The People’s Republic of China sometimes requires a letter of invitation when applying for a Chinese tourist visa or an “L” type visa. The letter is a document that invites the person applying for the visa to visit China. There is specific information required by the letter.
Do I need an invitation letter?
Determining whether or not you need an invitation is difficult. At the time of writing in 2015, the website of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Washington DC states “Documents showing itinerary, including airfare reservation record (roundtrip) and proof of reservation of hotel, etc. or a letter of invitation issued by a relevant entity or individual in China … « Then indicate what information is required in the letter.
Sample invitation letter
Format your letter as a standard business letter.
At the top right, add the contact information for the sender (the person or company making the invitation. It should be a person or company in China):
- Sender’s name
- Return address
- The sender’s address (line 2)
- The sender’s phone contact
Then, on the left side of the page, add the contact information for the recipient (the person applying for the visa):
- The recipient’s name
- The recipient’s address
- The recipient’s address (line 2)
- The recipient’s phone number.
Then add the date . Make sure the date is before the visa applicant’s visa application date.
Then add the salutation . For example, “Dear Sara”
Then add the body of the letter .
Example
Here is an example based on a father who goes to China to visit his daughter and her family:
This is an invitation letter to visit our family in Shanghai during the month of December, to enjoy the Christmas holidays with us. According to the instructions on the website of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China located in the United States of America, to obtain your visa, below is the information that is required for the letter of instructions:
- Information about the applicant for a visa to visit his family in China: [insert name] | [insert gender] | [insert date of birth].
- Information about the visit: You, [insert a relation with the person you invite, for example, “my biological father”], come to visit us with the purpose of staying with us and enjoying the holidays in our house in Beijing. His plan is to arrive in Beijing on December 8 and depart on December 30, 2014. We plan to stay in Beijing during his visit with us. The expenses of your visit will be covered by you or by us.
- Information about the person inviting: I am [insert the relationship of the sender to the recipient of the letter, for example, “your biological daughter”]. My name is [insert name]. I was born on [insert date of birth]. My phone number in Beijing is [insert phone number]. Our address is [insert address]. Other details can be found in my passport regarding passport information and visa information. A photocopy is attached here.
Finally, add the closing , for example, “Sincerely, [insert name]”
Other information to attach
It is advisable for the person sending the invitation to provide a copy of the photo and the main information page of their passport. The person sending the invitation letter must also provide a copy of the residence visa (granting you permission to reside in China) found inside your passport.
