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. General Requirements for all Types of Visa

(1) An original passport must have at least six months of remaining validity with enough blank visa pages.

(2) One complete Visa Application Form signed by the actual applicant. Applicants under the age of 18 whose Visa Application Form can be filled by their parents. For the Visa Application Form filled by travel agency, both the actual applicant's signature and the agency's seal must be seen on the form.

(3) One recent 2X2 inches passport-size photo, color with white background, showing a full front view of the applicant's head and shoulders without head covering.

(4) 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.

(5) Former Chinese citizen acquired foreign nationality who applies for a Chinese visa for the first time with a new foreign passport is required to submit his or her old Chinese passport (original and photocopy of front page and extension page) or show an original or a photocopy of his or her old foreign passport, or a photocopy of his or her former Chinese visa record.

(6) A child of Chinese descent, born in a foreign country, applying for a Chinese visa for the first time is required to provide the child's birth certificate (with his/her parents names on it) as well as the valid foreign passport or 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 photocopy of all the abovementioned documents).

3. Specific Requirements for different kinds of visas and for visitors with different purposes

(1) The specific requirements for tourists are as follows:

a.  Hotel reservation

b. Round-way tickets

(2) The specific requirements for family visit are as follows:

a.  Kinship certificate

b. Round-way tickets

In general situation, it is not compulsory for applicants who were born in China including Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR and Taiwan province to provide consular officer with the kinship certificate.

(3) 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 (less than 6 months). The specific requirements for applying a Business Visa are as follows:

a. An original visa confirmation letter from the relevant authority or the relevant provincial (municipal or autonomous regional) government or its foreign affairs office or trade departments

b. Hotel reservation

c. Round-way tickets

(4) Employment/Work Visa

Employment/Work Visas are issued to applicants who are to take up employment in China and to their accompany family members. The specific requirements for an employment/work visa are as follows:

a. An original visa confirmation letter issued by the relevant authority of the Chinese government

b. An original and a copy of "Alien Employment License of the People's Republic of China " issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of P.R.C. or an 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).

(5) Study Visa

Student Visas are issued to applicants who intend to study in China for a period of more than 6 months. The specific requirements for a student visa are as follows:

a.  An 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.  An original and a copy of the enrollment letter of the receiving school in China

c.  An 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 "Business Visa" if the duration of study is less than 180 days.

(6) Transit Visa

Transit Visas are issued to applicants who intend to transit to another country (or region) via China. The specific 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

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

c.   The crewmembers and passengers transiting in China may stay in the airport for up to 24 hours without applying for transit visa (except diplomatic and official passports holders). 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 countries such as USA, Canada, Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Austria and Greece who transit in Shanghai may stay in the shanghai for up to 48 hours without a visa.

(7) 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 specific requirements for a journalist visa are as follows:

a.  An original official visa confirmation letter from the relevant authority of the Chinese government

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 (the requirements are the same as Tourist Visa) and may not participate in news reporting or other related activities. Otherwise it is considered an unlawful practice.

(8) Residence Visa

Residence Visas are issued to foreign citizens who have obtained permit to reside permanently in China. The specific 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.

(9) Crewmember Visa

Crewmember Visas are issued to crew members who are engaged in international aviation, navigation or train transportation and to their accompany family members. The specific 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 visa despite the validities of their crewmember visas.

(10) 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. Diplomatic and official passport holders should first get contact with the Canadian Passport office.

(11) Group Visa

A group visa is issued to a tourist group of five or more who are planning on entering and exiting China at the same time and through the same Chinese border check-points.

Please submit the following documents when applying for a group visa through local travel services:

a. The official confirmation letter issued by an authorized Chinese travel agency

b. The List of Tourist Group in triplicate with each item being printed clearly and accurately including the names, dates of birth, passport numbers etc

c. The original passports of the group members

4.  Visa Processing Time

The regular processing time is 4 working days. An express service charge will be applied. An additional fee of $50.00 will be charged for the same day (express) service. An additional fee of $35.00 will be charged for the second or the third working day (rush) service. Applicant who wants to ask for the same day (express) service should drop off his application before 11A.M.

5. Visa Fees (except US passport holders)

single entry $50.00 CAN double entry $75.00 CAN

group visa $40.00 CAN

6.  Visa Fees For US Passport Holders

(1) For an individual U.S. passport holder, any visa (single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry) will be charged with 130 Canadian dollars.

(2) For U.S. passport holders applying for group-visa, the visa will be charged with 110 Canadian dollars per person.

(3) The express and rush visa service fee will remain unchanged, which are 35 Canadian dollars and 50 Canadian dollars separately.

Note: Visa fees are collected at the pick-up time. Only payment by cash, money order, or certified cheque is accepted.

The address and business hours of our embassy:

The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Canada

515 St. Patrick Street ,Ottawa, K1N 5H3

Business hours (visa section):Monday to Friday 9:00-13:00(except for holidays)

Tel :613 ?7893434?232 Fax: 613-7891414

Official Website: http: www.chinaembassycanada.org