Chinese Visa Online Application System processing steps (Important)
To further facilitate cross-border travel, China decides to, starting from February 17, 2026, extend its visa waiver policy to ordinary passport holders from Canada. Ordinary passport holders from the country can be exempted from visa to enter China and stay for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family/friends visit, exchange and transit purposes. The policy will be effective until December 31, 2026.
If you need to apply for a Chinese visa and refer to the following procedures.
Before Submitting Your Application Online
1. The Calgary Visa Application Service Center only accepts visa applications from residents of its designated jurisdictions (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories).
2. Please plan your travel accordingly. It is recommended that general applicants submit their application online at least 7 days before, but within 90 days of travel. (Exceptions may apply for special cases, and processing may be delayed during long holidays).
3. Humanitarian cases must include Chinese ID card or passport, death certificate or critical illness notice for deceased or critically ill relatives in China, as well as proof of family relationships. For urgent processing, please email the Visa Center in advance at Calgarycenter@visaforchina.org.
4. Chinese Hong Kong and Macau visas do not use the new online system; they continue to follow the existing submission procedures. Refer to the FAQ section on the Visa Center website for details.
Online Submission of Application
Visit the visa center website to register an account, log in, and complete the application form while uploading your documents. Step-by-step guide: https://www.visaforchina.cn/YYC4_EN/qianzhengyewu/jichuzhishi/changjianwenti/552373109378912301.html
After Submitting Your Application Online
1. Please keep your phone line open, as the Visa Center may contact you (numbers: 403-930-2288 / 403-456-0367) regarding your application.
2. Monitor your application status and check your registered email for notification emails (also check spam/junk folders if not received). If needed, log in to update or supplement your application form or documents and resubmit.
3. Be sure to complete the online initial review (“online review completed”) before visiting the Visa Center in person or select VIP two way mailing service ( for fingerprint exemption applicants only). Two-Way Mailing Service detail information https://www.visaforchina.cn/YYC4_EN/tongzhigonggao/552373109378912305.html
4. For any issues, first contact the Visa Center by phone or email.
5. Visiting the Visa Center too early does not guarantee acceptance of your application or expedite processing.
6. Please visit our center within 3 weeks after online status shows "Online review completed".
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Submission of document to Visa center
Who Can Submit on Behalf or VIP two way mailing service
1. Applicants under 14 or over 70 years old;
2. Short-term (up to 180 days stay) visa applicants (before December 31, 2026);
3. Those who have previously provided fingerprint data at the same Visa Center within the last 5 years;
4. Individuals unable to provide fingerprints;
5. Holders of diplomatic passports or qualifying for diplomatic, official, or courtesy visas.
4.1 Material Preparation
Once your application status is “online review completed,” prepare the documents according to the specified format. Missing core documents (highlighted in red) may result in your application being refused. Required:
1. Original passport of the applicant;
2. One recent passport-style photo (taken within 6 months, white background, no glasses, color, 2 inches/48mm×33mm, with shooting date on the back);
3. Original documents explicitly requested on the application form (e.g., for first-time applying Chinese citizens with foreign nationality, or for long-term family visit Q1, S1 visas, proof of relationship with inviter);
4. If choosing collect passport by mail, only Canada Post XpressPost is accepted. When returning via mail, submit a pre-paid envelope; up to 4 passports can share one envelope.
4.2 In-Person Submission
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Submission Time:
Working hours from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, no appointment needed.
(Note: holiday schedules are posted on the Visa Center website under “Notifications.”)
Holiday information:
https://www.visaforchina.cn/YYC4_EN/tongzhigonggao/552373109378912302.html
Submission Location: Suite 200, 855 8th Avenue SW, Calgary, T2P 3P1, not at the Chinese Consulate General in Calgary.
Payment: Debit card (offline payment only). Cash and credit cards are not accepted.
Fee details: https://www.visaforchina.cn/YYC4_EN/qianzhengyewu/jichuzhishi/feiyongbiaozhunjishixian
o Current Visa fee shows 75% of the standard fee (valid until December 31, 2026).
Collection:
Working hours from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, no appointment needed.
o In person: Bring the original receipt; others can pick up on your behalf.
o By mail: Submit a pre-paid Canada Post XpressPost envelope in advance.
4.3 Two way mailing service
o facilitate visa applications for applicants who are exempt from fingerprint collection, the Calgary Chinese Visa Application Service Center will launch a "Mail-in Application + Passport Return by Mail" two-way mailing service. An additional service fee of CAD 57.75 (tax included) will apply for this two-way mailing service.
The return envelope must be a CANADA POST Xpresspost prepaid envelope with a tracking number, with the return address and recipient information clearly filled in. （We do not accept any other courier companies)
Please note:
1. Mailing processing times are longer. Applicants are requested to complete the online review process and mail their applications as soon as possible after receiving the "Visa Application Certificate" via email. To avoid repeated mailing due to incomplete or non-compliant application materials, applicants are strongly advised to visit the Visa Application Service Center website to carefully review the relevant requirements or contact us in advance.
Website: www.visaforchina.cn
Email: calgarycenter@visaforchina.org
Phone: 403-930-2288 (Weekdays, 9 AM – 4 PM).
2. Mailed materials must include:
1.Visa Application Confirmation,
2. original passport,
3. one physical photo with photoshop’s stamp and date on the back
4. the "Mailing Disclaimer."
5. A return envelope must be a CANADA POST Xpresspost prepaid envelope with a tracking number, with the return address and recipient information clearly filled in. （We do not accept any other courier companies)
6. log in to your account on the website, click "View" on the application form, and if there is a "Consular Supplementary Reminder," please prepare the required materials as instructed. For example:
· If you are a former Chinese citizen applying for the first time after naturalization, you must submit your original Chinese passport.
· If applying for a family reunion visa（Q1）, you must submit the original proof of relationship.
Download the "Mailing Disclaimer" from the website homepage under "Downloads," fill it out, and sign it.
"Mailing Disclaimer" download link: https://www.visaforchina.cn/YYC4_EN/qianzhengyewu/qianzhengxinxi/ziliaoxiazai
3. Visa Application Service Center mailing address:
Chinese visa application center
UNIT200, 855 8TH AVE SW
T2P 3P1
403-930-2288
4. After accepting the application, the Visa Application Service Center will notify the applicant by phone or email to make payment via E-Transfer. Please include your name, local phone number, and email address in the payment memo.
Etransfer Payment recipient account:
(please DO NOT send money in advance without Visa center’s notice)
5. Upon confirmation of receipt of the application fee, the Visa Application Service Center will forward the application materials to the Consulate for review. When necessary, consular officers may request additional supporting documents or supplementary materials, or require the applicant to attend an interview. In such cases, the Visa Application Service Center will contact you. Please ensure that the local phone number and email address you provide are valid and reachable.
6. On the pick-up date, the Visa Application Service Center will return the passport to the applicant by mail. If the visa application is not approved, the visa fee will be refunded via E-Transfer, but the service fee is non-refundable. If any issues arise during the mailing of documents, the applicant is responsible for contacting the courier company directly to resolve them.
Contact Details
Phone: 403-930-2288 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm; if lines are busy, please try again later or email for inquiries).