Information about Applying for Chinese Visa (Mainland) in Canada 2016
2016-03-27
We had a chance to apply for Chinese Visa in Canada recently. We realized the Chinese visa application process and policy has changed a lot. Here we take related notes to share something new with more friends.
Note: We were applying for Chinese mainland visa, not for Hong Kong and Macao SAR. Also, please know all the information here are based on our real case application, we have provided multiple Chinese visa service official links in this article, please read more details information from official website.
Chinese Visa Application Service Center
Since 2012, Chinese Visa Application Service Center has been established and has started service. From June 22, 2012, holders of diplomatic, service (official) passport, applicants applying for Hong Kong/Macao visa/entry permit still submit their applications directly to the Chinese Embassy. Visa applications other than those mentioned above should be submitted to the Chinese Visa Application Service Center. Like, our common travel visa to China Mainland.
There are four Chinese Visa Application Service Centers in Canada currently: Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, Montreal. The official CVASC website is http://www.visaforchina.org/.
The following is the address of Toronto visa service center: Suite 1501, 393 University Avenue, Toronto. The 393 University Ave building is very close the TTC subway St. Patrick Station, maybe just 1 or 2 minutes by walk.
## Make an Appointment for Submitting Applications If You do Not Choose Submitting by Mail.
Due to the information from official visa service center website, everybody has to make an appointment online previously if he/she does not select mail service. The appointment policy has been available since Oct 15, 2015.
We did make an appointment, also we realized the appointment date was set 2 weeks later. Might because the reason of heavy amount Chinese visa applications, all appointment would be set some delayed. Our appointment date was specified 2 weeks later. and due to the official statement, There is no a same day service. 2 weeks waiting period are actually very common for recent Chinese visa application. Since our case was very urgent, so we tried to go to the visa service center in person and showed them our urgent reason, they allowed us select **Express Service** without waiting for 2 weeks, they also said if we arrived before 11:30 am, we could select **Urgent Service** (Rush Application) so that we could pick up visa at the second day. _**Note:** **Urgent service (Rush Application) is not Express service, Urgent is faster than Express. Check below content for details information.**_
## Fill in Application Forms using Computer Please
You can NOT fill the Chinese visa application form manually. Sorry, no matter you can write how beautiful handwriting, you can only fill the application form using computer. you can download the forms first and fill using any pdf tool or .doc format software. You can also fill online.
The visa service center has already provided several computer for you for free, which is good service. Check official information here.
The visa application form shall be completed by using computer. There are two ways to do so, first, follow the Quick Access of instruction, complete online and print it. Second, download the form on this website, then complete and print it. Serveral self-help computers are provided in the Visa Center for you to complete and print your visa application form. Each print(1 page ) costs you 40 cents. The machine accepts old version paper money of maximum 20 dollars. You are kindly advised to prepare coins for a quick service.## Where are Application Forms and Related Document ? Check here to download. ## More Controlled and Managed Visa Service If you applied Chinese visa before they set visa service center, you might know there was some mess in the old visa service office. People had to stand and wait in a line. Now the service is much better. Everybody can be get service as first come first service, you get a number and wait for you calling, just like you applied your driver license and health card at Canadian government office. The following is the inside view of Chinese Visa Service Center of Toronto. You can see current numbers currently on service from multiple TV screens, also the numbers will be called through audio devices.
## Is there a Same Day Service ?
Actually we have mentioned part of content above, the official visa service center website mentioned NO same day service, but you might have a chance to get a same day service as long as your have reasonable urgent service request and the visa officer accept your application, also, you must arrive at Visa Service Center before 11:30 am. We read a same day service case online, but it was happened in 2015. You can try, maybe the same day service is still available in 2016, but we did not have a chance to try ourselves.
So nobody can guarantee you can get the same day service. their fastest service is urgent service which you can choose, But due to the handling time information from official website, urgent service still need picking up visa at the second day. Again, we mentioned above you can try to ask them to get a same day service.
## What are Service Options ?
There are 4 service options, please check the table below.
**Note**: all days are working day; The fee includes the Chinese Embassy part and Visa Service Center part and tax included;
Also, you can not get express or urgent service using postal way.
| **Options** | **Period** | **Fee** |
| Regular Service | 4 days | 145.2 |
| Express Service | 3 days | 203.93 |
| Urgent Service | 2 days but must submit before 11:30am | 247.18 |
| Postal Service | 10 days | 163.28 |