Canada to China tourist visa
Complete China L Visa requirements, fees, processing times, and application guide for Canadian citizens. Updated December 2025.
- Visa
- China Tourist Visa
- Fee
- C$75
- Processing time
- 4–5 business days
- Length of stay
- 30–90 days per entry
Required documents
- Valid Passport — Your Canadian passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned entry date
- Online Application Form — Complete the online visa application at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center website
- Passport Photograph — One recent passport-sized colour photograph meeting Chinese visa specifications
- Travel Itinerary — Round-trip flight bookings and accommodation reservations in China
- Canadian Residency Proof — Document proving your legal status in Canada
How to apply
- Clear travel purpose — Detailed itinerary showing tourism activities
- Valid travel documents — Passport with 6+ months validity and blank pages
- Accommodation arrangements — Hotel bookings or invitation from Chinese host
- Financial capability — Ability to support yourself during the visit
- Return plans — Round-trip flight bookings showing departure from China
- Visa validity dates cover your — Visa validity dates cover your intended travel period
Common questions
- Do Canadians need a visa to visit China?
- Yes, Canadian citizens require a visa (L Visa) for tourism in China. However, there are visa-free options: 240-hour visa-free transit through designated ports if traveling to a third country, and 30-day visa-free entry to Hainan Province.
- What is the China visa fee for Canadians in 2025?
- Canadian passport holders benefit from a reduced visa fee of C$75 (all entry types) until December 31, 2025. The full rate through CVASC is C$137.15 including service fees. Express processing costs C$203–249.
- How long does Chinese visa processing take from Canada?
- Standard processing takes 4–5 business days after submitting physical documents at CVASC. The online application review takes an additional 3–5 days beforehand. Express service can reduce physical processing to 2–3 business days.
- Can I visit China without a visa?
- Yes, in limited cases. Canadians can transit through China visa-free for up to 240 hours (10 days) if traveling to a third country. Additionally, Hainan Province offers 30-day visa-free entry for tourism since February 2024.
- Do I need to provide fingerprints for a Chinese visa?
- As of September 2024, fingerprint collection has been waived for short-term visa applicants (stays up to 180 days). This exemption applies to most tourist visa applications from Canada.
- What is the 240-hour visa-free transit?
- Canadians can enter China without a visa for up to 240 hours when transiting to a third country. You must enter and exit through designated ports and cannot travel to restricted areas. This is ideal for stopovers in major Chinese cities.