Fees for Chinese Visas for Canadians

Getting a visa to teach English in China can be a bit of a struggle as a Canadian given you have to apply for the visa at the consulate or have someone apply on your behalf. There are agents that are able to do this.

single entry visa fee of $50CAD
standard processing time of 4 business days
express service (same day) possible for $50CAD - must apply by 11:00am
rush service (next day or 2 business days) possible for $35CAD
cash, money order or certified cheque only.
NOTE: this is a Z Visa is a single entry permit. You cannot apply for a multiple entry permit when this visa is first issued. If you plan to leave China while you are teaching and you want to return and resume teaching, you have to apply to get a multiple entry visa while you are IN CHINA.

Visit the Chinese Embassy or Consulate Visa Office in Your Juridiction to Apply in Person.
---CLICK HERE--- to find a Chinese Consulate or Embassy near you.

If you cannot visit personally, you may entrust a friend or relative or a travel/visa agent to go to the visa office of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in the consular jurisdiction where you live to apply for the visa on your behalf.
No appointment is required but if you are hoping for same day service you need to submit your application before 11:00am and in some cases you need to be there before 9:30am please review the specific information provided above for the Chinese Consulate or Embassy you will be visiting.

Z Visa Applicants Need the Following:

The "Alien Employment License" issued by the Chinese Ministry of Human Resources. This must be the original that is issued by the Public Security Bureau in China.
OR
The "Foreign Expert Work Permit" issued by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs. This must also be the original.
- After presenting the original Employment Permit or the Employment License at the counter, please ask for it back and leave the photocopy with the application only. The original will be of further use in China. Most times they do not have a problem with this. If you FORGET to do this right at the beginning they WILL NOT give it back to you.
A "Visa Notice", "Visa Notification Letter" or "Invitation Letter" from an authorised department in China provided to your school then forwarded to you.
Passport with at least 6 months validity
Passport must have at least two completely empty pages
Passport must be signed (required to make it valid)
download the Chinese Visa Application Form
Attach a colour passport sized picture to the application form

You will be required to pay the visa application fee when you pick up your visa. Note that you, or the person who submits your application on behalf of you, will be issued a chit with a number. DO NOT LOSE THIS. You will need to bring this back to reclaim your passport. If this is lost, only the person who owns the passport will be able to collect the passport/visa application.

If you are planning on having a spouse or dependant travel with you to China you will need to bring proof of kinship (marriage certificate, birth certificate).

NOTE: If the visa application form is not filled out completely, correctly, and legibly, this can cause a delay in processing or the refusal of the requested visa.

Now that you have your visa you have 3 months to arrive in China

When you arrive in China apply for your residence permit in the local Public Security Office within 30 days of entering China.

Chinese Embassies or Consulates in Canada and their Jurisdiction

Chinese Consulate General in Calgary
- 1011 6th Ave. S.W., Suite 100, Calgary, AB T2P 0W1
- Tel: (403) 2643322 Visa section: (403)5371247
- Fax:(403) 2646656
- Consular District: Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan and Northwest Territories
Chinese Embassy in Ottawa
- 515 St. Patrick Street ,Ottawa, K1N 5H3
- Business hours (visa section):Monday to Friday 9:00-13:00(except for holidays)
- Tel :613-789-3434 Fax: 613-7891414
- Embassy Jurisdiction: All provinces notably and preferably those without other avenues: Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island
Chinese Consulate General in Toronto
- 240 St. George Street, Toronto Ontario M5R 2P4
- Tel:(416) 9647260 Fax:(416) 3246468
- Consular District: Provinces of Ontario and Manitoba
Chinese Consulate General in Vancouver
- 3380 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3K3
- Tel:(604) 7365188 Fax:(604) 7370154
- Consular District: Provinces of British Columbia and the Yukon Territory