| 2007/01/01 |
1. The applicant must fill out the "Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China" accurately, seriously, and carefully. The application for a visa may be declined or the trip may be delayed if the applicant fails to provide true and complete information, or if the writing is illegible. Therefore the applicant shall bear on his or her own responsibility. The consular officers will consider issuing visas in accordance with the Chinese laws and regulations. The consular officers are entitled to refuse an application or to alter or revoke an issued visa without disclosure of the reason. 2.1) The original copy of the passport must have at least six months of remaining validity with enough blank visa pages; 2.2) One complete Visa Application Form signed by the applicant; 2.3) One recent 2X2 inches size passport photo, showing a full front view of the applicant's head and shoulders without head covering; 2.4) Applications by mail or courier are not acceptable. Return service by mail after the visa is processed is not available. The applicant must come in person or may authorize someone (no authorization letter is necessary) to apply on his/her behalf and pick up the visa at the consulate; 2.5) 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. Should the applicant's name shown in the above documents are not identical, please provide official certificates. 2.6) A single entry visa is normally valid for 3 months from the date of issue,A double entry visa is usually valid for 6 months.The applicant may apply one or two months in advance, or one or two weeks before the trip to avoid visa expiration. 2.7) After the applicant enters China, if his/her actual length of stay is longer than the visa given, he/she must apply for extension of stay at the local public security bureau before his/her visa expires. The applicant will be fined or subjected to other penalties if he/she stays beyond the specified date. 3. Type of Visa and Requirements 3.1) Tourist / Family Visit Visa (L-Visa) Tourist visas are issued to applicants who intend to visit China for sightseeing, family visit or other personal affairs. The requirements for a tourist visa are as follows: a. For traveling to Tibet Autonomous Region, please contact China Tibet Tourism Bureau (telephone: 86-891-6834313, fax: 86-891-6834632) to obtain entry permit or contact China Travel (Canada) Service (telephone: 416-979-8993, fax: 416-979-8220) b. A child of Chinese descent, born in a foreign country, applying for a Chinese visa for the first time is required to provide his/her birth certificate as well as the parents passports and permanent resident card (such as the Canadian "Permanent Resident Card" or the landing paper) of one of the parents. (The applicant is required to provide both the original and a copy of all the abovementioned documents). c. The following applicants may apply for a multiple entry (L) visa, valid for six months or one year. · Applicants who can provide documents or correspondence to prove that they have spouse, children, or parents who are Chinese citizens residing in China; · Applicants who have purchased real estates under their own name in China. The original and a copy of the deed are required. 3.2) Business Visa (F-Visa) Business Visas are issued to applicants who are invited to China for business, research, lecture, scientific-technological and cultural exchanges, or to applicants who intend to visit China for a short-term study course. The requirements for a business visa are as follows: a. For a single or a double entry business (F) visa, an invitation letter (fax) or an invitation card from the relevant Chinese government department, or local government (county or town level and above), or Chinese companies, or business enterprises, or government institutions is required. b. To apply for a multiple entry visas valid for 6 months or one year, one of following documents should be submitted: · A multiple entry visa invitation letter (fax) from the relevant authority or the relevant provincial (municipal or autonomous regional) government or its foreign affairs office or trade departments; · A multiple entry visa invitation letter (fax) from the authorized Chinese business enterprises or government institutions; · The original and a copy of the business license or business approval letter which carries the name of the applicant who makes investment and does business in China; · An invitation letter (fax) from the applicants company in China stating that the applicant needs to visit his company frequently; · Records indicating that applicants had previous visas for more than two entries into China within one year. (A copy of theprevious visa pages is required.) 3.3) Employment/Work Visa (Z-Visa) Employment/Work Visas are issued to applicants who are to take up employment in China and to their accompany family members. The requirements for an employment/work visa are as follows: a. A visa confirmation letter (fax) issued by the relevant authority of the Chinese government is required; b. The original and a copy of "Alien Employment License of the People's Republic of China " issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of P.R.C. or the original and a copy of "Foreign Expert Work Permit" issued by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs of the P.R.China; c. The accompany spouse and children are required to submit the visa confirmation letter from the relevant authority in China as well as the original and a copy of documents verifying their relationship with the applicant (such as Marriage Certificate or Birth Certificate). 3.4) Student Visa (X-Visa) Student Visas are issued to applicants who intend to study in China for a period of more than 6 months. The requirements for a student visa are as follows: a. The original and a copy of "Visa Application Form for International Student" (JW-202 or JW-201) issued by the Ministry of Education of China; b. The original and a copy of the enrollment letter of the receiving school in China; c. The original and a copy of the Physical Examination Record for Foreigners; d. X-visa is valid for 3 months for single entry, and no duration of stay is specified. Applicants must apply for residence permit from a local public security bureau within 30 days after entering China; e. The applicants are generally issued F-visa if the duration of study is less than 180 days. 3.5) Transit Visa (G-Visa) Transit Visas are issued to applicants who intend to transit to another country (or region) via China. The requirements for a transit visa are as follows: a. A valid visa from the destination country (or region) and the connecting tickets showing transit via China are required; b. G-visas are generally valid for single or double entries; c. The crew members and passengers transiting in China may stay in the airport for up to 24 hours without applying for transitvisa. Those who intend to exit the airport or stay in the airport for more than 24 hours must obtain a transit visa in advance; d. Citizens of the following countries who transit in Shanghai may stay in the shanghai for up to 48 hours without a visa: They areUSA, Canada, Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Austria and Greece. 3.6) Journalist Visa (J-1, J-2 Visa) Journalist Visas are issued to the applicants who are engaged in news report and other media related activities. The requirements for a journalist visa are as follows: a. An official visa confirmation letter (fax) from the relevant authority of the Chinese government is required; b. J-1 visas are valid for 3 months for single entry, and no duration of stay is specified. Applicants must apply for residence permit from a local public security bureau within 30 days after entering China. Applicants with J-2 visa may stay in China within the specified duration of stay; c. Media people who travel to China for sightseeing are issued a tourist visa and may not participate in news reporting or other related activities. Otherwise it is considered an unlawful practice. 3.7) Residence Visa (D-Visa) Residence Visas are issued to foreign citizens who have obtained permit to reside permanently in China. The requirements for a residence visa are as follows: a. A "Permanent Residence Confirmation Form" is required. The applicant must apply to obtain this form in person or through his designated relatives in China from the exit-and-entry department of public security bureau in the city or the county where the applicant intends to reside; b. Residence visas are valid for 3 months for single entry, and no duration of stay is specified. Applicants must apply for residence permit from a local public security bureau within 30 days after entering China. 3.8) Crew Member Visa (C-Visa) Crew Member Visas are issued to crew members who are engaged in international aviation, navigation or train transportation and to theiraccompany family members. The requirements for a crewmember visas are as follows: a. C-Visas will be issued in accordance with a bilateral agreement between two parties. If there is no agreement, an official visa notification letter or fax from the relevant authority of Chinese government is required; b. The crewmembers of chartered flights must submit the application letter from the carrier. A landing permit must be obtained prior to departure. c. Crewmembers who intend to visit China for sightseeing or to visit their relatives must apply for a tourist (L) visa despite the validities of their crewmember (C) visas. 3.9) Diplomatic or Service Visa Diplomatic and Service Visas are issued to foreign government officials, diplomats and consuls who will conduct official business or hold a position in China. The requirements for a Diplomatic or Service visa are as follows: a. A diplomatic note from the applicant's government or its diplomatic or consular department; b. An applicant invited by the Chinese government is required to submit the official invitation letter (Fax) from the relevant department. c. Visa fees are waived for diplomatic or service visas. 4. Visa Processing Time The regular processing time is 4 working days. For special cases, express service is available with the approval of the consular officer. However, an express service charge will be applied. An additional fee of $50.00 will be charged for the same day (urgent) service. An additional fee of $35.00 will be charged for the second or the third working day (rush) service. 5. Visa Fees (except USA passport holders) single entry $50.00 CAN 6-month-multiple $100.00 CAN double entry $75.00 CAN 12-month-multiple $150.00 CAN 6. Visa Fees For US Passport Holders No matter how many entries, regular visa fee for individual applicants $140 per person Regular visa fee for group visa $120 per person Expedited fee same as usual Note: Visa fees are collected at the pick-up time. No cash payment accepted. Please pay by debit card, money order, or certified cheque. The above information is subject to change without notice. Visa Office of The Chinese Consulate In Toronto Office hours: 240 St. George St. Toronto, M5R 2N5 9:00 am-11:30 noon 1:30pm-3:00pm Tel:416-9648861 Fax:416-3249010 Monday to Friday (holidays not included) website: http://toronto.china-consulate.org/chn |