. We’ll tell you if the original is needed for your case.

How long does a China visa take?

The visa centre usually processes standard applications in 4 working days and express applications in 3 working days, after your appointment. Allow extra time to prepare and book the appointment.

Do I need to go to the visa centre?

Yes. Most applicants aged 14 to 70 must attend in person to give fingerprints. We prepare everything and book the appointment, so your visit is quick.

Ready when you are

Start online in about 10 minutes, or call us if you’d rather talk first.

Start China business visa application Call 0161 956 2003
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