China is filled with historical grandeur and beauty, from the Great Wall to the Terracotta Army. Since hosting the Summer Olympics in Beijing, China has signalled its openness to international business, and in response, tourists have flocked to its cities in unprecedented numbers. However, the visa process for China is known to be difficult, and requirements are challenging to find in one place. This guide will help you go through the application process with a lot less stress.
Where to Get a Visa for China in Canada
Visas can be obtained at any Chinese Visa Service Application Centre across Canada, located in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. If you can’t go in person, your application can be sent via post. Find the addresses and detailed guidance on the official China Visa Application Service Center website.
Note: While third-party services offer visa assistance, they’ll end up mailing your documents just as you would, so handling it yourself could be quicker and more economical.
Chinese Visa Application Cost
The price of the visa depends on the specifics of the visa application. We suggest referring to the official fee chart for the most current pricing for your visa application.
Essential Documents Required for A Chinese Visa Application
- Passport: A valid passport at least six months before expiry with a minimum of two blank pages.
- Application Form: The completed China visa application form can be filled out online and printed; handwritten forms are not accepted.
- Passport Photo: One recent colour passport photo (48mm x 33mm). Note: This is not a standard Canadian passport-size photo, so be sure to stick to the specified size measurements given.
- Proof of Legal Status: This mainly applies to non-residents; documents are needed to show that you are legally allowed to be in Canada. If you’re applying for a visa to China from Canada with a passport that is not Canadian, they may require more information, but that doesn’t lower your chances of approval.
- Previous Chinese passport (if applicable) – Former residents of China or Hong Kong must present original immigration documents and passports when applying, which helps move the process along.
Tip: It is advisable for those with a history of residence in China or Hong Kong to provide comprehensive documentation, such as birth certificates, citizenship cards, or marriage certificates, to support their visa application.
Supporting Documents Required for Chinese Visa
China requires you to have everything booked and confirmed before being issued a visa. Here are the documents they required (subject to changes, be sure to double-check on the website):
- Confirmed Flight Itinerary: Round-trip tickets with traveller names showing your entry and departure dates.
- Accommodation Confirmation: Booking details for your accommodations for your stay in China.
- Invitation Letter (if applicable): If staying with friends or family they need to complete an invitation letter. Depending on the visa, they will also need a copy of the host’s Chinese ID and a copy of the Certificate of the relationship between the inviting party and the invitee.
Chinese Visa Exemptions
There are a few situations where travellers can qualify for visa-free entry into China. It’s valuable to familiarize yourself with these scenarios, which may allow for a simplified entry process.
Remember, visa-free does not mean document-free; check regulations and have all necessary paperwork ready.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
When planning your trip to China, it’s wise to consider purchasing comprehensive travel insurance. While this guide focuses on obtaining your visa, unexpected events such as visa denials, medical emergencies, or travel disruptions can cause significant inconvenience and financial losses. Read this helpful guide to the right travel insurance for you, and always speak with an insurance professional.
While this post guides you through the application process, for the most current and comprehensive details, always consult official sources like the China Visa Application Service Center or trusted online resources like Travelchinaguide.com. With the necessary documents and a little preparation, you’ll be exploring the richness of China in no time.
Have any more questions on the application? Ask them below in the comments!
Happy Travels,
Monique
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in September 2014 and has been updated for freshness and/or accuracy.
Hi M. Choi,
I have a simple question for you regarding the chinese visa. We travel from Montreal, Canada to Beijing this winter, transiting to Vietnam then Thailand and then heading back to Beijing for our flight back home. I know some visas are free for thansitinf 24h or 72h. My question is: what visa do I need to get if:
1) we arrive in beijing jan 9th 3:20pm (from canada), leave to vietnam jan10th 3:30pm (transit: 24h10min)
2) we arrive in beijing feb 20th 8:05am (from thailand), leave to canada feb 23rd 11:55am (transit: 76h)
Thank you!
Roxanne, Canada.
Roxanne,
For your first stopover in Beijing you would just need the 72 hour free visa. Basically when you land at immigration you’ll see a counter to pick up the 72hour visa.
As for your 2nd stopover to me it sounds like you require the standard 30 day tourist visa. I know it’s only a 4 hour difference but China is pretty strict with their rules.
Hi I just found your link I am travelling to China this March 2015 I booked through gadventures I initially thought I needed a letter of invitation so I requested one through their website now I’m reading that it probably will not be needed my flight is booked and so is my trip do you think any harm if i just go ahead and apply for this visa now without it?
Hey Lisa,
If you have your flights in and out of China are booked as well as your tour with gadventures then you’re probably fine. If you booked any extra days at the hotel with before/after your trip, I would advise bringing that along with you.
You’re probably fine with all that paperwork in hand. If you’re going in person to get your visa, it’s better to make an online appointment as lines can get long at times. Well at least in Toronto they do.
What if i am planning on backpacking China? I don’t want to pre book all my accommodations and don’t really have a route that I am following. What do i do regarding my itenariry?
Hey Shaun,
China is very strict and having accommodations booked as a requirement. That being said, many backpackers will usually book fully refundable accommodations and then cancel as soon as they have their visa.
Hi Barry,
With the news that came out last weekend re: 10yr multiple entry visits for China and Canadian citizens, do you know if there is an additional requirement to get multiple entry visa to China or should we just indicate our request on the Chinese Visa application form?
Appreciate it.
Julie
Hey Julie,
In theory it should be easier to get a visa now since obviously you can’t have 10 years of travel plans ready in advance. I’m assuming when you apply you just tell them you want the 10 year visa. Personally I would still have my relevant info ready for the first trip since in the end its up the individual visa officer to approve you.
The full details haven’t been released yet but I’m going to assume that our new 10 year China visa will be similar to the 10 Year U.S. visa. e.g. you need at least 1 year of validity left on your passport. the 10 year China visa would carry over to your new passport also but you would need to bring your old one also.
Note that since this was just introduced I wouldn’t be surprised if the visa application centres aren’t 100% sure of the new processes.
I’m very happy to find your guide. I seem to have a special case, which even the consulate had difficulty understanding. Because I will be traveling by boat, I’m not sure how many of these rules apply. I cannot provide airport info, since I’ll be arriving and departing by sea port. The clerk at the consulate told me I can provide the equivalent info regarding the ship reservation. Unfortunately, this is a container ship, and the exact date of departure or arrival is never for certain. I can give an approximation and the clerk seemed fine with that. Where things got confusing is when I asked if I should get a 72-hour visa or even just abide by the 24-hour rule (free to come and go with no visa). She told me I should get a regular visitor visa (classified as a tourism visa). I’m only using Shanghai as a transit city, but from what the boat company tells me, Chinese immigration needs to see a visa no matter what.
To brief you on my itinerary, I’ll be leaving from Canada toward Korea and Japan. I will ONLY reach China on my way home. Japan to Shanghai by ferry, then board a freight ship to Canada. Literally, I’ll be in Shanghai for whatever amount of time it takes to transit from ferry to ship, with maybe a couple of sightseeing hours.
I realize you don’t work for the consulate or immigration, but if you have any clues or info I could read up on, that would be very appreciated!