Chinese Visa Policy and Requirements for Citizens of Canada

1. Visa Necessity for Canadian Travelers

• 24-hour visa-free transit: All international airports.
• 72-hour transit: Available at Changsha, Guilin, Harbin airports, or Beihai Port.
• 144-hour transit: Major cities (e.g., Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou) for travelers from 53 countries.

2. Visa Types and Eligibility

Tourist Visa (L Visa)

• Validity: 90 days to 1 year (single/multiple entries).
• Maximum Stay: 30 days per entry (extendable).
• Required Materials:
  • Passport (valid ≥6 months, 2 blank pages).
  • Completed COVA form.
  • Recent passport photo (48mm × 33mm).
  • Proof of travel (tickets, hotel reservations).
  • Optional: Invitation letter from Chinese host.

Business Visa (F/M Visa)

• Validity: Up to 1 year (single/multiple entries).
• Purpose: Commercial activities, trade fairs.
• Required Materials:
  • Invitation letter from Chinese company.
  • Business credentials (e.g., company registration).

Work Visa (Z Visa)

• Validity: Matches employment contract (up to 1 year).
• Requirements:
  • Employment license from Chinese Ministry of Human Resources.
  • Medical exam for stays >6 months.

Study Visa (X1/X2 Visa)

• X1: Long-term study (>180 days; requires JW201/JW202 form + 录取通知书).
• X2: Short-term study (≤180 days; requires 入学通知书).

Family Visit Visa (S1/S2 Visa)

• S1: Long-term visits (>180 days) for immediate family of residents.
• S2: Short-term visits (≤180 days; requires invitation from family in China).

3. Application Process

1. Online Application:
   • Complete COVA form and schedule an appointment at the nearest embassy/consulate.
   • Submit documents (passport, photos, proof of purpose).
2. Biometric Data:
   • Fingerprint collection mandatory for applicants aged 14–70.
3. Processing Time:
   • Standard: 4–6 weeks.
   • Express: 3–5 business days (additional fee).

4. Fees and Payment

• Tourist Visa: CAD 120 (single entry), CAD 179 (express).
• Business Visa: CAD 145 (single entry), CAD 204 (express).
• Payment Methods: Cashier’s checks, debit cards, money orders (no cash/credit cards).

5. Embassy and Consulate Contacts

• Embassy of China in Ottawa:
  • Address: 515 St. Patrick Street, Ottawa, ON K1N 5H3
  • Tel: +1-613-789-3434
  • Consular Services: +1-613-562-1616
• Consulates-General:
  • Toronto: 240 St. George Street, Toronto, ON M5R 2N5
  • Vancouver: 100–1595 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6J 1S3
  • Montreal: 2100 Mansfield Street, Montreal, QC H3A 1Z3

6. Key Tips

• Apply Early: Submit at least 4 weeks before travel.
• Document Accuracy: Ensure documents are in English and meet Chinese standards.
• Health Requirements: Long-term stays (>6 months) require a medical exam.
• Appeals: Denied applications can be appealed with additional documents.