Visa & Travel Guide for International Buyers at CIFF 2026: Get step-by-step visa invitation application tips, M-visa requirements, and travel hacks for a smooth trip to Guangzhou’s furniture fair.
Visa & Travel Guide for International Buyers at CIFF 2026
I. Visa Application: Plan in Advance and Prepare All Documents
As an international buyer traveling to China to attend CIFF 2026 (Guangzhou), you need to apply for a visa that matches the purpose of your visit in advance. The process and required documents are as follows:
1. Determine the Visa Type
Priority is given to the M Visa (Trade Visa), which is applicable for entering China to engage in commercial and trade activities (such as exhibition attendance, procurement, and business negotiations).
2. Required Application Documents
– Original passport with a validity of more than 6 months (with at least 2 blank visa pages remaining);
– Fully completed Visa Application Form of the People’s Republic of China (downloadable from the official website of the Chinese embassy/consulate in your country/region), attached with 1 recent 2-inch bareheaded color photo with a white background;
– Official CIFF invitation letter (recommended to apply in advance via the CIFF official website: log in to the exhibitor/buyer section, submit your company’s qualification certificates, and you will receive an official invitation letter with an exhibition serial number, which helps improve the visa approval rate);
– Company certification documents: Copy of the business license of your company (with the official seal affixed) and employment certificate (specifying your position, the purpose of your trip to China as “attending CIFF 2026 for procurement”, duration of stay, and the party responsible for expenses);
– Other supplementary documents: If you have visited China before, you may provide a copy of your previous Chinese visa; if the procurement amount is large, you may attach recent procurement contracts or intent orders.
Click the link below to pre-register now and participate in CIFF 2026 immediately, or scan the QR code to join.
https://www.cifffurniturefair.com/the-57th-china-international-furniture-fair-guangzhou/
3. Application Process and Timeline
1. You can log in to the official website of the Chinese embassy/consulate in your country/region to check the latest visa application requirements (some countries/regions support online appointment or mail-in application).
2. After preparing all documents, submit the application to the embassy/consulate at the scheduled time, or submit it through a designated agency;
3. The general visa processing time is 5-7 working days. It is recommended to start the application 1-2 months in advance to avoid delays due to document supplementation or holidays.
II. Travel Preparation: Attend to Details for Smooth Entry
1. Key Pre-Entry Preparations
Document Verification and Backup: Confirm the validity of your passport and visa. Scan and save documents such as the passport’s personal information page, visa page, invitation letter, hotel reservation, and flight reservation to your personal email for backup. Meanwhile, print 1-2 paper copies to carry with you;
Health Declaration: Before entering China, you need to fill out the *Health Declaration Card* through the official mini-program of the “General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China” to generate a declaration code (screenshot and save it for presentation upon entry);
For communication and payment: You should purchase a domestic Chinese SIM card in advance (it supports 4G/5G networks; we recommend a package with 10-15 days of data) or activate international roaming on your mobile phone. You also need to prepare a small amount of RMB cash (approximately 500-1000 RMB) for taxi rides and small purchases. Besides, you should bind an international credit card (Visa or MasterCard) to your mobile wallet. Most shopping malls and exhibition centers support card payments or mobile payments (Alipay and WeChat Pay require you to bind a Chinese bank card; if you don’t bind one, credit cards are preferred).
2. Flights and Airport Transportation
Flight Selection
Prioritize arriving at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)—it is about 40 kilometers from the Pazhou Exhibition Center. If you plan to transfer through other cities (like Shenzhen or Hong Kong), reserve enough transfer time (at least 2 hours is recommended) and check beforehand the ways to travel from the transfer city to Guangzhou. When traveling between cities, choose high-speed rail and ride-hailing services as your preferred options.
Transportation from the Airport to the Exhibition Center/Hotel
Ride-hailing: At the exit of the airport terminal, place an order via platforms such as Didi Chuxing. Enter the name of the exhibition center (“Canton Fair Complex” or “Poly World Trade Center Expo”) or your hotel address as the destination. The cost is approximately 100-150 RMB, and the journey takes 40-60 minutes (traffic congestion may occur during peak hours);
Airport Shuttle Bus: Take the dedicated “Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport – Pazhou Exhibition Center” shuttle bus, which stops at stations near the Canton Fair Complex. The fare is approximately 30 RMB, the journey takes 1.5 hours, and buses depart every 30-60 minutes (real-time schedules can be checked at the airport shuttle bus service desk);
Subway: Take Metro Line 3 North Extension from Baiyun Airport and transfer to Line 8 to reach “Pazhou Station” (Canton Fair Complex) directly. The entire journey takes approximately 1.5 hours, with a fare of about 12 RMB, and is suitable for International Buyers at CIFF 2026.
Hotel: https://www.cfte.com/en/hotel
3. Travel Tips During the Exhibition
Transportation Around the Exhibition Center: The Canton Fair Complex and Poly World Trade Center Expo are adjacent, and you can walk between them. For intra-city travel, prioritize the subway—”Pazhou Station” on Line 8 is the core station, helping you avoid ground traffic congestion.
If you carry samples, you can book a ride-hailing service, and it is recommended to place the order 10-15 minutes in advance;
Language Communication: Staff at the exhibition center and most merchants can provide basic English services. If you are worried about communication barriers, you can download translation apps such as Google Translate or use the built-in translation function of Apple phones on your mobile device.
III. Emergency Support & Services: Find the Right Channel When Facing Issues
1. On-Site Exhibition Services
International Buyer Service Center: Dedicated service centers are set up at the entrances of Areas A and B of the Canton Fair Complex, providing services such as English consultation, visa assistance, and itinerary planning. You can collect the *International Buyer’s Exhibition Guide* here;
Translation Services: If you need professional translation assistance for in-depth technical discussions with suppliers, you can reserve temporary translators at the service center.
2. Emergency Contact Information
China Emergency Numbers: 110 (Police), 120 (Medical Emergency);
CIFF Official Service Hotline: The service hotline during the exhibition can be found on the CIFF official website. You can call it for inquiries regarding booth location, supplier connection, and other issues.
Contact information：https://www.cifffurniturefair.com/contact-us/
IV. Friendly Reminders
– The climate in Guangzhou in March is mild (average temperature: 15-25℃), but there may be rainy weather. It is recommended to carry a foldable umbrella and a thin coat;
– The exhibition will see a large flow of people. It is recommended to arrive at the exhibition center 30 minutes in advance each day to avoid peak entry hours.
When entering the exhibition center, you need to present your passport, visa, and CIFF pre-registration confirmation letter (complete pre-registration on the official website in advance for quick badge collection and entry).