Embassy of China in Canada

The Embassy of China in Ottawa provides consular assistance to Chinese citizens in Canada. The Embassy also serves foreigners who want to visit, work, do business, or reside in China.

This guide contains all you need to know about document legalization at the Chinese Embassy, including processing times, fees, and how to submit your documents.

Chinese Embassy Canada

Table of Contents

Chinese Embassy in Ottawa

The Chinese Embassy Ottawa legalizes documents for Chinese citizens but outsources this service to The Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) for Canadian citizens and other third-country citizens.

The CVASC receives applications, collects fees, releases documents, and answers questions on legalization. Consular officials at the Embassy then assess the application and issue the authentication certificate.

The Embassy of China also provides other consular services, including visa and passport applications, and consular assistance and protection to Chinese citizens in Canada.

Contact details

Embassy of China in Ottawa

Consular Issues (Visas, passports, legalization, etc.): [email protected]

Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Ottawa

There are other visa centers spread across Canada. The Legalization section contains more detailed information about this.

Opening Hours

Embassy of Canada Ontario Opening Hours:

Visas (Application Submission)

Visas (Application Submission)

By phone:

Other consular matters:

Chinese Visa Application Service Center Ontario Opening Hours

Payment methods

At the Embassy:

The Embassy only accepts payments made by Money Order, Company’s Check, or Debit Card. Cash, credit cards, or personal checks are not accepted.

If the authentication certificate has been issued by the Embassy, the money order or company’s check should be payable to the “Chinese Embassy”. If it was issued by the Consulate General, the check or money order must be payable to the “Chinese Consulate General’

At the Visa Center:

The Visa Center accepts cash and debit cards when paying in person.

If you’re using a mailing service, you should purchase a Money Order in advance equalling the total confirmed fee. Payment must be made to China Bridge Group (Canada) Ltd. Add your name in the remarks.

You can also pay through E-transfer to [email protected], including your name and contact details.

In both cases, do not forget to add the mailing fee. All fees are outlined in the Legalization section below.

Legalization

What is Chinese legalization?

The Embassy of China in Ottawa, Chinese Consular Offices across Canada, and the CVASC authenticate Chinese documents and legalize foreign public documents. Only legalized documents are valid for use in China.

This process is sometimes called attestation, authentication, or apostille. Since Canada is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, it cannot issue apostilles. While the terms are often used interchangeably, the correct term for the Canadian-Chinese process is authentication and legalization.

Authentication and legalization confirm the authenticity of the seal and signature on your Canadian and Chinese documents. This ensures that both countries recognize the document.

Before your Canadian document can be accepted for use in China, you must first submit it for authentication at Global Affairs Canada and then for legalization at the Chinese Embassy, one of its Consulates, or one of the visa centers spread across Canada.

The Embassy, Consulates, and Visa Centers are each responsible for a specific geographical area:

Areas of Jurisdiction of the Embassy of China, Consulate-Generals and Visa Centers:

Embassy/Consulate Jurisdiction Address
Embassy of China in Ottawa
Ottawa Region, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Nunavut

515 St. Patrick Street
Ottawa ON K1N 5H3
Canada

Chinese Visa Application Center Ontario

220 Laurier Avenue West, Suite 1450
Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5Z9
Canada

Consulate General of China in Toronto (Chinese Embassy Toronto)
Ontario and Manitoba

240 St. George Street,
Toronto, ONtario, M5R 2P4
Canada

Chinese Visa Application Center Toronto (currently closed due to the pandemic)
Suite 1501, 393 University Avenue, Toronto, M5G 1E6, Canada [email protected]
Consulate General of China in Vancouver (Chinese Embassy Vancouver)
British Columbia and Yukon Territory
380 Granville Street Vancouver, BC, V6H 3K3 Canada
Chinese Visa Application Center Vancouver (currently closed due to the pandemic)
250-999 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1K5 Canada [email protected]
Consulate General of China in Calgary (Chinese Embassy Calgary)
Alberta, Saskatchewan and Northwest Territories
1011 6th Ave. S.W. Calgary, Alberta, T2P 0W1 Canada [email protected]
Chinese Visa Application Center Calgary (currently closed due to the pandemic)

Suite 200 Century Park Place, 855-8th Ave, SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 3P1
[email protected]

Consulate General of China in Montreal (Chinese Embassy Montreal)
Quebec and New Brunswick
2100 Ste-Catherine Street West, 8th Floor Montreal, Quebec, H3H 2T3, Canada [email protected]
Chinese Visa Application Center Montreal
7th Floor, No. 2000, Mansfield Street, Suite 700, H3A 2Z6, Quebec, Canada
It’s important to check each consulate’s jurisdiction before submitting your documents.

The Legalization process at the Chinese Embassy

Before you can submit your document, it must be:

  1. Notarized by a local notary public, lawyer, or Commissioner of Oaths of Canada
  2. Authenticated by Global Affairs Canada or the authentication office of the corresponding province

 

Once your document meets these requirements, it can be prepared for submission to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate.

The Embassy legalizes documents authenticated by Global Affairs Canada. The consulates legalize documents authenticated by a local authentication office.

Together with the document you need to be legalized, you should submit the following:

  • One fully completed and signed Application Form for Notarization and Authentication
  • The original and a photocopy of the document authenticated by Global Affairs Canada
  • A photocopy of the photo and information page of the applicant’s passport
  • A photocopy of the permanent residence card, study permit, or work permit (if applicable), if the applicant is not a Canadian citizen
  • If someone else submits your documents on your behalf, the original and a photocopy of both the entrusted person’s and the applicant’s passport (together with the permanent residence card, study permit, or work permit, if applicable) should be provided
  • If you’re submitting a company document: a photocopy of the passport (together with the permanent residence card, study permit, or work permit, if applicable), of the company’s legal representative plus documentation that proves this status
  • Documents with more than one page should be properly sealed
  • The Embassy may request that you submit additional documents, as it deems necessary.

 

Once you’ve prepared all your documentation, you may submit the application in person or entrust someone to do so on your behalf. In some cases, the Embassy asks for an interview before it legalizes documents.

When the embassy issues the authentication certificate, you can pick it up yourself or entrust someone to do so on your behalf. You will be asked to present the pick-up form and pay the fee. If you do not pick up your documents within six months, the Embassy and Consulate will not keep your documents.

The process at the various Chinese Visa Application Service Centers varies slightly. You can find more information as it pertains to your geographical location in Canada, here.

Embassy of China Legalization FAQ

Regular Service:
Civil documents: $30 per document (for foreign citizens)
Commercial documents: $60 per document (for foreign citizens)

Express Service:
An additional fee of $35 per document applies

Next Day Rush Service:
An additional fee of $50 per document applies

Chinese Visa Application Service Centers have different schedules of fees, depending on their location. You can check which applies to you through their website.

The Embassy offers three levels of service:

  • Regular: 3 working days following application
  • Express: 2 working days following application
  • Rush service: 1 working day, provided document is submitted before 11.30am the previous day.

 

Chinese Visa Application Service Centers have different turnaround times, depending on their location. You can check which applies to you through their website. Ultimately though, the processing time and final assessment of your authentication application is decided by the Embassy and not the Visa Centers.

These timelines exclude the authentication part of the process which is done by Global Affairs Canada. If you’re sending your documents by mail, allow one to two months to get your documents back.

This may seem like too long, and it can be, especially if you don’t submit the correct documentation. At DAC, we streamline the authentication process, saving you time and money. Get in touch with us on 1-855-700-5840 for a free document evaluation and quote.

The Embassy and Visa Centers can legalize civil affairs documents and commercial affairs documents.

The Embassy will only legalize documents that are truthful, legal and their contents do not violate Chinese law or threaten China’s interests.

Generally, documents for legalization are issued in one of Canada’s official languages. However, if the document to be legalized is drawn up in another language, the consular official in charge may request a sworn translation at his or her discretion.

You should also check the translation requirements of the Chinese authority or office where you will be using your documents.

Yes, diplomas obtained in Canada should be first notarized and authenticated by Canadian authorities and then submitted to the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa, Consulates, or Visa Centers across Canada for legalization.

Otherwise, Chinese citizens with foreign diplomas can have them certified by the Overseas Student Service at the Chinese Ministry of Education.

Embassy of China in Canada

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Other Consular Services offered by the Embassy of China in Canada

Apart from legalization services, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Canada provides consular services for Chinese residing in Canada and Canadians and other foreigners who are traveling or moving to China.

Below is a list of services offered by the Embassy:

  • Consular Assistance and Protection to Chinese citizens in Canada
  • Processing of visa applications
  • Processing of passport applications
  • Notarization

 

You can find detailed information about each of these services on the Embassy of China’s official website.

China Embassy FAQs

Yes, China has an Embassy in Ottawa, Canada. There are also four Chinese Consulates-General spread across Canada and five Chinese Visa Application Centers.

The Centers specifically provide services related to visas and document authentication. You can find contact details and other information about each of these in the ‘Areas of Jurisdiction’ section of this guide.

You can immigrate from China to Canada to work or study. In Canada, your country of origin doesn’t make much of a difference. You can find a job based on your educational and professional skills.

You have the option to enter the Express Entry pool or apply for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

If you plan to study in Canada, you can apply for a study permit. Canada then offers programs that will allow you to obtain Canadian permanent residency after graduation.

Learn more about your options by visiting the Immigration and Citizenship section of the Canadian government’s website.

It should be noted that permits to reside, work and/or study in Canada are granted by the Canadian authorities and not the Embassy of China.

The Canadian government urges Canadian citizens and residents to avoid non-essential travel, including cruise ship travel, outside of Canada until further notice.

In normal times, the Canadian government recommends that travelers to China exercise a high degree of caution due to the risk of ‘arbitrary enforcement of local laws.

Always check the latest Canada-China travel updates before booking a trip.

Yes, Canadian citizens need a visa to travel to China.
You can apply for a visa in person at one of the five Chinese Visa Application Service Centers spread across Canada. Refer to the ‘Areas of Jurisdiction’ section of this guide for more information.

If you’re currently residing in Toronto, you can apply to renew your passport at the Chinese Consulate General in Toronto. Contact details are available in the ‘Areas of Jurisdiction’ section of this guide.

Residents in the provinces of Ontario and Manitoba can also apply to have their passport renewed at the Consulate General in Toronto.

You should get in touch with the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa or the Consulate in your area for exact timelines. Contact details are available in the ‘Areas of Jurisdiction’ section above.

Yes, these are the contact details for the Canadian Embassy in China:
Embassy of Canada
19 Dongzhimenwai Dajie
Chaoyang District
Beijing 100600 PRC

The Embassy is currently limiting in-person visits due to the pandemic. That said, consular services still remain available to Canadian citizens – if you need help, contact the embassy before visiting.

Relations can at times be strained. In June 2021, Canada led more than 40 countries in expressing concern over China’s actions in Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and Tibet. China responded by referring to Canada’s colonial history.

In July 2021, the two countries were also in disagreement about the South China Sea ruling.

IN CONCLUSION

You should now have a better understanding of the legalization process at the Embassy of China in Canada, together with the other consular services offered at the Embassy, Consulates and Chinese Visa Application Service Centers.

Preparing your documents, authenticating them and then applying for legalization can be a complicated and lengthy process. There are multiple entities involved, as well as specific procedures to follow.

At Document Authentication Canada, we help facilitate the legalization of documents in Canada, including document authentication for China. We navigate through the bureaucracy on your behalf so that you avoid unnecessary delays. Get in touch with our expert team on 1-855-700-5840 to request a quote and a free document evaluation.

Embassy of China in Canada

About The Author

Lori, Director of Operations

Lori Shepherd is a licensed Paralegal, Notary and Mediator in the City of Ottawa and holds a B.A. from Carleton University. A native to the City, she has lived and worked across Canada and overseas. Lori is client focused and dedicated to clear and concise communication to ensure clients feel secure in using our services.