- Visa
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China Business Visa (M) and Trade Fair Attendance: The Canton Fair Example
M visa for fairs and business meetings in China: invitation types, the visa centre process, biometrics and timing, plus hotel notes for the Canton Fair.
- Author
- Seda Turizm
- Published
- Reading time
- 4 min read
The visa used for business trips to China is the M visa. It covers commercial activity, visiting and exhibiting at trade fairs, supplier meetings and purchasing trips. The event Turkish companies attend most is the Canton Fair (China Import and Export Fair), held twice a year in Guangzhou, so we use it as the example. The same steps apply to fairs in Shanghai, Shenzhen or Yiwu.
The invitation comes first
A Chinese business visa file rests on the invitation. It can come from three sources.
- Fair invitation. When you register as a visitor for the Canton Fair, the organiser issues an invitation that can be used for the visa. Registration asks for passport and company details, and the invitation is usually sent electronically.
- Invitation from a Chinese company. The supplier or customer you will meet issues a letter with the company seal and an authorised signature. It must include the invitee's passport details, the purpose, dates, cities to be visited and who covers the costs.
- Invitation from an authorised body. In some regions invitations from local trade authorities are accepted, usually obtained through the Chinese partner.
An M visa application cannot be made without an invitation. The fair invitation is the fastest and most predictable route.
Application process
- Online form. The Chinese visa application form is filled in online, covering personal details, employment, travel history and contacts in China. It is printed and signed.
- Appointment. In Türkiye applications go through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC), with centres in Istanbul and Ankara. Appointments are booked online.
- Submission and biometrics. Documents are submitted in person, and fingerprints are taken from applicants aged 14 to 70. That is why the first application requires a personal visit.
- Processing time. Normal processing is usually around 4 working days, with faster options at extra cost. Times can vary by period.
- Collection. The passport is collected from the centre or sent by courier.
Document list
- A passport valid for at least 6 months after the trip with at least 2 blank pages, plus a copy of the data page
- The completed and signed online application form
- A biometric photo meeting the consulate standard
- The invitation (fair or company)
- An assignment letter from the company, signature circular and activity certificate
- Flight and hotel reservations
- Previous Chinese visas, if any
Applicants requesting multiple-entry, long-term visas may be asked for evidence of previous trips to China.
Practical notes for the Canton Fair
The Canton Fair runs every spring and autumn in three phases of several days each, divided by product group. Decide in advance which phase fits your products. Visiting the wrong phase wastes the trip.
Accommodation. Hotel prices in Guangzhou rise noticeably during the fair, and hotels around the fairground in Pazhou fill up months ahead. Tianhe and Zhujiang New Town, on the metro line, offer a good balance of access and price. We recommend booking 3-4 months before the fair.
Transport. There are direct flights from Istanbul to Guangzhou Baiyun Airport. Fares rise in fair weeks and business class fills early. The fairground is easy to reach by metro, and in some periods the fair badge gives advantages on public transport.
Fair badge. First-time visitors collect a badge at the fairground after registering, and it is renewed on later visits. You cannot enter the halls without it.
Payments and communication. Foreign bank cards are not widely accepted in China and mobile payment apps are the norm. Setting up the app and linking a foreign card before the trip saves time. Some international messaging and map apps do not work in China, so brief your team in advance.
Timing summary
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 4 months ahead | Choose the fair phase and team, secure the hotel block |
| 3 months ahead | Fair registration and invitation, flight booking |
| 6-8 weeks ahead | Visa application and biometrics |
| 2 weeks ahead | Transfers, meeting schedule, payment and communication setup |
If you are going to the Canton Fair, send us the phase and the size of your team. We will build the plan with you, from fair registration to a hotel on the metro line to Pazhou. Visa documents are on our Visa Services page and our fair service on International Trade Fairs. For a general calendar, see our Trade Fair Travel Planning Guide.
