Requirements and Procedures for Chinese Visa Application
I.Visa Types and Required Documents
Visa Type | Visa Description | Required Documents | |
Basic Documents | General Documents( to be submitted on-site as originals) | ||
L | Issued to those who intend to go to China for tourism
| Itinerary including round-trip tickets and hotel reservation, or an invitation letter issued by the inviting entity or individual in China | 1. Passport with at least six months of remaining validity and blank visa pages 2. Proof of legal stay in Canada (for third-country nationals) 3. Previously issued Chinese visas or residence permits (if any; If the visa is affixed to an old passport, a copy of the bio-page of that passport is needed) 4.Former Chinese passport (for naturalized foreign citizens applying for their first Chinese visa) 5.Name change document (if the name in the foreign passport differs from that on the previous Chinese passport or visas) |
M
| Issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities | Documents on the commercial activity issued by a trade partner in China | |
F | Issued to those who intend to go to China for exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities | Invitation letter issued by a relevant organization or individual in China | |
Z | Issued to those who intend to work in China | Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit, Foreigner’s Work Permit or Commercial Performance Approval issued by the cultural authorities | |
X1 | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days | 1.Foreign higher education institution students: Confirmation Form for Study in China (Form JW201 or Form JW202) and the Admission Letter issued by a school or other entities in China
2.Foreign elementary, junior/senior high school students: Confirmation Form for Elementary Stage Students Study in China | |
X2 | Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days | Admission Notice issued by a school or other entities in China or Information Form for Foreign Students' Short-term Visit (Form DQ) | |
Q1
| Issued to those who are family members of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and intend to go to China for family reunion, or to those who intend to go to China for the purpose of foster care. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days
"Family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law | 1.An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China 2.Photocopies of Chinese ID (front and back) of the inviting individual Or photocopies of the bio-page of the foreigner’s passport and the permanent residence permit (front and back) 3. Original of certification (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate) showing the relationship of family members between applicant and inviting individual
For the purpose of foster care, please submit the following documents: 1. Notarized Power of Attorney for Child Fosterage issued by a Chinese Embassy or Consulate Abroad, or Notarized and Legalized Power of Attorney for Child Fosterage issued by Canadian institution 2. Original valid passport of the principal 3.Original of certification (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate) showing the relationship between the principal and the foster child 4. A copy of the trustee’s Chinese ID card. 5. A letter from the trustee agreeing to accept the foster care. 6. If either or both parents of the foster child are Chinese citizens, proof of the Chinese parent(s)' residence abroad at the time of the child's birth is needed. | |
Q2 | Issued to those who intend to visit their relatives who are Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with permanent residence in China. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days | 1.An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China 2.Photocopies of Chinese ID (front and back) of the inviting individual or photocopies of the bio-page of the foreigner’s passport and the permanent residence permit (front and back) | |
S1 | Issued to those who intend to go to China to visit the foreigners working or studying in China to whom they are spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 or parents-in-law, or to those who intend to go to China for other private affairs. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. | 1.An invitation letter from the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) 2.Photocopies of the inviting individual's passport bio-page and residence permit 3.Original of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc) showing the relationship of immediate family members between applicants and inviting individual *For private affairs, corresponding supporting documents may be required at the discretion of the visa officer
| |
S2 | Issued to those who intend to visit their family members who are foreigners working or studying in China, or to those who intend to go to China for other private affairs. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days
"family members" refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law | 1..An invitation letter from the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or studies) 2.Photocopies of the inviting individual's passport bio-page, residence permit or visa 3.Original of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc) showing the relationship of family members between applicants and inviting individual *For private affairs, corresponding supporting documents may be required at the discretion of the visa officer | |
R | Issued to High-level talents | Confirmation Letter for Foreign High-Level Talent | |
C | Issued to Crew member | A guarantee letter from a foreign transportation company, or an invitation letter issued by a relevant Chinese entity | |
D | Issued to those who intend to reside in China permanently | Confirmation Form for Foreigner's Permanent Residence Status in China | |
G | Issued to those who intend to transit through China. | An onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date and seat to the destination country or region | |
J1 | Issued to foreign permanent correspondents of a foreign news agency permanently based in China | Please contact the consulate general to confirm the required documents. | |
J2 | Issued to foreign journalists entering China for short-term news reporting | Please contact the consulate general to confirm the required documents. | |
II. Process of Visa Application
1. Submit application online. Please visit the website of the Chinese Visa Application Service Center, fill out the form, upload the materials, and submit the order, then wait for the online review.
For detailed instructions, click to view Guidelines for China Online Visa Application.
2. Submit physical documents and pay the fee. After online submission, keep track of your application's review progress and watch for email updates. If the status shows "Online review completed", print the "Visa Application Confirmation" from the email attachment. Then, bring it along with your physical documents to the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Toronto to submit them, provide fingerprints and pay the fee.
For diplomatic, service, and courtesy visas, once the online review is approved, applicants should proceed directly to the Consulate General to submit physical documents.
3. Collect visas. After submitting your physical documents in person, please check your visa application status promptly through the "My Account" page of the Chinese Visa Application Service Center website. Once the status shows “Pending Collection”, please collect your visas at the Visa Application Service Center using the Visa Collection Slip issued at submission.
III. Fingerprint Collection
In accordance with Chinese laws and regulations and the principle of reciprocity, effective January 1, 2019, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in Canada have entrusted the Visa Application Service Centers with collecting ten-finger fingerprints from all Chinese visa applicants, including Canadian citizens.
To facilitate personnel exchanges, effective from December 18, 2025 to December 31, 2026, applicants for short-term visas (with a duration of stay up to 180 days) are exempt from fingerprint collection.
In addition, the following categories of individuals may be exempt from fingerprint collection:
1. Heads of state or government and their accompanying family members;
2. Persons eligible for Chinese diplomatic, service, or courtesy visas (excluding those subject to reciprocity requirements);
3. Personnel assigned to diplomatic or consular missions in China, along with their accompanying spouses, dependent parents, and minor children;
4. Persons under the age of 14 or over the age of 70;
5. Applicants who have previously applied for a biometric visa and provided fingerprints at the same Chinese diplomatic mission (or Visa Center) using the same passport within a five-year period;
6. Persons with physical impairment of all ten fingers, or from whom fingerprints cannot be collected.
Important Notice: Applicants must appear in person at the Visa Center to provide fingerprints. Any forgery of fingerprints or impersonation will result in the refusal of entry into China. The applicant shall bear all consequences arising therefrom.
IV. Processing Time
1. Regular: 4 working days
2. Express: 3 working days
3. Urgent: 2 working days
The above processing times are general guidelines calculated from the date of successful submission of physical documents. Certain applications may require additional time, and thus the processing duration is not guaranteed. In such cases, applicants will need to wait for notification from the Visa Center.
V. Visa Fees
To facilitate personnel exchanges, during the period from December 11, 2023, to December 31, 2026, the Consulate General has implemented a fee reduction measure for Chinese visas. The adjusted fee schedule is as follows:
1. Canadian citizens: CAD 75 per person (regardless of the number of entries)
2. U.S. citizens: CAD 190 per person (regardless of the number of entries, except for J-category visas)
3. Citizens of other countries (unless specified by agreements):
Single-entry: CAD 40 per person
Double-entry: CAD 60 per person
Multiple-entry valid for six months: CAD 75 per person
Multiple-entry valid for one year: CAD 110 per person
Group visa: CAD 30 per person
Note: An additional fee of CAD 35 per person will be charged for express service, and CAD 50 per person for urgent service. A service fee will be applied by the Visa Application Service Center. For the specific rates, please visit the website of the Visa Center.
VI. Address and Contact Information
Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Toronto
Address: 1501-393 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 1E6
Website: https://www.visaforchina.cn/YTO3_EN/qianzhengyewu
Business Hours: 9:00–15:00, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)
Tel: +1-416-345-8472
Fax: +1-416-345-8473
Email: torontocenter@visaforchina.org
Consulate-General of the People’s Republic Of China in Toronto
Address: 240 St. George St, Toronto, ON M5R 2N5
Business Hours: 9:00–12:00 and 14:00–15:00, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)
VII.Important Notes
1. All sections of the Visa Application Form must be completed truthfully, completely, and accurately. False, incorrect, or incomplete information may cause delays or rejection of your application.
2. For the online submission, a copy or scanned version of the invitation letter is acceptable. However, the visa officer may request the original document to be presented during the in-person application process.
3. The visa officer may request additional documents, supplementary materials, or an interview with the applicant when necessary.
4. Whether a visa is granted, as well as its type, validity, number of entries, and duration of stay, are ultimately determined by the visa officer and may not align with the applicant's request.