Does the China Visa Center provide an official invitation letter template?

No, the China Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) does not provide a downloadable template. However, they strictly require the letter to contain specific information including invitee details, trip itinerary, and inviter's stamp. Our template below meets all these requirements.

Can I use a handwritten invitation letter for an L Visa?

Handwritten letters are generally rejected for L Visas in 2026. The letter must be typed, printed on company letterhead (if from an agency), and include an official red stamp and signature.

What is the difference between L Visa and M Visa invitation letters?

An L Visa (Tourist) letter focuses on tourism itineraries and is issued by travel agencies or individuals. An M Visa (Business) letter requires a trade partner's business license copy and focuses on commercial activities. Using an M Visa template for a tourist application will cause rejection.

China Visa Center Invitation Letter Template L Visa (2026 Guide)

Updated March 2026

China Visa Center Invitation Letter Template (L Visa)

The definitive guide and compliant template for your Chinese Tourist Visa application. Meets strict CVASC verification standards.

⚠️ Important Notice for Applicants The China Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) does not provide a specific downloadable form for invitation letters. However, they will reject applications if the letter lacks mandatory fields or an official stamp. Use the verified template below to ensure acceptance.

Official Compliant Template Preview

This is how your invitation letter should look. Fields in blue must be customized.

L VISA COMPLIANT

INVITATION LETTER FOR CHINA VISA

(For L Tourist Visa Application)

Date: March 11, 2026

To: The Visa Officer
Chinese Embassy / Consulate General / Visa Center
In [City, Country]

Re: Invitation for Mr./Ms. [Full Name of Invitee]

Dear Visa Officer,

We hereby invite the following citizen(s) to visit China for tourism purposes. The detailed information of the invitee is as follows:

Full Name	[As shown in Passport]
Gender	[Male/Female]
Date of Birth	[DD/MM/YYYY]
Passport Number	[Passport No.]
Nationality	[Nationality]
Purpose of Visit	Tourism (Sightseeing)
Planned Arrival Date	[DD/MM/YYYY]
Planned Departure Date	[DD/MM/YYYY]
Cities to Visit	[e.g., Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an]
Financial Support	[Expenses covered by Invitee OR Inviter]

We guarantee that the invitee will abide by all laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China during their stay and will depart before the visa expiration.

Inviter Name: [Name of Travel Agency or Host]

Address: [Full Address in China]

Phone: [+86-XXX-XXXX-XXXX]

Email: [Email Address]

OFFICIAL
SEAL
HERE

Signature

[Signed]

✅ Visa Center Checklist: Before You Submit

✓ Typed Document: No handwritten letters accepted for L Visa.
✓ Official Stamp: Must have a red official seal from the Travel Agency or a copy of the host’s ID + Residence Permit.
✓ Matching Data: Passport number and names must match your COVA application character for character.
✓ Clear Scan: Upload a high-resolution color PDF/JPG to the COVA system.

Need a Guaranteed Invitation Letter?

Don’t risk rejection with an incorrect format. Get an officially stamped invitation letter from our licensed agency within 24 hours. Accepted at all China Visa Centers globally.

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Frequently Asked Questions about L Visa Letters

Do I need a TE Verification Code for a Tourist (L) Visa?

For most tourists from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and EU countries, a standard invitation letter from a travel agency (like the template above) is sufficient. A TE Verification Code (issued by the Foreign Affairs Office) is usually only required for citizens of specific high-risk countries or for Business (M) visas. Our online system will tell you if you specifically need a TE code based on your nationality.

Can a friend write this letter for me instead of an agency?

Yes, if you are visiting a friend, they can write the letter. However, they must also provide a scan of their Chinese ID (if citizen) or Passport + Valid Residence Permit (if foreigner living in China). If you do not know anyone in China, you must use a licensed travel agency to issue the letter.

What happens if my invitation letter has a typo?

Even a single digit error in the passport number or a mismatch in the name spelling can lead to immediate rejection at the Visa Center counter. It is crucial to double-check all fields against your passport before submission. If you apply through our service, we guarantee 100% accuracy matching your passport data.

Is this template valid for the new COVA online system?

Yes. This template is fully compatible with the 2026 COVA (China Online Visa Application) system. You will upload the scanned copy of this signed and stamped letter during the “Supporting Documents” step of your online application.

Need assistance with your visa application or itinerary?

Contact HelloChinaTrip Support