Internship F-Visa invitation letter

[Manoz]

Hi, just a question about the invitation letter required to obtain an F-Visa. I've been offered an internship at a small company for 3 months over the summer. As the company isn't familiar at all with the procedures, they've asked me to tell them what I require in order to obtain a visa. Am I right in assuming that they simply need to send me a letter containing my personal details, inviting me to do an internship at the company, and then sign it off with their company's stamp? Well, that's basically what I concluded from the embassy's site:

(iii) A Letter of invitation from a company or institution in China (The letter of invitation can not be email, and should include full name and passport number of the invitee as well as the purpose and duration of the visit) or an Invitation letter of Duly Authorized Unit or a Confirmation letter of Invitation issued by an authorized unit in China (An Invitation letter of Duly Authorized Unit or a Confirmation letter of Invitation refers to the letter issued by the Chinese government departments, companies and social organizations authorized by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. For detailed information, please consult the foreign affairs office of the province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government where your host is located.An Invitation letter of Duly Authorized Unit or a Confirmation letter of Invitation can not be email, should include full name and passport number of the invitee as well as the purpose and duration of the visit, and should be used within 6 months since its issuing date) .

3．在华公司或机构的商务邀请函(商务邀请函不能为电子邮件形式，应包含被邀请人全名（姓和名）、护照号码、访问目的及停留期限等信息)，或者《被授权单位邀请函》或《邀请确认函》原件或复印件（《被授权单位邀请函》或《邀请确认函》是由外交部指定的中国政府相关部门、公司或社会团体签发的签证通知表。详情请询邀请单位所在省、自治区、直辖市人民政府外事办公室。此函不能为电子邮件形式，应包含被邀请人全名（姓和名）、护照号码、访问目的及停留期限等信息,且在签发之日起6个月内使用）；

Thanks in advance!

[fanglu]

Different embassies have varying requirements, but a letter like you suggest should be fine. I would add the letter should be on letterhead and should mention that you will not be paid.

[BeijingDaniel2011]

I know for sure that the visa regulations changed again recently and a lot of companies seem to be unclear about how to handle the visas. Many embassies require a letter of invitation not only from the company you'll be working for but also one confirmed by the local government or relevant authority. However, visa agencies aside few people know how to get this new letter.

So far I have only heard of 2 embassies (London, UK and Sydney, Australia) who have asked for this weird government confirmation. I haven't seen the regulations come into effect in other countries yet. I agree with fanglu that different embassies apply the regulations differently and you should check with your local Chinese embassy to see what they might require.

It is also vital that they state this is an unpaid internship otherwise you run the risk of being blacklisted and possibly barred from China in the near future.The company definitely needs to use the official red stamp thing and it should list all your details- passport number, full name, dob etc. It would be better for it to be on paper with a letter head. Some embassies will accept scanned copies of the letter so long as it is printed on good paper but some will insist on the original.

I hope the application goes well!