What is a PU Letter?

PU letter, also known as PU invitation letter, is a document issued by China Foreign Affairs Office(FAO). With PU letters, foreigners can apply for a new visa to enter China. As China is determined to control the numbers of COVID cases to prevent a further spread throughout the country, they only allow individuals to enter the country for government-approved reasons.

It's worth to noting that, work permit application is still a required process for the Z-Visa application. The invitation letter is an addition to the process, rather than a replacement for this document.

Why Should I Get It Before Applying For A Visa?

According to the policy, foreigners are not allowed to apply for a visa to enter China until they get a PU invitation letter. However, the latest policy issued on March 15 this year indicates that if foreigners have been inoculated with Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccines, the TE/PU invitation letter is no longer a requirement for entering Mainland China.

Besides, foreigners who hold a valid residence permit will be able to enter China without the PU letter. Tourist or business visa holders you currently are not allowed to use these to enter China.

How To Get the PU Letter?

Only employers are able to apply to their local Foreign Affairs Office for a PU invitation letter, foreigners are unable to apply it personally.

What Documents Are Need For the Application Process?

Although any individual or agency can not apply for PU letter, you still need to submit some documents to assist your employer in the application process. Here are some documents needed for the application:

1. Application in writing by employer (template provided by the FAO): This application letter is very important for PU letter examination. You must explain the comprehensive purpose of the invitation.

2.Application Information Form (template provided by the FAO): You should fill in this form in Chinese by yourself correctly. If not, the application for PU letter will be rejected.

3. Company Information Form

4. Phototcopy of passport: scanned copy of invitee’s passport information page (valid for more than 6 months) & previous Visa pages in China

5. Family relationship certificate: If the PU application applicants include family members, you need to provide the family relationship certificate, including the marriage certificate or birth certificate of the child. Only Chinese or English version of this document is qualfied.

6. Enterprise information background Form

7. Additional documents: The FAO will guide the inviting entity (your employer) to improve the application materials.

How Long Does It Take to Process?

The whole processing time is around 1 month. You need to submit your work permit application first to the local Foreign Affairs Office of your employers. Once this has been passed, they can then decide whether to issue the additional PU letter based on your employment.

Is PU Letter Easy to Get?

The Official Office has strict standards for judging whether the applicant is necessary to come to China or not. It would be easier if the entity is a high-technology enterprise in China.

What Is the Next Step?

Once you obtain your PU invitation letter and all other legalized documents, you can book an appointment online at the Chinese Visa Centre. You should submit an application, provide all necessary documents and formatted photos according to the guidelines. Since appointments are strictly limited at this time, make sure you get all things correct before you travel to your appointment, in order to avoid any delays.

The timescale for getting an appointment varies, and the waiting time may increase substantially at peak times.

What Other Documents Are Needed?

Except for the work permit and PU invitation letter, there are still some basic documents need to be prepared to apply for a Chinese visa. Check out the document lists for different categories of visas on the website of China Consular Affairs.