Don’t issue invitation letters for strangers, and don’t let others use your name for immigration paperwork

10. Don’t issue invitation letters for strangers, and don’t let others use your name for immigration paperwork

Cost: No monetary cost. The hard part is politely declining such a request in person.

In plain terms: Issuing an invitation letter or application documents on someone else’s behalf with false information makes the issuer legally liable. Individuals face fines ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 yuan, plus any illegal earnings are confiscated. Organizations are fined 10,000 to 50,000 yuan, and the individuals directly involved are fined an additional 5,000 to 10,000 yuan. One simple act of kindness can end up costing you a lot of money.

Benefit: Anyone who issues an invitation letter must ensure its contents are truthful. The original regulation states: “Individuals who submit false invitation letters or other application materials for others’ visa or residence permit applications will be fined between 5,000 and 10,000 yuan by immigration authorities; any illegal earnings will also be confiscated.” Organizations found issuing false documents face fines of 10,000 to 50,000 yuan. Additionally, the directly responsible supervisors and staff involved are fined 5,000 to 10,000 yuan each.

Evidence grade: A

Sources: State Council of China (2026). Provisions on Exit and Entry Management (National Order No. 841). <https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202607/content_7077173.htm> (Article 3, Article 11)

Notes: This carries the same risks as the advice in Section 8: “Don’t carry items for strangers.” Once you sign a document or stamp a form, you assume full responsibility for its contents. Government employees and military personnel who attempt to obtain foreign citizenship or residency through intermediaries must report such attempts to oversight authorities — intermediaries cannot assist with such illegal requests.