What ID does a Chinese citizen need to provide for a visa invitation letter?

A Chinese citizen must provide a clear color scan of both the front and back sides of their valid Resident Identity Card (身份证). The ID must not be expired.

Can a foreigner living in China issue an invitation letter for a tourist visa?

Yes, a foreigner residing in China can issue an invitation letter. They must provide a scan of their passport information page AND a valid Chinese Residence Permit (work, study, or family reunion). A visa sticker alone is usually not sufficient; the Residence Permit card is required.

Do I need to send the original ID documents to the embassy?

No, for the online COVA application, you only need to upload clear color scans (PDF or JPG) of the invitation letter and the inviter's ID documents. However, keep the originals handy as the consulate may request them during processing.

China Visa Invitation Letter Inviter ID Requirements (2026 Guide)

China Visa Invitation Letter: Inviter ID Requirements

The definitive 2026 guide on what identification documents your host in China must provide to support your L (Tourist) or M (Business) Visa application.

⚠️ Common Rejection Reason In 2026, over 30% of visa applications are delayed because the Inviter’s ID documents are missing, expired, or unclear. The China Visa Center strictly verifies the identity of the person inviting you. Ensure you have the correct files before applying.

Scenario A: Invited by a Chinese Citizen

If your friend or relative is a Chinese national, they must provide the following ID documents along with the invitation letter:

Resident Identity Card (身份证): A clear color scan of both the front and back sides.
Validity Check: Ensure the ID has not expired. Temporary IDs are sometimes rejected; use the permanent card if possible.

Required Scans:

ID Front

ID Back

*Must be clear, color, and show all 4 corners.

Scenario B: Invited by a Foreigner in China

If your friend is a foreign national living and working/studying in China, the requirements are stricter:

Passport Info Page: Scan of the photo page of their passport.
Valid Chinese Residence Permit: A clear scan of their current Residence Permit card (工作类/学习类/团聚类居留许可). Note: A standard entry visa is usually NOT sufficient.

Required Scans:

Passport

Residence Permit

*Residence Permit must be valid for at least 6 more months.

Quick Checklist: What to Collect from Your Inviter

Document Type	Chinese Citizen Inviter	Foreign Resident Inviter	Travel Agency (HelloChinaTrip)
National ID	✅ Front & Back Scan Required	❌ Not Applicable	❌ Not Needed (We use Business License)
Passport Copy	❌ Not Needed	✅ Info Page Required	❌ Not Needed
Residence Permit	❌ Not Needed	✅ Valid Permit Required	❌ Not Needed
Invitation Letter	Personal Letter + Signature	Personal Letter + Signature	Official Stamped Letter (Guaranteed)
Risk of Rejection	Medium (If ID unclear)	High (If permit invalid)	Very Low

Don’t Have a Contact in China? Or Worried About ID Docs?

Collecting sensitive ID documents from friends can be awkward, and errors lead to visa rejection.
Skip the hassle. Get an official invitation letter directly from our licensed travel agency. No personal ID required from you or your friends.

Apply for a Travel Invitation Letter Online
View Customized Tour Options

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my friend’s Chinese ID is expired?

An expired ID will result in visa rejection. Your friend must renew their ID card at the local police station before issuing the invitation letter. If they cannot renew it in time, consider using a travel agency invitation instead.

Does the foreign resident need to provide their work license too?

Can I submit photos of the ID taken with a phone?

Yes, but they must be high-quality. Ensure there is no glare, all four corners of the card are visible, and the text is perfectly legible. Blurry photos are a top reason for application delays. We recommend using a scanning app (like CamScanner) to generate a clear PDF.

Why choose a Travel Agency invitation over a personal one?

Personal invitations require collecting sensitive ID data from your host, which can be privacy-invasive. Additionally, consulates scrutinize personal letters more heavily. A travel agency invitation (like ours) uses our official business license and stamp, which is universally accepted and requires NO ID documents from your side, making the process faster and safer.

Need help verifying your documents?

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