Canada Visa Requirements for Chinese Citizens

The Importance of Certified Translations in the Visa Application Process

Translation services are a very important asset to have in your visa application process. Canada will require your visa application documents to be submitted in either French or English and translating documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, bank statements, and other official documents ensures that they meet the legal standards of the application.

Accurate certified translations ensure that all the information provided during your application is understood correctly by Canadian immigration officials. Errors or misunderstandings can lead to unwanted delays or even rejection of your visa application. 

Certified translation services can also provide you with access to important information about the process of the Canadian visa application in China, requirements, and regulations in Mandarin to help you go through the process with ease.
 

Types of Canadian Visas for Chinese Citizens

There are three main categories of Canadian Visas. These are:

• The Temporary Canadian Visas
• The Permanent Canadian Visas
• The Express Entry Visas
   

The Temporary Canadian Visas

Temporary Canadian visas are visas that allow Chinese citizens to enter Canada for a temporary period, for reasons like tourism, visiting family or friends, studying, or working. Here are some common types of temporary Canadian visas:

1. The Temporary Resident Visa: This visa, also known as the visitor visa, allows you to enter Canada as a temporary resident either as a visitor, a student, or a worker.
    
2. The Super Visa: If you are a Canadian citizen or have obtained permanent residency in Canada, the super visa allows your parents or grandparents to visit you for an extended stay.
    
3. The Diplomatic and Official Visa: The Diplomatic and Official visa permits officials and diplomats from China to enter Canada for official duties.
    
4. The Courtesy Visa: If you do not qualify for a Diplomatic and Official Visa but hold an important rank or position in China, or you were invited by the Canadian government for official purposes, such as attending meetings, conferences, or conducting diplomatic missions, you will be given a courtesy visa. 
    
5. The Business Visa: The Business Visa is given to you if you are entering Canada to conduct business.
    
6. The Birthing Visa: This visa will be issued to you if you are pregnant and want to give birth in Canada. If you give birth in Canada, your baby can become a Canadian citizen.
    
7. Organ Donors Visa: If you are travelling to Canada to donate an organ to a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident, you will be issued an organ donor visa.
    
8. The Facilitation Visa: If you are a Canadian citizen with another nationality such as a Chinese nationality, and you do not have a Canadian passport but have your Chinese passport, you will get a facilitation visa stamped on your Chinese passport if it is proven that you cannot get a Canadian passport due to extreme situations.
    
9. The Student Visa: This visa will be issued to you if you have an admission to study in a Canadian institution for more than six months. If you intend to study for less than 6 months, you will be given a temporary residence visa. 
    
10. The Temporary Work Visa: The Canadian temporary work visa is given to you if you have an employment contract from a Canadian employer to work for more than six months in Canada. 
     

Permanent Canadian Visas

Permanent Canadian visas refer to immigration programs that allow Chinese citizens to obtain permanent residency in Canada. These programs are designed for individuals who wish to live and work in Canada on a long-term basis. 

1. The Immigrant Investor Visa Program: If you intend to make investments in the Canadian economy and have a net worth of at least 800,000 CAD, you will be issued an immigrant investor visa. You must invest at least 400,000 CAD and the Canadian government will return this investment to you in 5 years without any interest.
    
2. The Startup Visa: You will receive a startup visa if you intend to be involved in contributing to the Canadian economy. You must have a net worth of at least 300,000 CAD and you must commit to owning and managing at least one-third of a Canadian business. You must also create and maintain employment within your first 3 years of being in the country.
    
3. The Self-Employed Persons Visa: If you have skills in business, athletics, culture, or farming and can start your businesses, the Canadian authorities will be willing to issue you a self-employed visa. To get it, you will have to demonstrate your skills and how you will finance the business.
    
4. Quebec-Selected Skilled Worker Program (QSWP): The province of Quebec has a list of occupations that are in demand each time. If you work in one of these occupations and you are fluent in French, then you can apply for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program which will allow you to move and work permanently there.
    
5. The Family-Sponsorship Program: This visa allows you to immigrate permanently to Canada if you are the spouse or dependent child of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
    
6. The Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP): This visa allows you to move to Canada, if you are qualified, to take care of the elderly, the disabled, or children and live in their private homes.
    

Express Entry Visas

The Canada Express Entry Visa Program is an immigration program designed by the Government of Canada that allows people from around the world to apply for immigration to Canada based on their skills. These visas include:

1. The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) visa: This is given to you if you are a qualified tradesperson in occupations such as carpentry, aircraft mechanics, crane operation, heavy-duty equipment mechanics, electrical engineering, plumbing, and a host of other professions and artistries. 
    
2. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): The visa under this program is issued to you if have a profession that is highly sought after in Canada at a certain time. You can do some research on what kind of occupations Canada needs at the point you are planning to apply and get the necessary information.
    
3. Provincial Nomination Programs (PNP): If you are a semi or low-skilled worker who can contribute to the Canadian economy through your work, you will be issued this visa. You will be placed in a Canadian province where the demand for your work is high. Such jobs could include Engineering, Data Science, Nursing, Medicine, etc. 
    
4. Canadian Experience Class: If you have a temporary student visa or a temporary workers visa and want to switch to a permanent resident status, this visa is for you. You must have a Canadian education or work experience and must have settled into Canadian society to get this visa.
    

Canadian Visa Eligibility Criteria For Chinese Citizens

If you intend to travel from China to Canada, you need to meet certain criteria before you can apply for a visa, such as:

1. You must be at least 18 years old to apply as the primary visa applicant.
    
2. You must submit a letter of authorisation and a birth certificate if you are applying as a minor.
    
3. You must assure the visa officer that you will leave Canada after your appointed stay (for temporary visas).
    
4. You must be able to prove that you have the financial means to support yourself and any family member(s) who is your dependent during your stay in Canada (for temporary visas). 
    
5. You must agree not to work or study in Canada without proper authorization (for temporary visas).
    
6. You must prove to a visa officer that you do not pose a security risk to Canada.
    
7. You must have no criminal records. 
    
8. You must prove that you are in good health. 
    
9. You must provide all the documents requested by the visa officer.
    
10. You must certify and translate all the requested documents from Mandarin to English or French translations.
     

Important Temporary Visa Requirements for Canada

Chinese citizens going to Canada must provide the following documentation to get a temporary visa:

• A valid international passport or travel document (valid for at least 6 months).
   
• A completed visa application form.
   
• Two passport-size photos with your full name and birth date printed on the back.
   
• Your financial records as proof of funds to support your stay in Canada and to return to China.
   
• Your biometrics profile (photo and fingerprints).
   
• Your marriage certificate (if applicable).
   
• Your travel itinerary.
   
• A letter of authorisation or custody documents (for minors travelling alone).
   
• A copy of your current immigration status (if China is stated as your nationality on your passport but you live in another country). 
   

Important Express Entry Visa Requirements for Canada

Chinese citizens going to Canada must provide the following documentation in addition to the requirements for a temporary visa to get an express entry visa:

• French/English language proficiency test results.
   
• Certificates of Canadian education or an educational credential assessment report for immigration purposes if you’re applying through the Federal Skilled Workers Program, or you want to get points for the education you got outside of Canada.
   
• Provincial nomination (if you have one).
   
• A written job offer from a Canadian employer.
   
• Proof of work experience.
   
• A Canadian-issued certificate of qualification in a trade occupation. 
   

Important Permanent Visa Requirements for Canada

Chinese citizens going to Canada must provide the following documentation in addition to the requirements for a temporary visa to get a permanent visa:

• Police certificates.
• Proof of funds.
• Birth certificates (if you have dependent children).
• Adoption certificate (if you have an adopted dependent child).
• The use of a Representative form, if you are using a representative.
• The Common-Law Union form, if you’ve declared your marital status as “common-law”.
• Your marriage, divorce certificate, death certificate (if you are widowed), as the case may be.

For permanent visas, you are no longer required to get an upfront medical exam before you submit your application for permanent residence through Express Entry Programs. 
 

Important Study Visa Requirements for Canada

Chinese citizens going to Canada must provide the following documentation in addition to the requirements for a temporary visa to get a study visa:

• Proof of acceptance into a Canadian Institution.
   
• An attestation letter from the province or territory where you plan to study.
   
• Proof of identity.
   
• Proof of funds to cover tuition and well-being while in Canada (20,635 CAD per year).
   
• Proof of funding source.
   
• A Statement of Purpose, stating why you wish to study in Canada and that you understand your responsibilities as a student.
   
• An Immigration Medical Exam (IME).
   
• English or French proficiency exam results.
   
• A custodian declaration (for minors).
   

Other Documents

These documents are not mandatory to have as they only apply to certain visas, and you only need to submit them if they were included in your personalized document checklist. 

• Proof of relationship to a relative in Canada.
• Digital photos to confirm your identity.
• Any other names to confirm your aliases.
• Authority to release personal information to a designated individual form.

Remember that you must translate any document written in Mandarin that you will need for your application into either English or French. To do this, you will need the services of a trusted certified translation service in China. Having accurate translations is extremely important to convey the correct information to the Canadian immigration authorities and to avoid any hurdles on your visa application path. Translayte makes the job easy by providing an online translation service to save you time and stress. Just visit Translayte, request a quote for a certified translation and you will be on your way to having accurate Mandarin-to-English or Mandarin-to-French translations in no time.
 

China Transit Program

If you are from China and intend to fly through Canada on your way to or from the United States, you may be able to go through Canada without a Canadian visa. This was made possible through the China Transit Program. Here is what you need to be eligible for this transit program:

• You must have these documents (not issued by Hong Kong or Macao Special Administrative Regions):

- a valid U.S. visa.

- a valid passport from the People’s Republic of China.

- a valid airline ticket for a flight departing from Canada to the United States within 24 hours of your arrival.
 

• You must travel with an airline that participates in the China Transit Program such as:

- Air Canada

- Air Canada Rouge

- Air China

- Air Georgian Limited

- Cathay Pacific Airways

- China Southern Airlines

- Jazz Aviation LP

- Philippine Airlines

- Sky Regional Airlines Inc.

- WestJet
 

• Your transit must be through one of the following approved airports in Canada:

- Vancouver International Airport

- Toronto Pearson International Airport (Terminal One Only. If you’re flying through Terminal 3, or if you need to change terminals between flights, you’re not eligible for the China Transit Program).

- Montréal International Airport (Air Canada flights only)

- Calgary International Airport

- Winnipeg International Airport
 

• Your flight must leave from a city in Asia.
  
   
• You must remain in the international transit area of the Canadian airport during your stopover and you can only leave to board your flight.
  
   
• You must leave Canada within 24 hours and must not stay overnight or have any sort of layover in Canada. If your flight is cancelled or delayed and your layover is more than 24 hours, you’ll no longer qualify for the program. You’ll have to go to the Canada Border Services Agency for examination. 
   

The Cost and Processing Time of a Canadian Visa

Canadian visas take about 15 to 30 days to process and Canadian visa fees vary depending on what visa you wish to apply for. The fees range from 7 CAD to 1400 CAD. Here are some of the common visas and their fees, all in Canadian Dollars: 

Canadian Visitors Visas

• Visitor visa – per person (Single or multiple entry) - $100.00
• Visitor visa – per family of 5 or above (Single or multiple entries)- $500.00
• Visitor Extention - per person - $100.00
• Restore your status as a visitor - $229.00
   

Canadian Work Visas

• Work permit (including extensions) – per person - $155.00
• Work permit (including extensions) – per group (3 or more performing artists applying at the same time and place) - $465.00
• International Experience Canada - $172.00
• Open work permit holder - $100.00
• Restore your status as a worker - $229
• New work permit - $155
   

Canadian Student Visas

• Study permit (including extensions) - per person - $150.00
• Restore your status as a student - $229
   

Canadian Visa Biometrics Fees

• Biometrics – per person - $85.00
• Biometrics - per family (2 or more people applying at the same time and place) - $170.00
• Biometrics - per group (3 or more performing artists applying at the same time and place) - $255.00

Canadian visa application fees are non-refundable.
 

How to Apply for a Canadian Visa From China

• Choose the Correct Visa Program for You: Understand the various immigration programs available and determine which program aligns with your goals, whether it's working temporarily in Canada or obtaining permanent residency.
   
• Check if You Are Eligible to Apply: Ensure you meet the specific criteria outlined by your chosen immigration program or visa.
   
• Take the Necessary Assessments: Undergo medical examinations as required by the visa program. Depending on the program, you may need to take language proficiency tests like the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign qualifications.
   
• Gather Necessary Documents: Collect all required documents we listed earlier for your chosen program, including general documents like a passport and specific documents such as proof of acceptance for a Canadian student visa.
   
• Create an IRCC Secure Account: Create an account on the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship (IRCC) platform and you will get access to all the forms and information you will need concerning your application. You will need a GCKey username and password to sign up.
   
• Fill out the Visa Application Form: You can fill out and submit the Canadian visa application form online on the IRCC system. You can also download the filled-out form and submit it in person to a Visa Office or Canadian embassy and consulate in China at any of the following locations:
   

If you cannot provide any of the required supporting documents, you will need to fill out a visa waiver form alongside your application form. 
 

• Pay the Required Fees: Depending on your situation, you may be allowed to pay your visa fees online, otherwise, you will be asked to pay them at the embassy or consulate. Make sure to pay all the required fees and keep the receipts handy.
   
• Attend the Interview: You will be given a date for your visa interview after you put in an application and pay the required fees. Arrive on time for your interview, answer all the questions correctly and honestly and be willing to give the biometric information that will be requested, such as your fingerprints and your picture.
   
• Wait for Your Visa: After the interview, wait patiently for a response concerning your visa status. If the Canadian government is satisfied with your application, you will be awarded a visa within 15-30 days, but if not, you will receive a refusal letter. You can pick up your passport in person from the visa embassy or you can have it delivered to you by courier. 
   

How to Select A Certified Translation Service in China

To select a certified translation service, you need to ask the following questions:

1. Are They Reliable?: Look for translation services with a track record of reliability. Reading customer reviews and testimonials can give you an idea of how reliable they are and what the quality of their service is like. 

2. Are They USCIS Compliant?: Not all translation services are familiar with USCIS requirements. It's essential to choose a service provider that explicitly mentions compliance with USCIS standards. Verify that they understand the specific formatting, certification, and notarisation requirements set by USCIS for translated documents.

3. Do They Have Expert Translators?: A good translation service should employ expert translators who are not only fluent in Mandarin, French and English but also have expertise in legal and immigration terminology. Check if the certified translation service has a rigorous selection process for translators and ensures that translations undergo thorough quality assurance checks before delivery.

4. What Are Their Certifications and Accreditations?: Look for translation services that hold certifications or accreditations from reputable organizations in the translation industry. Certifications such as ISO 17100 demonstrate adherence to international standards for translation services, while accreditations from professional associations like the American Translators Association (ATA) can show that they are committed to quality and professionalism.

5. Do They Have Sample Translations?: Some translation services offer sample translations or trial periods to allow you to assess the quality of their work before committing. Take advantage of these opportunities to evaluate the translations provided by the certified translation service.

6. What is Their Customer Support and Communication Like?: Choose a translation service that offers excellent customer support and clear communication throughout the translation process. Responsive customer support can address any questions or concerns you may have promptly, ensuring a smooth and satisfactory experience.
 

FAQs
 

What is The Difference Between an SW-1 and an S-1 Canada Visa?

The SW-1 visa is given to students whose study permits include mandatory co-op, With the SW-1 visa, you can work in Canada as a student without the need for an additional co-op work permit. The S-1 visa, on the other hand, is for students with study permits that include optional internships. However, this does not grant you immediate permission to work in Canada as a student. You will still need to apply for a co-op work permit for free. 
 

What is The Processing Fee for Canada Student Visa?

The processing fee for a Canadian study permit or visa is $150. If you wish to restore your status as a student, the cost is $229.
 

Can I Work While Studying in Canada?

Yes, as an international student, you can work off-campus up to 20 hours per week. 
 

Who Issues Work Permits in Canada?

The Federal Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is responsible for issuing work permits in Canada.  
 

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