Do you have friends from companies who provided their business licenses when applying for visas ?

You can apply for an electronic visa online, which costs about 710 RMB. If you use a Taobao agent, the fee is higher and you need to submit a lot of documents. With an electronic visa, you don't need to prepare as much documentation.

The above paragraph has been provided.

No need to provide

Do I need to provide it if I own a company or not if I work for others?

"There is always someone who can do what you can't."

Some institutions require providing a copy of business license when applying for a visa, which I encountered last year. However, this year this institution does not require it.

You must have met a scammer. You don't need to provide it. Which boss would easily give you a copy of the business license? Public officials need to declare, but others don't matter, just short-term travel.

All units need to provide business licenses.

You must provide a copy of the business license.