Business trip to China: what to prepare before you go

China is a frequent destination for companies that buy machinery, components and finished goods, visit factories or attend industrial trade fairs. Even seasoned travelers are often caught off guard on their first business trip to China: the apps we use every day do not work the same way, almost every payment is made by phone, and communication takes some preparation.

ArrowTur has been organizing corporate travel since 1989 and closely follows changes to China’s entry rules, which have become simpler for Brazilian citizens in recent years. This guide covers what the company and the traveler need to prepare before departure, from the visa to the apps.

Visa: the exemption for Brazilians and its limits

Since 2025, China has allowed Brazilian citizens holding ordinary passports to enter without a visa for stays of up to 30 days for business, tourism, visiting family or friends, exchanges and transit. According to the Chinese government, the policy has been extended and is valid until December 31, 2026. For trips planned for 2027, check the rule in force on the website of the Embassy of China in Brazil before issuing tickets. Travelers of other nationalities should check the rules that apply to their own passport.

Points that often raise questions:

Business is not work: meetings, supplier visits, purchasing audits and trade fairs fall under the exemption. Providing services, installing equipment under contract or working for a local company requires the proper visa, obtained before the trip.
The stay cannot be extended in China: anyone who needs more than 30 days should get a visa before departure.
Passport: make sure it has plenty of validity left, ideally more than six months, and blank pages.
Hong Kong and Macau have their own entry rules. If the itinerary includes them, handle each leg separately.

Documents and a company letter

The exemption waives the visa, not border control. The immigration officer may ask about the purpose of the trip and where the traveler will stay. For business trips, we recommend carrying the following, printed and on your phone:

a company letter stating the purpose of the trip, the dates and who is covering the expenses;
an invitation from the Chinese company or the meeting schedule, with names and addresses in Chinese;
hotel bookings for the whole stay and a return ticket;
the travel insurance policy, with the assistance phone numbers saved.

Having addresses written in Chinese characters helps a lot: taxi and ride-hailing drivers rarely read addresses in the Latin alphabet.

Internet and apps: what changes in China

In China, many services widely used elsewhere are blocked, such as Google (search, Gmail, Maps, Drive), WhatsApp, Instagram and many news websites. For anyone who relies on corporate e-mail and team messaging, this has to be solved before the trip.

Connection: international roaming from a Brazilian carrier or an international data SIM usually keeps access to the services you use at home. Check coverage with your carrier before departure. Hotel Wi-Fi generally follows local restrictions.
Local apps: WeChat is used to chat with suppliers, exchange contacts and even pay. Install and set it up before you leave, along with a map app that works in China and a translation app with a camera feature.
Company rules: the IT team should give guidance on VPNs, access to internal systems and care with sensitive data on laptops and phones.

Everyday payments

Mobile payment dominates Chinese commerce, from restaurants to taxis. International cards can now be linked to Alipay and WeChat Pay, which makes life much easier for foreign travelers. Register and run a test before the trip, because verification can take some time.

Even so, bring an international corporate card for hotels and large expenses and some cash in yuan for emergencies. Decide in advance how expenses paid by phone will be documented: keep both the app receipt and the merchant’s receipt for the expense report.

Flights, time zone and schedule

There are no direct flights between Brazil and China. The most common routes connect in Europe, the Middle East or North America, and the full journey easily takes more than a whole day. Note that connections in the United States require a U.S. visa even if you never leave the airport, and other connecting countries may have their own transit rules.

Beijing and Shanghai are 11 hours ahead of Brasília time. In practice:

plan an arrival day with no important meetings so the traveler can adjust to the time difference;
schedule calls with the team in Brazil early in the morning or late in the evening China time;
avoid traveling during long Chinese holidays, such as Lunar New Year and the National Day week in October, when factories close and prices go up;
check the dates of major fairs, such as the Canton Fair, because nearby hotels fill up early.

Communication and business etiquette

In many factories and offices, English is limited. For technical meetings or negotiations, it is worth hiring a local interpreter or asking the supplier to provide one. A few habits help make a good impression:

bring business cards, ideally with one side in Chinese, and hand them over with both hands;
punctuality is highly valued;
business dinners are part of the commercial relationship and often follow a seating hierarchy;
confirm in writing what was agreed at each meeting.

Business travel to China with ArrowTur

ArrowTur advises the company and the traveler on the entry rule in force, chooses the best route and connection for each case, books hotels close to factories and fairs, includes travel insurance and puts everything into a single itinerary, with reports by cost center. Our team supports the trip Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Brasília time), with an emergency on-call service outside those hours, which makes a difference with an 11-hour time gap. Learn more about our corporate travel management.

To talk to our sales team, call +55 11 5189-4120, message us on WhatsApp or visit our Contact us page.

Frequently asked questions

Do Brazilians need a visa for a business trip to China?

Not for meetings, visits and fairs of up to 30 days while the exemption is in force (until December 31, 2026, according to the Chinese government). Working in the country or staying longer requires a visa.

Does WhatsApp work in China?

Not over local internet connections. With international roaming or an international data SIM, access usually works. WeChat is the standard for talking to Chinese suppliers.

How far ahead should I plan the trip?

Ideally start at least 30 days ahead, to compare routes, book a hotel near your appointments and set up apps and payments. If a visa is needed, start earlier.