(S1) Family member of foreigner(s) staying or residing in China or person who needs to come to China for personal matters (more than 180 days)

Our center does not accept applications by mail. If you are not exempt from fingerprint collection (see eligibility for fingerprint exemption), you must submit your application in person at the Visa Application Service Center.

If you choose the return mailing service, please inform the staff and provide a prepaid Xpresspost envelope from Canada Post when submitting your passport. (Note: Expedited service is not available for return-by-mail applications.) Applicants going to the same address may share one envelope (maximum 4 passports).

Visa applicants who are exempt from fingerprinting may authorize a representative (such as a guardian, friend, or travel agency) to submit the application on their behalf.

Currently, the center only accepts in-person payments via debit card. Cash and credit cards are not accepted. Please refer to the Visa Center website for fee standards.

⚠️ Important: The 2013 version of the "Visa Application Form of the People’s Republic of China" is no longer accepted. Applicants must complete the application online through this website. After passing the online pre-check, you will receive a “Visa Application Submission Notice” via email. The center does not accept handwritten or outdated application forms.

STEP4: Pick up your passport.
Pick-up can be done either in person or by mail (additional fees apply for mailing). For in-person pickup, another person may collect the passport on your behalf with the original pickup form. For mailing, you have to provide the envelope in advance. Applicants at the same mailing address may share one envelope (maximum 4 passports).

After Completing Online Pre-check and Receiving the "Visa Application Submission Notice", Please Bring the Following Documents to the Visa Center:

(1) Passport:

-Original passport with at least 6 months of validity and at least 2 blank visa pages.

-If you hold multiple nationalities and one is Canadian, you must use your Canadian passport for the visa application.

(2) Visa Photo:

- One recent (within 6 months), color, front-facing, no hat, white background photo. Size: 48mm × 33mm

(3) Other Original Documents:

1.  Original Chinese passport (if you were previously a Chinese citizen and now hold a foreign nationality):

o    Required when applying for a Chinese visa for the first time.

2.  Relationship documents for Q1 or S1 (long-term family visit) visa applicants:

o    Original proof of relationship with the inviter.

Documents Required for Online Submission:

(1) Passport

(2) Legal Residency Proof

(For those applying outside their nationality country)
If you're applying in a country other than your nationality, upload valid proof of legal residence (valid for more than 6 months), such as a PR card, work permit, or study permit.
Note: The visa officer will determine the visa’s validity, number of entries, and duration of stay based on your documents.

(3) Previous Chinese Passport or Visa

(For former Chinese citizens who now hold foreign nationality)

1.  First-time applicants must upload the personal info page of your most recent Chinese passport.

o    If unavailable, upload a signed explanation letter stating the reason.

2.  If you previously held a Chinese visa and now use a new passport, upload:

o    The info page of your old passport, and

o    The Chinese visa from the old passport.

o    If the names differ between passports, include official name change documents.

(4) For Foreign-born Children of Chinese Citizens or Mixed-nationality Parents (First-time Visa Application):

If the applicant was born abroad and meets any of the following:

1.  Both parents were Chinese citizens at the time of birth, and at least one held Canadian PR;

2.  One parent was a foreigner, the other a Chinese citizen with Canadian PR;

3.  Both parents were former Chinese citizens and later became foreign nationals;

You must upload:

a. The applicant’s birth certificate (must show parents’ names);
b. Proof of parents' immigration status in Canada at the time of birth:

·         For PR holders: landing paper or PR card (front and back);

·         For naturalized citizens: citizenship certificate, citizen card (front/back), or passport info page showing the applicant’s date of birth.

c. Current valid Canadian IDs of both parents:

·         PR holders: Chinese passport info page

·         Naturalized citizens: Canadian passport info page

⚠️ Special Notice on Chinese Nationality:

According to the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China, the applicant is considered a Chinese national (and must apply for a Travel Document, not a visa) if:

1.  The applicant was born in Canada, and both parents or one parent was a Chinese citizen without Canadian PR or other permanent residency at the time of birth;

2.  The applicant was born in China to one Chinese and one foreign parent.

In such cases, please contact the Chinese Consulate for a Travel Document application.

(5) For Foreign-born Children of Mixed-nationality Parents Who Previously Obtained a Chinese Visa:

Please upload the following:

a. Info page of the old passport and the Chinese visa;
b. Applicant's birth certificate (showing parents' names);
c. Current ID proof of both parents in Canada:

·         PR-holding Chinese citizens: Chinese passport info page + PR card (front/back)

·         Canadian citizens: Canadian passport info page

(6) Additional Documents Based on Visa Type:

Please refer to the visa type-specific requirements for documents to be uploaded.

Applicants who are going to visit their relatives residing in China(foreigners holding Z visa or X1 visa) and intend to stay for more than 180 days need to provide: 
(1) A photocopy of the inviting party’s passport and residence permit.
(2) An invitation letter that contains (download from FAQ and check the format requirment):
a) Information of the applicant (incl. full name, gender, passport number,date of birth, etc.);
b) Information regarding the visit (incl. purpose of visit, intended arrival date, intended place(s) to stay, intended duration of stay, relationship between the applicant and the inviting party, and details of any financial support to be provided during the stay in China);
c) Information of the inviting party (incl. name, contact telephone number, address, signature of individual).
(3) Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between the applicants and the inviting parties.
"Relatives" refers to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18, parents in law.

Accompanying family members applying together with applicants of Z-Visa or X1-Visa need to provide: 
(1) A photocopy of the application documents of Z-Visa or X1-Visa.
(2) Original and photocopy of notarized and authenticated certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between applicants and inviting parties.
"Relatives" refers to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18, parents in law.
 

We kindly remind you that:
Holders of S1-Visa must apply for a residence permit from the immigration department of the local public security authority in the place intended to stay within 30 days of entry to China.

(1) the consular officer may require the applicant to submit the original of the invitation letter. An issuer of invitation letter who is an individual in China should also provide a photocopy of his/her Chinese ID. The invitation letter shall be in Chinese, Otherwise, Chinese translation is requested.

(2) If necessary, the consular officer may require the applicant to provide other proof documents or supplementary materials, or require an interview with the applicant.

(3) The consular officer will decide on whether or not to issue the visa and they will make the  final decision on its validity, duration of stay and number of entries in light of specific conditions of the applicant.