China visa
China visas: an honest answer first, then the right visa
Many Canadians currently don’t need a China visa — and we say so before you pay anything. For everyone who still does, we have prepared Chinese visa applications from Markham for over a decade.
The smart play before 31 December 2026
The waiver expires. A 10-year visa doesn’t.
China’s visa-free pilot for Canadians is temporary. A 10-year multiple-entry tourist (L) visa keeps you covered for a decade of family visits — whatever happens to the pilot. The visa centre’s fee and our service fee are always shown separately.
Visa centre fee (Canadian passport)
$137.15 (at cost)
Our service fee
from $200
Validity
up to 10 years
Visa types we prepare
| Type | Service fee | Standard timing |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist (L) — up to 10-year multiple entry | $200 | 8 business days |
| Business (M) | $250 | 8 business days |
| Family Visit (Q1/Q2) | $200 | 8 business days |
| Work (Z) | $200 | 10 business days |
| Study (X1/X2) | $200 | 10 business days |
| Transit (G) | $200 | 8 business days |
Our fee covers preparing your application. Want us to take it to the Toronto visa centre for you? Drop-off is +$200 (our fee), for Ontario residents outside Ottawa — or drop the completed package off yourself. Plus the visa centre’s fee below, at cost. Every visa type can be rushed: +$100 (our fee) for preparation in 1 business day once we have all your required information, with the visa centre’s express fee in place of its regular fee. We cannot guarantee a consulate will issue a visa.
Visa centre fees
| Passport | Entries | Regular | Express | Urgent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | Any | $137.15 | $203.79 | $249.30 |
| United States | Any | $252.15 | $318.79 | $364.30 |
| Other passports | Single entry | $102.15 | $168.79 | $214.30 |
| Other passports | Double entry | $122.15 | $188.79 | $234.30 |
| Other passports | Multiple — 6 months | $137.15 | $203.79 | $249.30 |
| Other passports | Multiple — 1 year | $172.15 | $238.79 | $284.30 |
The visa centre’s total per application — visa fee, centre service fee and tax — in CAD, from the Toronto visa centre’s schedule of fees, checked 31 October 2026. Passed through at cost, never marked up. Regular is about 4 working days at the centre, express about 3, urgent about 2. The visa fee portion is a reduced rate that the consulate says runs to 31 December 2026. Final payment is the amount the visa centre charges on the day.
Frequently asked questions
Do Canadians need a visa for China in 2026?
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For most short trips, no. As of August 2026, Canadian ordinary passport holders can enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits and transit, under a pilot running to 31 December 2026. You still need a visa for stays over 30 days, and for work, study or journalism. Non-Canadian passport holders resident in Canada are not covered by the waiver.
Why get a 10-year China visa if entry is visa-free?
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The waiver is an explicit pilot that expires 31 December 2026 and can be modified or revoked. A 10-year multiple-entry visa remains valid regardless of what happens to the pilot. If you visit family in China regularly, applying now — while the application process is quiet — is insurance against the waiver lapsing.
I live in the GTA but hold a non-Canadian passport. Do I need a China visa?
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Almost certainly yes. The current visa-free pilot covers Canadian and UK ordinary passports only. Permanent residents, work-permit holders and international students travelling on other passports need a Chinese visa, applied for through the Toronto CVASC. This is a large part of what we prepare daily.
Where do Ontario residents submit China visa applications?
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Through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) in Toronto, which serves most of Ontario. Applications generally require in-person biometrics; we prepare the complete package, book the appointment, and make sure you walk in with everything correct the first time.
I live in Ottawa or outside Ontario. Can you still help?
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Yes — our application service is nationwide. Outside the Toronto centre's district (Ottawa, and every other province), your application is dropped off at the visa centre serving your area, so we complete and check your online application and give you a completed package — the finished application and its confirmation slip — to take in person. Preparation usually takes 3–5 business days, or 1 business day with rush (+$100). You pay the consular fee at the visa centre, so we charge only our service fee.
Markham Visa & Document Services is a private company. We are not affiliated with any government, embassy, consulate, or official visa application centre. We provide visa application assistance and document services only.