China visa free Canadian citizens policy officially launched on February 17, 2026, when China granted 30-day visa-free entry to all Canadian ordinary passport holders through December 31, 2026.
Canadian passport holders can now enter China without a visa for up to 30 days.
According to the official announcement from the Chinese Embassy in Canada (16 February 2026):
From 00:00 on February 17, 2026 to 24:00 on December 31, 2026 (Beijing Time), citizens of Canada holding ordinary passports may enter China visa-free and stay for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family/friends visit and transit purposes.
Source: Chinese Embassy in Canada – Official Notice
Visa-Free Entry Requirements for Canadian Citizens
- Valid Canadian ordinary passport with at least the duration of intended stay
- Purpose: Tourism, business meetings, visiting family/friends, cultural exchange, sports competitions, conferences, exhibitions, study tours, or transit
- Stay duration: Up to 30 days per visit (calculated from the day after entry)
- Period: Valid until 31 December 2026
- Multiple entries allowed: No restriction on number of entries
When You Still Need a Visa
Apply for a visa if you:
- Plan to stay longer than 30 days
- Are travelling for work, study, or journalism
- Hold a non-ordinary passport (diplomatic, official, service passport)
- Hold a travel document or temporary/emergency document other than an ordinary passport
Types of Chinese Visas for Canadian Citizens
| Visa Type | Category | Purpose | Typical Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| L Visa | Tourist | Tourism, sightseeing, visiting friends | 30–60 days per entry |
| M Visa | Business | Commercial activities, trade fairs | 30–60 days per entry |
| Q Visa | Family Visit | Visiting Chinese relatives | Q1: >180 days; Q2: ≤180 days (max 120 days per stay) |
| S Visa | Private Visit | Visiting foreigners residing in China | Up to 90 days |
| Z Visa | Work | Employment in China | 30 days (convert to residence permit) |
| X Visa | Student | Study in China | X1: >180 days; X2: ≤180 days |
| F Visa | Non-commercial | Cultural exchange, research, lectures | Up to 90 days |
| G Visa | Transit | Transiting through China | Typically 2–7 days |
10-Year Visa for Canadian Citizens
Canadian citizens can apply for a long-term visa (L, M, S2, Q2 types) valid for up to 10 years. The maximum validity granted shall not exceed the passport’s remaining validity.
Maximum stay per entry varies by visa type:
- L (Tourist) and M (Business) visas: up to 60 days per entry
- Q2 (Family visit) visa: up to 120 days per entry
- S2 (Private visit) visa: up to 90 days per entry
Fee: C$75 for all kinds of entries
Required Documents for Visa Application
Essential Documents (All Visa Types)
- Valid Canadian passport – At least 6 months validity, two blank visa pages
- Completed online application – Via the official China Online Visa Application (COVA) system
- One passport photo – 33mm × 48mm, white background, neutral expression
- Proof of travel – Flight booking (round-trip recommended)
- Accommodation proof – Hotel booking or invitation letter from host
Additional Documents by Visa Type
Tourist (L Visa):
- Hotel reservations or invitation letter from friends/family in China
Business (M Visa):
- Official invitation letter from a Chinese company or trade partner
- Letter from your employer explaining the business purpose
Family Visit (Q Visa):
- Proof of kinship (birth certificate, marriage certificate)
- Invitation letter from your relative in China
- Copy of relative’s Chinese ID or passport
Work (Z Visa):
- Foreigner’s Work Permit + employment contract
- Health certificate (may be required)
Student (X Visa):
- Admission letter from the Chinese institution
- JW201 or JW202 form
How to Apply for a China Visa in Canada
Step 1: Complete Online Application
Fill out the application form using the China Online Visa Application (COVA) system. Register, fill in your details, upload required documents, and submit for preliminary review.
Important: All applicants must complete the online application and receive online pre-approval before visiting the visa centre in person. You will receive an email confirming your documents are accepted for submission.
Step 2: Find Your CVASC by Consular Jurisdiction
| CVASC Location | Consular Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Ottawa | Ottawa Region, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, PEI, Nunavut |
| Toronto | Ontario, Manitoba |
| Vancouver | British Columbia, Yukon Territory |
| Calgary | Alberta, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories |
| Montreal | Quebec, New Brunswick |
Source: Chinese Embassy in Canada – Consular Jurisdiction
Step 3: CVASC Addresses and Hours
Ottawa CVASC
| Address | 220 Laurier Avenue West, Suite 1450, Ottawa, ON K1P 5Z9 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri, 09:00–15:00 |
| Phone | +1-613-366-1699 |
| ottawacenter@visaforchina.org |
Toronto CVASC
| Address | Suite 1501, 393 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 1E6 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri, 09:00–15:00 |
| Phone | +1-416-345-8472 |
| torontocenter@visaforchina.org |
Vancouver CVASC
| Address | 250-999 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1K5 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri, 09:00–15:00 |
| Phone | +1-604-336-8866 |
| vancouvercenter@visaforchina.org |
Calgary CVASC
| Address | Suite 200, 855 8th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB |
| Hours | Mon–Fri, 09:00–15:00 |
| Phone | +1-403-930-2288 |
| calgarycenter@visaforchina.org |
Montreal CVASC
| Address | 7th Floor, 2000 Mansfield Street, Suite 700, Montreal, QC H3A 2Z6 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri, 09:00–15:00 |
| Phone | +1-514-680-8472 |
| montrealcenter@visaforchina.org |
Step 4: Fingerprint Collection
Fingerprint exemption for short-stay visas (valid until 31 December 2026):
For visa applications with intended stay of 180 days or less (e.g., L, M, Q2, S2, F, G, X2), fingerprints are exempt until December 31, 2026.Fingerprints are still required for visa types requiring a residence permit after entry (D, J1, Q1, S1, X1, Z). Permanent exemptions apply to children under 14, adults aged 70+, diplomatic passport holders, and applicants with all ten fingers missing.
Step 5: Pay Fees
- Ottawa/Toronto/Montreal: Debit card accepted
- Vancouver: CAD debit or cash
- Calgary: Debit card only
Step 6: Collect Your Passport
- Regular: 4 working days
- Express Level II: 3 working days
- Express Level I (Urgent): 2 working days
- Postal Service: ~10 working days
Skip the Hassle – Use a Professional Visa Service
If the process feels overwhelming, VisaHQ offers full-service visa assistance for Canadian citizens applying for a China visa. They review your documents, ensure accuracy, and manage the entire application on your behalf — saving you trips to the visa centre and reducing the risk of rejection.
Visa Fees for Canadian Citizens (2026)
Official Visa Fee
| Category | Fee (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Canadian passport holders | C$75 (all entry types) |
| Other countries | C$40 (single) / C$60 (double) / C$75 (6-month multi) / C$110 (12-month multi) |
Source: Chinese Embassy in Canada – Visa Fee Reduction Notice
Total Fees by City (Visa Fee + Service Fee, Tax Included)
| City | Regular (4 days) | Express (3 days) | Urgent (2 days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver / Calgary | C$132.75 | C$197.15 | C$240.50 |
| Toronto / Ottawa | C$137.15 | C$203.79 | C$249.30 |
| Montreal | C$138.24 | C$205.43 | C$251.48 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Canadians get a visa on arrival in China?
No. You must either use the 30-day visa-free policy or obtain a visa in advance.
Do I need a visa for Hong Kong or Macau?
Hong Kong: No visa required. Canadians can stay up to 90 days visa-free.
Macau: No visa required. Canadians can stay up to 30 days visa-free.
Can I extend my 30-day visa-free stay?
No. For planned stays over 30 days, apply for the appropriate visa before travelling.
Can children use visa-free entry?
Yes. They need a valid ordinary passport.
Can I apply by post?
Postal service is available at some centres with an additional fee (~C$31–32).
Dual Nationality: Important Warning for Chinese-Canadians
China does not recognize dual nationality. If you were born in China to Chinese parents, or were previously a Chinese citizen, Chinese authorities may still consider you a Chinese national.
Recommendation: If you have Chinese heritage or were previously a Chinese citizen, consult the Chinese Embassy or Consulate before travelling.
Source: China Nationality Law (en.nia.gov.cn)
Official Resources
- Chinese Embassy in Canada: ca.china-embassy.gov.cn
- Visa-free policy announcement: Official Notice (16 Feb 2026)
- Consular jurisdiction: ca.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsyw/ConJurisConInfo
- Visa fee notice: ca.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsyw/VisaforChina/202601
Last updated: May 2026 (verified). Policies and fees are subject to change — always verify with official sources before travelling.