๐Ÿ›ก๏ธSourced from official government portals๐Ÿ”„Reviewed quarterlyโš ๏ธAlways verify before booking travelOfficial source: MOFA China โ†—
VisitorVisa Required

China M Visa โ€” Commercial and Trade Activitiesfor ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ Indian citizens travelling to ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ China

Indian citizens are required to obtain a China M Visa โ€” Commercial and Trade Activities before travelling to China. You must submit a formal application at the China embassy, consulate, or a designated visa application centre in your country. Apply well in advance of your planned travel date.

Verified 2026-06-20: The China M (business) visa is required for Indian nationals for commercial and trade activities โ€” there is no visa-free or visa-on-arrival business entry. The permitted duration of stay is set by the consular/immigration officer on a case-by-case basis: it is commonly 30 to 60 days per entry and can be up to about 90 days, with some multiple-entry holders granted longer per-visit stays. The figure shown is a maximum, not a guarantee โ€” your actual stay is whatever is stamped on the visa. An invitation letter from a Chinese business partner, passport valid 6+ months with blank pages, and proof of funds are required.

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90 daysโœ“Max stay
~5 daysโœ“Avg processing
4โ€“10 daysProcessing range
multipleEntry

๐Ÿ“‹Required Documents3

  • โœ“
    Completed China visa application form (COVA) with a recent photograph
  • โœ“
    Invitation letter from a Chinese trade partner, company or trade fair

    Should state the applicantโ€™s details, purpose, itinerary and who bears the costs.

  • โœ“
    Valid passport (valid 6+ months) with at least two blank pages
๐Ÿ“‹
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โ„น๏ธWhat to Expect

To apply for a China M Visa โ€” Commercial and Trade Activities, book an appointment at the nearest China embassy or visa application centre in your country. Submit the required documents in person or via a designated courier service. Processing takes approximately 5 days. Fees may apply โ€” verify at the official portal. Plan well ahead of your intended travel date to allow time for processing and any additional document requests from the consulate. Always verify current requirements at the official government portal before booking travel.

๐Ÿ“ŽSupporting Documents (may strengthen your application)

  • โ—‹
    Round-trip flight itinerary (if applicable)
  • โ—‹
    Proof of the business relationship or prior trade dealings (if applicable)
  • โ—‹
    Letter from the applicantโ€™s employer describing the role and trip (if applicable)
  • โ—‹
    Proof of accommodation in China (if applicable)
Note: Stay duration per entry varies by nationality: 30โ€“90 days. Fees vary by nationality (e.g. UK: approx USD 151; India: approx USD 30; USA: approx USD 140). Requires an invitation letter from a Chinese company or a business letter from the applicant's employer. Apply at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre.

๐ŸŒWhy Indian passport holders need a visa for China

Indian citizens require a visa to enter China based on the current immigration requirements set by China's government. Indian passport holders must apply through the China embassy, consulate, or a designated visa application centre before travelling. Requirements are subject to change, so always verify at the official government portal.

โš ๏ธCommon Reasons China M Visa โ€” Commercial and Trade Activities Applications Are Refused6

  • !
    Missing or unconvincing invitation letter from a Chinese business partner or trade body.
  • !
    Application details not matching the passport, or an unsigned/incomplete form.
  • !
    Insufficient proof of funds, or bank statements with unexplained large deposits.
  • !
    Weak evidence of genuine business purpose or of ties/intent to return to India.
  • !
    Passport with less than 6 months validity, insufficient blank pages, or a poor-quality photo.
  • !
    Prior overstay, visa violation or an adverse immigration record in China.

Refusal grounds are at the discretion of the deciding officer and can change. This list is informational โ€” always verify current requirements at the official government portal.

Requirements last reviewed: June 2026 ยท Source: official government portal

๐Ÿ”—More China Visa Options

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