Family Visit/Tourism on an 'M' Visa...

Question

Hi guys,

I hope everything is well.

So, I have a dilemma (maybe). I am a British passport holder and I have a 2 year multiple entry Business Visa for China ('M' visa) and I visited Shanghai earlier in the year for, well business (we have projects going on other there), and I'll likely need to visit Shanghai again next year for business.

Now, later this year we (my wife and I) are planning on going to Guangzhou (with a a few days in Hong Kong in the middle) to see her family and to do tourism things. She has a tourist visa, and I, of course, have the aforementioned Business one. Am I allowed to enter China for a family visit/tourism reasons on such an 'M' visa or do I need to get this cancelled to get a tourist one (then presumably I would then need to cancel this to get a business one again)?

I asked at the Chinese visa centre in Edinburgh when applying for my Business visa and the guy was bewildered that I would ask such a question, and said he couldn't tell me the answer as there "isn't one". He then continued saying that a Business one is "better" than a tourist one, and that you're only allowed one active China visa in your passport anyway.

A Google search has no definitive answer and calls to the embassy go nowhere.

Maybe I'm overthinking it... Has anyone else had a similar situation?

Thanks guys.

Answer

In China, the 'M' visa is officially a business visa, and it is intended primarily for activities such as attending meetings, negotiating contracts, or visiting business partners. There is no explicit legal restriction that prevents someone with an 'M' visa from entering China and engaging in tourism or visiting family, but immigration authorities have the discretion to decide the purpose of entry at the port of entry.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of considerations:

Purpose of Entry: Technically, an 'M' visa is for business purposes. Entering for tourism or family visits may be considered outside the visa’s intended scope. However, in practice, many travelers with 'M' visas have entered China without issue and engaged in personal activities, as long as the stay is not excessively long and there is no commercial activity beyond business meetings.
Single vs. Multiple Active Visas: Your concern about having only one active visa in your passport is accurate. You cannot hold two Chinese visas of different types in the same passport that overlap in validity. You would need to choose one visa for the period of travel, but switching visas (e.g., cancelling the 'M' to get an 'L') is usually unnecessary unless the immigration officer specifically requires it.
Entry Discretion: Chinese border officers have the authority to question your purpose of visit. If they are satisfied that your visit is primarily for business but includes personal/family activities, they typically allow entry. Carrying supporting documents (hotel bookings, invitation letters, or your itinerary) can help clarify your intentions.

Practical advice from travelers with similar experiences:

Most British passport holders with multiple-entry 'M' visas have successfully entered China for short family visits or tourism without changing their visa.
If you anticipate extensive tourism or staying long-term with a focus on family visits, some travelers opt to apply for a standard tourist 'L' visa instead. This avoids any ambiguity, but it requires cancelling or overlapping with the existing 'M' visa carefully.
Keeping documentation of your business activity (if questioned) and your itinerary for Guangzhou/Hong Kong is helpful.
Do not misrepresent your entry purpose if asked by immigration officials; answer honestly but concisely.

Summary:

You are likely to be allowed to enter China on your 'M' visa for a short family/tourism visit, especially with a clear, reasonable itinerary. There is no formal requirement to cancel the 'M' visa to switch to a tourist visa unless the immigration officer specifically advises it. Carry supporting documentation and be ready to clarify your travel plans if asked.

Family Visit/Tourism on an 'M' Visa...

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