China visa for Canadian citizens
Visa required
🇨🇦 Canadian passport → 🇨🇳 China: yes — a visa arranged in advance.
How it works
You'll need a visa arranged in advance through the embassy or consulate (or an authorised visa centre): application form, passport photos, fee, and often proof of funds, accommodation and onward travel. Start early — processing can take weeks.
Before the airport: run the "Will I board?" checklist for this route →
Beyond China: the Canada passport
The 🇨🇦 Canada passport ranks #24 of 199 worldwide, entering 161 destinations without a visa arranged in advance (see the world ranking).
Also visa-free on the Canada passport: 🇯🇵 Japan (90 days), 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates (90 days), 🇹🇭 Thailand (60 days) — all 161 open destinations.
Going the other way? Chinese citizens visiting Canada need a visa arranged in advance.
Never get caught out
Visa rules change with little notice. Get one email when China changes its entry rules for Canadian passports.
Capital Beijing · Currency Chinese yuan (¥) · Dialling +86
Before you travel
Sorting your China trip on the Canada passport:
See the whole picture
Every destination for the Canada passport, and everyone who can enter China.
Canadian passport: all destinations Who can enter China Plan the trip