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🇨🇳ChinaCA-CN

Canada to China visa requirements

No visa is needed for short visits: through December 31, 2026, Canadian ordinary passport holders can enter mainland China visa-free for eligible purposes and stay up to 30 days per entry. China added Canada to its unilateral visa-free list effective February 17, 2026, valid through December 31, 2026. Ordinary Canadian passport holders may enter for tourism, business, family/friends visits, exchanges or transit and stay up to 30 days per entry, counted from the day after arrival; multiple entries are currently allowed. China says visa-waiver travelers need an ordinary passport valid for at least the intended stay, while the Government of Canada advises Canadian passports must be valid for at least six months upon entry into China. Carry proof matching your purpose, such as tickets, accommodation reservations, or an invitation letter. If you plan to stay longer than 30 days, work, study or report news, you must still obtain the appropriate visa in advance.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-19
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →Canada (PR)Living in Canada as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-19
Visa type
Visa-free entry (unilateral visa exemption); visa required if staying over 30 days or for non-covered purposes
Maximum stay
Up to 30 calendar days per entry (counted from the day after entry)
per entry
Entries
Multiple entries currently permitted within the policy period
from issue date
Visa fee
CAD 0 for visa-free entry; if a visa is needed, Canadian passport holders pay C$75 consular fee plus CVASC service fee
consular fee only
Processing time
None for visa-free; regular visa processing is 4 working days after physical submission if needed
standard track
Validity
Visa-free policy valid through Dec 31, 2026; ordinary passport required; Canada advises 6+ months passport validity on entry
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm you qualify for visa-free entry
You must hold an ordinary (not diplomatic/official/special) Canadian passport, travel for tourism/business/family or friends visits/exchanges/transit, and stay 30 days or less per entry. The policy runs Feb 17 - Dec 31, 2026.
· ordinary passport· max 30 days
/02
Check passport validity and blank pages
China's visa-waiver FAQ requires an ordinary passport valid for at least the intended stay; Canada's travel advice says Canadian passports must be valid for at least six months upon entry. Keep blank pages for entry stamps.
· 6+ months advised· blank pages
/03
Book travel and prepare proof of plans
Have a return or onward ticket, accommodation details, and proof matching your purpose ready. Border officers may ask for invitation letters, air tickets or accommodation reservations.
· onward ticket· hotel or invitation
/04
Complete arrival formalities
Fill out the arrival/departure card and any port-required declaration before or on arrival. No advance declaration to a Chinese embassy or visa application is needed for qualifying visa-free entry.
· arrival card· no visa form
/05
Enter China visa-free
Present your passport at immigration; the 30-day clock starts the day after entry. Register your accommodation address within 24 hours (hotels do this automatically).
· 30-day clock· register address
/06
If staying over 30 days, apply for the right visa instead
For longer stays or non-covered purposes, submit the China online visa application, complete online review, then submit physical documents and pay fees at a Chinese Visa Application Service Center before you travel.
· online application· CVASC
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items
Personalized checklist
Canada -> China · Visa-free entry (unilateral visa exemption); visa required if staying over 30 days or for non-covered purposes
0 / 12 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredOrdinary Canadian passport
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
Canada advises 6+ months validity upon entry; keep blank pages
RequiredReturn or onward ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Proof you will leave within 30 days
RequiredAccommodation details
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Hotel bookings, host address, or invitation letter in China
RequiredPurpose proof
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Itinerary, business invitation, family/friend details, or transit booking matching your declared purpose
RecommendedFunds evidence
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
Recommended backup such as bank cards or statements
ConditionalArrival/departure card
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Completed on arrival if requested by your port or carrier
RequiredAccommodation registration
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Within 24 hours of arrival; hotels register guests automatically
OptionalTravel insurance (recommended)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Optional but advised for medical coverage
ConditionalChinese visa (only if needed)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Apply in advance if you exceed 30 days or travel for work, study, news coverage or similar purposes
ConditionalOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Visa-free routes usually do not require a visa form; submit any arrival card or authorization if required.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Official sourcesEmbassy of China in Canada — Notice on Visa-free Policy for Canada and the UKEmbassy of China in Canada — FAQs on Visa-free Entry into ChinaEmbassy of China in Canada — Unilateral Visa Exemption (details)
Application link included: Embassy of China in Canada — Notice on Visa-free Policy for Canada and the UK
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Visa-free entryCAD 0No fee for stays of 30 days or less during Feb 17 - Dec 31, 2026
Chinese visa consular fee (only if needed)CAD 75Reduced consular fee for Canadian passport holders, all entry types
Regular visa total at Ottawa CVASC (only if needed)CAD 137.15Published total for Canadian citizens includes consular and service fees; final payment can vary by center/service
Total estimateCAD 0 — CAD 137.15+ (only if a visa is required)incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa-free entry
Immediate at border
No application or processing; just present your passport at immigration.
Regular Chinese visa (only if needed)
4 working days
Calculated from successful physical document submission after online review; extra time may be required in some cases.
Express / urgent Chinese visa (only if needed)
3 / 2 working days
Available where accepted for additional fees; not needed for qualifying 30-day visa-free visits.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Staying longer than 30 days without a visa
The visa-free allowance is strictly 30 days per entry; overstaying leads to fines and possible detention. Get the appropriate visa in advance for longer trips.
Medium
/02
Wrong passport type
Only ordinary passports qualify. Diplomatic, official or special passport holders must obtain a visa.
Low
/03
Purpose not covered
Visa-free entry covers tourism, business, family/friends visits, exchanges and transit only. Work, study or journalism require a proper visa.
Medium
/04
No proof matching your declared purpose
Border officers can examine your purpose and may ask for air tickets, accommodation reservations or invitation letters.
Medium
/05
Insufficient passport validity
China's waiver requires an ordinary passport valid for the intended stay, while Canada's travel advice says Canadian passports need six months validity on entry; airlines may apply stricter document checks.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Use the foreign visitor lanes, keep hotel or invitation details handy, and make sure your entry purpose matches the visa-free category.
/02
Registration
Hotels normally register foreign guests automatically. If staying in a private residence, complete temporary residence registration with local police within 24 hours.
/03
Connectivity
Install maps, translation, and payment apps before travel. Some foreign services may not work reliably without roaming or a compliant VPN.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-06-19
Reviewed by Claude Code
Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.
2026-06-19
Canada to China route re-verified
Added checked-date and refreshed official embassy, CVASC and Government of Canada sources; confirmed the 30-day unilateral visa-free waiver through Dec 31, 2026, multiple-entry/day-count rules, and fallback visa fee/processing details.
2026-05-30 · major
Canada to China route verified
Confirmed via the Chinese Embassy in Canada that ordinary Canadian passport holders enjoy 30-day visa-free entry from Feb 17 to Dec 31, 2026; L visa remains the fallback for longer stays.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Canadians need a visa to visit China in 2026?—
No. From February 17 to December 31, 2026, ordinary Canadian passport holders can enter visa-free for up to 30 days per entry for tourism, business, family/friends visits, exchanges or transit. You only need a visa if you stay longer, or travel to work, study or report news.
How long can I stay visa-free?+
What if I want to stay longer than 30 days?+
Does the visa-free policy cover Hong Kong and Macao?+
Is the visa-free policy permanent?+
What documents should I carry at the border?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Canada passport

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