The M visa is the main Chinese visa category for commercial and trade activities. Pakistani importers normally use it for supplier meetings, sourcing trips, factory visits, trade exhibitions and the Canton Fair.
An M visa is not a work visa. It does not authorize employment in China or joining the Chinese labour market.
Who should apply for an M visa?
The M category is appropriate for activities such as:
- Attending the Canton Fair or another recognized trade exhibition.
- Meeting Chinese manufacturers or suppliers.
- Visiting factories for sourcing, quality or commercial discussion.
- Negotiating contracts and purchase orders.
- Attending commercial conferences.
- Discussing distribution, import, export or investment projects.
Apply under the category that reflects the main purpose. A non-commercial study tour may fall under F; employment requires Z.
Invitation routes recognized for an M visa
The current Chinese Embassy instruction describes three circumstances.
1. Invitation Letter (TE) or Verification Letter of Invitation
Either a TE Letter or Verification Letter can support the application. When using a Verification Letter, it must also be submitted with an ordinary invitation letter from the real Chinese inviting organization.
These are official invitation documents arranged in China through authorized government channels. They are not ordinary company letters and should not be purchased from an unknown intermediary.
2. Canton Fair Invitation Letter or China International Import Expo Invitation Letter
Either official fair invitation can be used. For Canton Fair visitors, the invitation is requested through the official buyer system.
3. Ordinary company invitation in limited exemption cases
An applicant unable to provide the official invitation documents may use an ordinary invitation from a real Chinese organization only when the applicant meets the Embassy's stated exemption conditions. These include certain government employees with the required NOC and applicants who have visited China more than three times since 1 January 2016.
Even in an exemption case, the ordinary invitation is still required, together with financial and travel evidence.
What an ordinary business invitation must contain
The Embassy requires:
Invitee information
- Full name.
- Gender.
- Date of birth.
- Passport number.
Visit information
- Commercial purpose.
- Arrival and departure dates.
- Cities and places to be visited.
- Relationship between the applicant and inviting organization.
- Source of trip expenses.
Inviting-company information
- Accurate full legal name.
- Contact number.
- Address.
- Formal company stamp or approved foreign-affairs seal.
- Signature of the legal representative or authorized inviter.
- Date of signature.
The company name must match the Chinese business licence and the name entered in the visa application. The official seal is normally circular; a suspicious or forged seal can cause the application to be returned.
Core document checklist
The exact file depends on the invitation route and applicant profile, but a Pakistani M-visa applicant should prepare:
- Passport valid for more than six months with a blank visa page.
- Copy of passport information page.
- CNIC copies, front and back.
- Recent compliant photograph.
- Completed online visa application.
- Visa Application Certificate after online approval.
- Relevant invitation document.
- Ordinary invitation letter when required.
- Personal bank statements for the latest six months where required.
- Police character/clearance certificate meeting QR-code or apostille rules.
- Return itinerary and hotel reservation, particularly for a first visit or when requested.
- Previous passports and previous China visas where applicable.
- Evidence of the Pakistani business or employment when requested.
Additional documents can be required based on the case.
Bank statement requirement
Where the M-visa route requires personal financial evidence, the Embassy states that the closing balance should cover the actual stay at no less than USD 100 per day or the Pakistani-rupee equivalent.
The account activity should look genuine and consistent with the applicant's profile. A large unexplained deposit immediately before application can create questions.
Police certificate requirement
The current common-document instruction requires applicants aged ten and above to submit a valid police character/clearance certificate. If the document does not contain a verifiable QR code, it must be apostilled by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Scan the QR code yourself and make sure it opens the correct document.
Application process
- Select Islamabad, Lahore or Karachi based on permanent residence.
- Create an account on the official Visa Application Service Centre website.
- Complete the form and upload all documents.
- Enter the inviting Chinese organization's legal name exactly.
- Submit and wait for online review.
- Correct any returned item.
- After online approval, print the Visa Application Certificate.
- Submit the passport and originals at the relevant centre.
- Pay the service fee.
- Collect the passport on the estimated date or when notified.
Online approval is not visa approval.
M visa for the Canton Fair
A Canton Fair buyer should keep these items consistent:
- Buyer-registration account.
- Canton Fair invitation.
- Visa application purpose.
- Guangzhou hotel dates.
- Return-flight itinerary.
- Chinese contact or event details.
- Intended fair phase.
The 140th Canton Fair dates are:
- Phase 1: 15-19 October 2026.
- Phase 2: 23-27 October 2026.
- Phase 3: 31 October-4 November 2026.
Your itinerary should match the phase relevant to your products.
Validity, entries and duration of stay
Applicants may request single, double or multiple entry, but the Embassy determines what is issued. Visa validity, number of entries and duration of each stay depend on the application, invitation, travel history and official assessment.
Do not confuse:
- Validity: the period during which the visa may be used to enter China.
- Entries: how many times you can enter.
- Duration of stay: how long you may remain after each entry.
Check the issued visa immediately when collecting the passport.
Official cost
For Pakistani citizens, the current published Chinese visa fee is PKR 0. The Visa Application Service Centre currently charges PKR 13,200 for regular service or PKR 19,800 for express service, inclusive of GST. Invitation, police certificate, apostille, courier and private assistance costs are separate.
Processing time
The Embassy states that it generally needs four working days after receiving the case. The Visa Application Service Centre's normal process describes passport collection on the sixth working day after offline submission. Online review and document corrections occur before this and can add significant time.
Apply early enough to handle corrections without risking non-refundable travel.
Frequent M-visa mistakes
- Using a fake TE, Verification or ordinary invitation letter.
- Invitation company name not matching the business licence.
- Entering a contact person instead of the inviting company in the form.
- Invalid Chinese phone number.
- Invitation missing dates, cities, expense source or signature.
- Non-compliant company seal.
- Bank statement not covering USD 100 per day.
- Police certificate QR code not working.
- Applying for M when the real purpose is employment.
- Flight and hotel dates conflicting with the invitation.
Can a supplier issue an invitation?
A real Chinese supplier can issue an ordinary company invitation containing all required information and a valid seal. Whether that letter is sufficient depends on the applicant's invitation route and eligibility for the TE/Verification exemption. A first-time applicant should not assume an ordinary supplier letter alone is enough.
Can ChinaChallo provide an invitation?
ChinaChallo coordinates invitation documentation for accepted delegates through its China-side operation and the appropriate event or business channels. The documents must reflect the genuine trip, applicant and itinerary. ChinaChallo does not sell stand-alone fake invitations and does not guarantee visa approval.
After receiving the visa
- Check name, passport number, category, entries, validity and duration.
- Carry invitation, hotel, return flight and business contacts when travelling.
- Follow the stated commercial purpose.
- Do not work illegally.
- Keep supplier and factory meeting details accessible for border questions.
Frequently asked questions
Is the M visa the correct visa for the Canton Fair?
Yes, for a Pakistani buyer attending for trade and sourcing. The official Canton Fair invitation is recognized as an M-visa invitation route.
Can I use an Alibaba supplier's invitation?
Only when it is issued by a real Chinese legal entity, contains all required details and fits the Embassy's permitted invitation route. Verify the company and seal.
Does previous China travel remove the need for an invitation?
Applicants with more than three China visits since 1 January 2016 may qualify for exemption from TE or Verification Letter requirements, but still need an ordinary invitation and other specified documents.
Can I apply for multiple entry on my first trip?
You may request it, but the Embassy decides the entries issued.
Can a tourist attend business meetings on an L visa?
Apply according to the primary purpose. A sourcing and trade trip should be presented as business under M.
ChinaChallo business-delegation support
ChinaChallo can align phase selection, invitation documentation, visa file, flight and hotel dates, Canton Fair registration, translators and factory meetings for accepted delegates. This reduces inconsistent paperwork and allows the traveller to focus on sourcing.
Official sources for this update
- Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, Instruction for Chinese Visa Application, 28 April 2025.
- Chinese Visa Application Service Centre, M-visa category and online process.
- Canton Fair official buyer invitation service.
- Current Visa Application Service Centre fee schedule.
Final visa decisions belong to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate. Requirements can change and additional documents may be requested.
ChinaChallo is not an embassy, consulate or government department. Visa rules, fees, processing times and fair arrangements can change. This page is informational and is not a promise of visa approval, supplier performance or customs outcome. See official sources.