A Canadian Transit Visa is a required travel document for Chinese citizens transiting through Canada while en route to destinations such as the United States or South America. This visa is issued by Canadian embassies and consulates in China, allows for a stay of up to 48 hours within Canada, and is valid for 3 months from the date of issuance.
Not everyone is required to obtain a Canadian Transit Visa. The conditions for exemption from the transit visa requirement are as follows:
(1) Hold a valid Chinese passport;
(2) Hold a valid U.S. visa;
(3) Travel on flights operated by Air Canada, Jazz Aviation LP, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Philippine Airlines, or Air China;
(4) Transit through Vancouver International Airport or Lester B. Pearson International Airport (Toronto) (Terminal 1 only);
(5) Depart from Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Manila, or Taipei in Asia on a direct flight to Canada.
In other words, if you do not leave the airport and depart Canada on the same day, you do not need a Canadian Transit Visa. Those who do not meet these conditions should continue reading...
For those who do not meet the conditions, how do you apply for a Canadian Transit Visa? What materials are required?
Step 1: Prepare the materials for the Canadian Transit Visa.
The materials required for a Canadian Transit Visa are as follows:
1. Application for Temporary Resident Visa (IMM 5257). You must click 'Validate' at the end to generate a barcode; this must be regenerated every time a change is made;
2. Family Information Form (IMM 5645);
3. Education and Employment Details Form (must be filled out by hand);
4. Two 35mm x 45mm photos with a white background taken within the last six months;
5. Passport;
6. Photocopy of national ID card (both sides);
7. Two adhesive labels with the applicant's current address written in Chinese (the Visa Application Centre will provide these labels; you can write them there);
8. Photocopy of flight tickets and/or travel itinerary (you can call the airline directly to request this; I received a PDF confirmation with seat numbers from a very helpful representative);
9. A valid visa for the final destination country (U.S. visa);
10. An invitation letter from the host in the destination country, or a travel plan explaining the purpose of the trip (students may use their school admission letter and a copy of their I-20 form);
11. Proof of past travel (such as used passports, etc.);
12. If employed, a leave approval letter signed by the employer on company letterhead, including the following information:
a. Applicant's name, position, current salary, and date of hire;
b. The employer's full name and address in Chinese, as well as telephone and fax numbers.