CHINA
The People's Republic of China
Do I Need a Visa to Visit China?
Canadian citizens using a Canadian passport require a visa to visit China.
CLICK HERE for FILLABLE VISA APPLICATION for CHINA
Nationals of Brunei, Japan, and Singapore do not need a visa to enter China for up to 15 days.
All other nationals need a visa.
VISA-FREE TRANSIT
As of January 2013 Canadian citizens can acquire a 72-hour visa free transit in Beijing and Shanghai airports only. The visa-free travel is only offered to passengers who are transiting China on their way to another/third country (not Canada), and will be staying in Beijing or Shanghai only. You must fly in and out of the same city. You cannot go to any other city.
This applies to Canadians and the following nationalities: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland; Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine; United States, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile; Australia, and New Zealand; Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.
WARNING: The Chinese Embassy in Ottawa does not yet recognize this new rule. Officially they state "No visa is required for citizens of (Canada) who transit through China via Shanghai within 48 hours". Also: "Foreigners who have confirmed onward tickets and seats on international flights and directly transit through China and stay for no more than 24 hours within the airport boundaries shall not need to apply for a transit visa".
TIBET: The Chinese Embassy in Canada does not issue a visa for tourist travel to Tibet. All applicants travelling to Tibet must contact the TAR Tourism Bureau (tel: +86-891-6834313, fax: +86-891-6834632) beforehand and provide the entry permit it issues upon application for visa, or alternatively, contact China Travel (Canada) Service (tel: 416-979-8993, fax: 416-979-8220) for this service prior to requesting a visa.
NOTICE for STUDENTS and TEACHERS and CLERGY: Teachers and students and clergy visiting China for tourism MUST provide a signed letter stating "I, (your full legal name), am a (teacher/student/priest). I am visiting China as a tourist and while in China I will obey all the Chinese laws (and will not engage in religious activity)."
For more information about travel conditions in Asia and China, please visit the Foreign Affairs Web site.