Canton Fair invitation letter (for a China visa)

Before you apply

1. Passport details exactly as printed: name, passport number, nationality, date of birth.
2. Company details in English: full name, address, nature of business.
3. E-mail address and mobile phone number.
4. The session you plan to attend and your expected arrival date.
5. A clear photo or scan of the passport information page, in case the system asks for it.
6. Everything spelled the same as in the passport and the visa application: name, passport number and company name must match across all documents.

Step by step

1. Log in to the Buyer Service System at buyer.cantonfair.org.cn. BEST accounts from earlier sessions log in directly; if you forgot the password, use the reset or the verification-code login. New accounts enter e-mail and password, choose "I have a Buyer Badge", and retrieve the earlier record with the badge number or the passport details.
2. If a colleague is helping you, the application still has to be submitted from the buyer's own registered account: the letter is issued to the passport holder.
3. Open "Invitation Letter" in the left-hand menu, then "My Invitation Letters".
4. Click "Apply for Invitation Letter" at the top right.
5. Check the personal and company information shown. Use "Edit Personal Information" or "Edit Company Information" where anything is wrong.
6. Choose the session you will attend and your expected arrival date, then submit.
7. View, download or print the letter from "My Invitation Letters".
8. Track your visa application progress through the consulate's online system or by phone.
9. Carry the printed invitation letter, your passport, and a copy of your buyer badge when you travel.

First visit: badge and letter together

1. Log in or register in the Buyer Service System.
2. Open "Buyer Badges", then "Overseas Buyer Badge".
3. Complete your personal and company information.
4. Upload the identity or company documents the system asks for.
5. Tick the option to generate the invitation letter at the same time.
6. Check everything, then submit.
7. Once the application succeeds, download the letter from "Invitation Letter", then "My Invitation Letters".

Questions

Can the invitation letter be used as a visa?

No. It only supports an application for a business (M) visa; the embassy or consulate still decides under its own requirements.

When can I apply for the invitation letter?

Applications open 12 August and close 4 November for the session being held that autumn. Apply as early as you can: the letter has to reach you before your visa appointment, and the visa itself is decided on the mission's own timetable.

What information do I need before I apply?

Passport details exactly as printed (name, number, nationality, date of birth), your company's English name, address and nature of business, an e-mail and mobile number, the session you plan to attend and your expected arrival date. Keep every spelling identical to the passport and the visa application.

Do I need the invitation letter for a China visa?

It is the document most business visitors attach to a business (M) visa application, and it is what the organiser issues. Whether your application needs it, and what else the mission asks for, is set by the Chinese embassy or consulate for your country; check their published requirements.

Can I enter the Fair with the invitation letter?

No. Entry requires the Buyer Badge, a separate document. Apply for both; pre-registration is the step that makes the badge work.

I entered something wrong. What now?

Edit and resubmit as soon as possible. Resubmitting can affect an already-generated letter, so check the name, passport number and English company name first.

I have not received the letter.

Log in and open "Invitation Letter", then "My Invitation Letters", and read the status. If it says pending or not generated, check the spam folder and confirm that your details are complete.

Can our exhibitor apply for us?

Usually not: the buyer applies through the official system in their own name. An exhibitor can still help by sending the company English name, booth number, session and dates, and whether pickup or factory visits are arranged.

How long does it take to get the invitation letter?

The letter is typically issued within 1-3 working days after the fair confirms your buyer registration. During peak periods, allow up to 5 working days.

Can I use the invitation letter for multiple entries?

The letter is issued for a single entry (or double entry, depending on the consulate). Check the letter carefully for the number of entries allowed.

What if my visa application is rejected?

The invitation letter itself does not guarantee a visa. If your application is rejected, contact the Canton Fair buyer service for assistance or consider applying through a different consulate.

Can exhibitors apply for the invitation letter?

Exhibitors do not use the buyer invitation letter. Exhibitors apply for their own business visa through different channels. Contact the Canton Fair exhibitor service for details.

Related reading: China visa for the Canton Fair: how to apply

If you are an exhibitor

• Send the invitation information to overseas customers 4 to 8 weeks before the Fair.
• Include your company English name and booth number, the session, hall and booth location, and a contact name, phone number and e-mail.
• Say whether you are arranging airport pickup, factory visits or sample talks.
• Remind customers to apply for the Buyer Badge and the invitation letter early: the letter supports the visa application, the badge gets them through the gate.

Our practical notes

Apply early rather than the week you fly. The letter itself is generated in the Buyer Service System; the visa appointment is the part with the queue. Print the letter, because some applicants are asked for a paper copy at the visa centre.

Practical notes are ours. The official facts above carry the organiser's links.

More on attending the Fair: visa basics · first-time buyer checklist · the 141st Canton Fair dates · all buying guides

After the letter: where each wholesale district sits on the map · which markets match what you buy · browse verified factories by industry

What comes next

• Canton Fair Phase 1: Advanced Manufacturing · 15 – 19 April 2027
• Canton Fair Phase 2: Quality Home Life · 23 – 27 April 2027
• Canton Fair Phase 3: Better Life · 1 – 5 May 2027
• Pre-registration for onsite attendance
• First-time checklist
• Guangzhou districts: which markets sit in which district
• All wholesale markets: what to do with the closed days