Canadian passport · China
Do Canadians need a visa for China?
In brief
No. Canadian passport holders can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days.
China visa-free stay for Canadians: up to 30 days. Official rule. Source: National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China, checked .
China visa fee for Canadians: none for visa-free entry.
Conditions: ordinary passports; unilateral policy until 31 Dec 2026.
Exception: Hainan Province only: enter through a Hainan port and stay within Hainan; ordinary passports; stay: 30 days.
Nationals of the above countries holding ordinary passports may enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visits to relatives and friends, exchange visits, or transit, for stays of up to 30 days.
National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China
Checked 4 Nov 2026Source: National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of ChinaVisas only at consular.mfa.gov.cnReport a change
Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.
ContentsIn brief
At a glance
| Access | Visa-free · 30 daysordinary passports; unilateral policy until 31 Dec 2026Exception: Hainan Province only: enter through a Hainan port and stay within Hainan; ordinary passports; stay: 30 days |
|---|---|
| Stay | Up to 30 days |
| Validity and entries | Not stated by the official source |
| Official fee | None for visa-free entryIf you need a visa, Canadian passport holders applying in Canada pay C$75 for any number of entries, under reduced fees that run until 31 December 2026; the visa centre's express and service fees are extra.6 |
| Official processing | Nothing to apply for |
| Where to apply | Nothing to apply for to visit visa-freeOfficial site: consular.mfa.gov.cn |
| Before arrival | Foreign visitors can fill in the arrival card online before travelling (NIA website, the NIA 12367 app, WeChat or Alipay), or on arrival by QR code, on-site devices or a paper card.5 |
Do Canadians need a visa for China?
The National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China lists Canada among the countries whose nationals can visit without a visa. Stay: 30 days. Conditions: ordinary passports; unilateral policy until 31 Dec 2026.
“Nationals of the above countries holding ordinary passports may enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visits to relatives and friends, exchange visits, or transit, for stays of up to 30 days.”
Conditions and exceptions
With conditions · 30 days Hainan Province only: enter through a Hainan port and stay within Hainan; ordinary passports; stay: 30 days.
Foreign nationals holding ordinary passports from 61 countries may enter and stay within the administrative region of Hainan Province for a maximum of 30 days without a visa
National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China · checked
The 30 visa-free days are counted from 00:00 on the day after you enter China.
Americas (6 countries): Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru, Uruguay Note: Nationals of the above countries holding ordinary passports may enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visits to relatives and friends, exchange visits, or transit, for stays of up to 30 days. The duration of stay is calculated from 00:00 on the day following the date of entry.
National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China · checkedYou can enter visa-free multiple times, with no limit on the number of entries or total days, as long as each visit matches the allowed purposes.
Foreign nationals eligible for the visa waiver can enter China without a visa multiple times. Currently, there is no restriction on the number of entries or total days of stay, but those who enjoy visa-free travel to China shall not engage in activities inconsistent with their purpose of entry.
Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Canada · checkedFor more than 30 days, get the matching visa before you travel; after a visa-free entry, a longer stay needs a stay permit from the public security exit-entry administration, for good reasons only.
Foreign nationals planning to stay in China for over 30 days shall apply for visas corresponding to their purposes of stay in advance at Chinese embassies or consulates. If they have to stay longer than 30 days for appropriate and sufficient reasons after entering China without a visa, they shall apply for stay permits to the exit and entry administrations of public security authorities
Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Canada · checkedYou need an ordinary passport valid for at least the length of your stay; travel documents and temporary or emergency passports do not qualify for visa-free entry.
For foreign nationals, an ordinary passport valid for at least the duration of intended stay in China is needed. Holders of travel documents or temporary or emergency documents other than ordinary passports are not allowed to enter into China without a visa.
Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Canada · checkedCanadians transiting to a third country can also use the 240-hour visa-free transit: up to 10 days in designated areas, via 65 designated ports, with an ordinary passport and a confirmed onward ticket.
Nationals of these countries, who need to transit through China to third countries or regions, may enter visa-free through any of the designated 65 open exit-entry ports in 24 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government and stay in the permitted areas for no more than 10 days, provided that they hold ordinary passports and onward tickets with confirmed seats and departure dates. ... North America (2 countries): Canada, United States
National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China · checked
How to apply from Canada
To visit visa-free for up to 30 days there is nothing to apply for: check the documents and entry checks below. For a longer stay or another purpose:
In Canada, ordinary passport holders apply through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center, online at visaforchina.cn since 30 September 2025.
Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Canada · checked
Fee
Visa-free entry costs nothing.
If you need a visa, Canadian passport holders applying in Canada pay C$75 for any number of entries, under reduced fees that run until 31 December 2026; the visa centre's express and service fees are extra.
Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Canada · checked
These are government fees as the official sources state them. Agencies add their own service fees; those are not visa fees, and we don't list them.
Processing time
Nothing to apply for to visit visa-free for up to 30 days. For visas, the official sources we read state no processing time.
Documents and entry checks
What changed
- In Canada, ordinary passport holders apply through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center, online at visaforchina.cn since 30 September 2025. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Canada · checked
- Since 17 February 2026, Canadian ordinary passport holders can enter China without a visa for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family or friends visits and transit; the policy runs until 31 December 2026. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Canada · checked
- Checked against the official sources on this page: the rule above still holds.
FAQ
Is China visa-free for Canadians now?
Yes: visa-free for up to 30 days. Conditions: ordinary passports; unilateral policy until 31 Dec 2026. Checked on 4 Nov 2026 against the National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China.
How much does a China visa cost for Canadians?
Visa-free entry costs nothing. If you need a visa, Canadian passport holders applying in Canada pay C$75 for any number of entries, under reduced fees that run until 31 December 2026; the visa centre's express and service fees are extra.
Can I get a China visa in 7 days?
There is nothing to apply for to visit visa-free for up to 30 days. The official sources we read state no processing time.
Other trips on a Canadian passport
Sources
Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.
- National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China: entry rule and entry conditions
- National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China: entry rule
- Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Canada: changes
- Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Canada: entry conditions
- Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Canada: documents
- Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Canada: fees
- Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Canada: how to apply
- National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China: entry conditions