China visa invitation letter: what it must include and a fill-in template

Which visas need an invitation letter

When filling in the online form for M, Z, F, X1, X2, S1, S2, Q1 and Q2 visas, the London visa centre asks applicants to enter the inviting organisation or individual in section 6.2 completely and accurately.

Business and exchange letter (M, F)

The Chinese Embassy in the US lists these contents:

• Your details: name, gender, date of birth, passport number.
• The visit: purpose, arrival and departure dates, places you will visit, your relationship with the inviting party, and who pays for the trip.
• The inviter: name, address, phone number, official seal, signature of the legal representative, and date.

The London visa centre adds that M and F letters must carry the organisation's seal, a signature and the inviter's information.

Family letter (Q1, Q2, S1, S2)

• Inviter: name, gender, date of birth, Chinese ID number (or foreign passport and Chinese permanent residence card numbers), current address in China, phone and email.
• A statement inviting the relative to visit or live in China.
• Planned entry date and length of stay.
• Invitee: name, gender, date of birth, nationality, passport number and relationship to the inviter.
• Inviter's signature and date.

Attach a copy of the inviter's Chinese ID (both sides), or passport and permanent residence card. Q1 and S1 also need the original relationship certificate, such as a marriage or birth certificate.

Fill-in template

This is a structure, not wording that guarantees acceptance. Every detail must be true and match your application form.

[Letterhead of the inviting company, or inviter's name for a family letter]
Date: [YYYY-MM-DD]

Invitee: [full name as in passport], [gender], born [date], passport no. [number], nationality [country]
Purpose: [meeting / trade fair / visiting my father ...]
Dates: arriving [date], leaving [date]
Places: [cities]
Relationship: [business partner / son of the inviter ...]
Costs paid by: [inviter / invitee / employer]

Inviter: [company or person], [address in China], [phone], [email]
[ID or business registration details as required]
Signature: [legal representative or inviter]   Seal: [company seal for M/F]

Common gaps to check

• Dates in the letter differ from the travel dates in the form.
• Business letter without a company seal or legal representative signature.
• Who pays for the trip is not stated.
• Inviter details in the letter differ from section 6.2 of the form.
• Family letter without the inviter's ID copy or proof of relationship.