Applying for tourist visa
In order to faciliate people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries, the Chinese visa application fee will be changed to $ 75 CAD per person (regardless of number of entires) between December 11, 2023 and December 31, 2024. Applications submitted before December 11, 2023 will be charged with current processing fees.
Most travellers need a visa to visit China. You need to apply for a visa prior to your arrival. Visa application preparation should start at least 1 month prior to your trip, and it must be submitted in person at your nearest visa application center.
Fees
View an estimated visa application fee
Processing time
4 – 10 days
What do I need to visit China?
You need a visa to visit China
Canadian citizens, including citizens of most other countries, must obtain a visitor visa prior to their trip to China. A visitor visa also called a temporary resident visa, is an official document that will stick in your passport. It shows that you meet the requirements needed to enter China.
Apply 1 month in advance
Visitors should prepare their visa application at least one month in advance but no earlier than 3 months.
Who can apply?
Only Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residence holders, work permit holders and study permit holders who are residents of British Columbia can submit a Chinese visa application to the application center in Vancouver.
If you are not currently in the country in which this centre is located, please apply from where you usually reside or apply after you return to the country.
The Consulates-General has its own jurisdictional areas formally known as consular districts. Only those who reside within a particular consular district of the Chinese Consulates-General in Vancouver can apply through this Visa Centre.
Application process
Step 1: Prepare documents
Fill in your application form and print it out in order to submit it at your nearest visa application center. You can also inquire about the application status of the application form.
Step 2: Submit at your nearest consulates-general
The application form must be printed and submitted in person at your nearest visa application center, along with other required documents.
You must make an appointment before you come to the visa application center.
Step 3: Pay and collect
You make the payment when your passport is ready to be returned to you.
Debit cards, credit cards and money orders are accepted. Cash is not accepted. A receipt will be included in the passport package posted back to you. The Visa Centre will post your passport back as soon as it receives your payment.
Step 4: Verify the information
As soon as you receive the passport, please carefully check the particulars on your visas, such as your name, birth date, passport number, validity, number of entries, and duration of stay. Let the Visa Centre staff know immediately if there is any problem.