1. Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China must be filled out with full accuracy, seriousness and care. Any illegibility or failure to provide information in a truthful and complete manner may lead to delay or rejection, in which case the applicant shall be solely responsible for all likely consequences. All applications are to be considered case by case according to Chinese laws and regulations by consular officers legally entitled to rejecting any application, and altering or revoking any already issued visa without being obliged to explain.

2. Requirements for Visa Application

(1) An original copy of passport with enough blank visa pages, valid for at least another 6 months.

(2) A fully completed copy of Visa Application Form signed by the actual applicant; all applications prepared by people other than the applicants (except those below 18 years of age) should be properly signed by the applicants themselves; for every application prepared by a travel agency, both the agency's seal and proper signature of the actual applicant should be visible.

(3) One recent 2*2(in.)-sized color passport photo, white in background, with a full front view of the applicant's head and shoulders but without any head cover.

(4) From the date of issue, a single-entry visa shall be valid for 3 months and double-entry visa for 6 months; duration of each stay is granted on a case by case basis at the discretion of consular officers in accordance with relevant guidelines; applicants are advised to apply 1 month, or 1-2 weeks in advance depending on the specific cases, to avoid the inconvenience of visa expiration.

(5) In case that one's actual stay in China is longer than the granted duration of each stay, one is obliged to apply to local public security bureau (above county-level) or other competent authorities for extension of stay before one's visa expires; any failure to comply will result in penalties including but not limited to fines.

(6) Former Chinese citizens applying for Chinese visas with a newly issued/renewed foreign passport for the first time should also provide the original Chinese passport, or photocopies of the foreign passport before renewal with all records of Chinese visas on it.

2. Types of Chinese Visa and Specific Requirements

(1) Tourist/Family Visit Visa (L-Visa): for sight-seeing, family visiting or other personal affairs.

a. Traveling to the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR): please contact TAR Tourism Bureau (tel: +86-891-6834313, fax: +86-891-6834632) beforehand and provide the entry permit it issues upon application for visa, or alternatively, contact China Travel (Canada) Service (tel: 416-979-8993, fax: 416-979-8220).

b. First-time application by children of Chinese descent born outside China: birth certificate with parents' names, valid foreign passport or permanent resident card(e.g. Canadian "Permanent Resident Card" or landing paper) of one of the parents are required (both in the originals and photocopies).

(2) Business Visa (F-Visa): for business, research, lecture, science and technology exchange visits on invitation and short-term training and internship of less than six months. Applicants must provide one of the following documents:

a. Authorized Notification Form for Visa Application issued by competent Chinese authorities (government or its foreign affairs and trade commissions) on both the national and provincial (provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions) levels (original or fax)

b. Authorized Notification Form for Visa Application issued by Chinese enterprises or public institutions duly authorized by competent Chinese authorities (original or fax) and both the original and photocopies of business license or business approval letter carrying the name of the applicant who has investment in or operates the business in China

c. Invitation letter (original or fax) from a branch of the applicant's company in China

d. Invitation letter/card (original or fax) from competent national authorities in China, local governments at township level or above, Chinese companies, enterprises or public institutions

(3) Employment/Work Visa (Z-Visa): for applicants going to China for employment or work and their family members. Applicants are required to provide:

a. Original or fax copy of Authorized Notification Form for Visa Application or invitation letter

b. Both original and copy of Alien Employment License issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, or Foreign Expert Work Permit issued by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs of China

c. Authorized Notification Form for Visa Applicationand documents proving family relations (e.g. marriage or birth certificate) for spouses and children of the applicants

d. Z-Visa is valid for 3 months for a single entry with no specified duration of stay. One is obliged to apply for residence permit at the local public security bureau within a month after entering China.

(4)Student Visa (X-Visa): for study and training in China for longer than a period of 6 months. Applicants must provide:

a. Original and copy of Visa Application Form for International Student (JW-202 or JW-201) issued by the Chinese Ministry of Education

b. Original and copy of the letter of enrollment from the receiving school in China

c. Original and copy of Physical Examination Record for Foreigners

d. X-Visa is valid for 3 months for a single entry with no specified duration of stay. One is obliged to apply for residence permit at the local public security bureau within a month after entering China.

e. Applicants studying in China for less than half a year are generally issued F-Visa.

(5) Transit Visa (G-Visa): for transit to another country/region by foreign nationals

a. Applicants should provide a valid visa from the destination country/region and tickets for connection flights.

b. G-visas are generally valid for single or double entries.

c. Flight crew-members and foreign passengers are exempted from visa requirements should they stay within airports for no longer than 24 hours. Otherwise, transit visa should be obtained beforehand.

d. Holders of passports issued by the following countries who transit in Shanghai may stay for up to 48 hours without a visa: US, Canada, Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Shengan countries including Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Austria and Greece.

(6) Journalist Visa (J-1, J-2 Visa): for applicants engaged in news report and other media-related activities. Applicants are required to provide:

a. An official visa confirmation letter (fax) from competent Chinese authorities

b. J-1 visas are valid for 3 months for a single entry with no specified duration of stay. One is obliged to apply for residence permit at the local public security bureau within a month after entering China. J-2 visa holders may stay in China within the specified duration of stay.

c. Media workers traveling to China for sight-seeing purposes are issued tourist visas, in which case it is an offence to conduct any reporting, interviewing or other related activities during their stay in China.

(7) Residence Visa (D-Visa): for foreign citizens with permit of permanent residence in China.

a. A Permanent Residence Confirmation Form must be provided. The Form may be obtained by application in person or through designated relatives in China to the entry-and-exit department of public security bureaus at county-level and above where the applicant intends to reside.

b. D-visas are valid for 3 months for a single entry with no specified duration of stay. One is obliged to apply for residence permit at the local public security bureau within a month after entering China. J-2 visa holders may stay in China within the specified duration of stay.

(8) Crew Member Visa (C-Visa): for crew members (and their accompanying family members) of international air, maritime and train transportation.

a. Where inter-governmental agreement is not available or does not apply, an official visa notification letter/fax from competent Chinese authorities is required.

b. Crew members of chartered flights must submit application letter from the carrier. A landing permit must be obtained prior to departure.

c. Crew members who intend to visit China for sight-seeing or visiting relatives must apply for Tourist visas (L-visa), regardless of the availability and validity of their Crewmember visas (C-Visa).

(9) Diplomatic or Service Visa: for foreign government officials, diplomatic or consular agents who will conduct official business or assigned to a posting in China. Diplomatic and service passport holders should first contact the Canadian Passport Office.

(10) Group Visa: for tourist groups of five or more members entering and exiting China together (at the same time through the same border checkpoint)

a. An official confirmation letter/fax from authorized Chinese travel agency must be obtained and provided upon Group Visa Application (both the original and a photocopy).

b. Original and a copy of group members' passports, list of group members in triplicate with items such as name, gender, date of birth, nationality and passport number printed clearly and accurately must be provided. Members of the group do not need to submit applications or provide photos individually.

c. All members of a certain group should enter or exit China together at the same border checkpoint. Anyone unable to comply must be excluded from the group and apply for a visa separately.

4. Visa Processing Time

Four working days are needed for regular visa application processing. A surcharge of $50 or $35 shall apply for Rush (same day) or Express (second or third working day) services respectively. All Rush applications should be submitted prior to 11 a.m.

5. Visa Fees (except U.S. passport holders)

Single Entry: C$50

Double Entry: C$75

Group Visa: C$40

6-month Multiple: C$100

12-Month Multiple: C$150

US passport holders will be charged $130 if applied individually (types of visa notwithstanding), and $110 if applied as a group (of five or more members entering and exiting China together)

Note: Visa fees are collected on pick-up, only cash, money order and certified check accepted.

 

Consular Section of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Canada

515 St. Patrick Street, Ottawa, K1N 5H3

Office Hours (visa section): 0900-1300 Monday to Friday (except for holidays)

Tel: 613-789-3434 ext. 232

Fax: 613-789-1414

http://www.chinaembassycanada.org