Canton Fair Invitation and China Visa for Saudi Traders

A Canton Fair invitation is not a visa. It is a letter issued through the fair's official buyer system, and it can serve as a supporting document when a business visa is needed. For Saudi citizens right now, you may not need a visa at all if your trip falls within the current exemption.

At Almorad, a visa office in Riyadh, we organise the route for you: registering on the fair's website, getting the invitation, and then working out whether you need a visa. We checked the official sources in October 2026. The rules can change, so contact us to confirm the latest updates before you travel.

What Is a Canton Fair Invitation and How Do You Request It?

The Buyer Service System on the fair's official website handles registration and invitation letters. According to the invitation guide published on the site (written for an earlier session, so details may differ), applicants under 18 cannot request an invitation, up to five invitations can be requested per session, and each new one invalidates the previous one.

Steps to Register and Get the Invitation

1. Register in the Buyer Service System with your email and a password, and choose whether you already hold a buyer badge.
2. If you are a new buyer, enter your name, company name, company country and sourcing intent, then apply for a buyer badge.
3. From the invitation letter menu, request a new invitation, check your details and submit.
4. View the letter once issued, then print or download it.

The site also offers pre-registration for overseas buyers, which the 139th session announcement said speeds up badge collection for new buyers at the fair.

Do Saudis Need a Visa to Attend the Fair?

Chinese authorities announced a unilateral visa exemption for citizens of Saudi Arabia holding ordinary passports, for business, tourism, family visits, exchange visits and transit, with a stay of no more than 30 days, valid until 31 December 2026. Anyone who does not meet the conditions must obtain a visa before travelling.

The M Visa for Commercial Activities

The Chinese visa center in Riyadh places commercial and trade activities under the M visa. Per the Chinese embassy's notice in Saudi Arabia, it asks for documents on the commercial activity from a trade partner in China, or a trade fair invitation or an invitation letter from an entity or individual in China, plus a copy of the business license.

The invitation letter must contain the applicant's details and the visit details, including purpose, arrival and departure dates, place of stay and source of funds, plus the inviting party's details with its stamp and signature. The consular officer may ask for the original or for additional documents, and decides whether to issue the visa, its validity and the number of entries.

Documents Listed in the Official Notice

• An original passport valid for at least six months with blank pages, plus a copy of the data page.
• The application form completed online and printed (eight pages), and a recent photo on a white background.
• Commercial activity documents, a fair invitation or an invitation letter, and a copy of the business license.
• For non-Saudi nationals: proof of legal residence in Saudi Arabia.
• Any document in Arabic only must first be translated into Chinese or English.

When to Apply

The visa center in Riyadh advises applying about one month before your entry date, and not earlier than three months. We did not find a fixed processing time on the official pages we reviewed, so ask the center before booking flights. For timing in general, read when to apply for a visa before you travel.

The form is completed online and documents are then submitted at the center. According to the same notice, an agent or agency can submit the application for you when it is exempt from fingerprinting, with no power of attorney required, and the fingerprint exemption was extended for short-term visas of up to 180 days until 31 December 2026.

What We Handle at Almorad

Almorad offers tourist and business visa services for China, including Canton Fair invitations. We review your file against the official notice, help organise the documents and book the appointment, and the final decision rests with the Chinese authorities alone. Before you travel, the trader's guide to visiting the Canton Fair will help, as will the China tourist visa guide for Saudis if your trip is leisure, and the difference between visa types if you want to understand the visa categories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Canton Fair invitation replace a visa?

No. The invitation is a letter from the fair. A Saudi citizen covered by the exemption needs no visa within the conditions, and others may submit it as a supporting document in an M visa file.

Do I need an M visa as a Saudi citizen?

Under the current exemption, no, as long as your business visit is no longer than 30 days and your passport is ordinary. If you will stay longer or your purpose is not covered, you need a visa before travel.

How many invitations can I request?

According to the guide published on the site, up to five per session, and each new invitation invalidates the previous one.

I am attending for the first time. What should I do?

Register in the Buyer Service System as a new buyer, apply for the buyer badge, then request the invitation. Pre-registration helps speed up badge collection.

What happens after the exemption ends in December 2026?

We do not know yet, because the announced exemption ends on 31 December 2026. Check the Chinese visa center and embassy websites before planning any trip after that date.

Prepare Your File With Almorad

If you would like your file reviewed before you travel, see our China visa service or browse our visa services, or message us on WhatsApp.