8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Chinese authorities and, to the best of our knowledge, was valid on April 28, 2006. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change.
It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.
Foreign Affairs Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the People's Republic of China and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.
A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit China. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Canadians must also be in possession of a visa. Visas must be obtained prior to departure. Foreigners have been fined or expelled for arriving without a visa. Transit visas are not required for travellers who are on continuing international flights, who hold tickets on connecting flights, or who will remain at the airport for no more than 24 hours while awaiting transit. Travellers who wish to leave the airport while awaiting transit must request a stopover permit from the Chinese border authorities at the airport. Travellers visiting Hong Kong or Macao from mainland China should ensure they obtain visas allowing multiple entries.
The Government of the People's Republic of China has modified requirements for the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens born in Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan. Visas will no longer be issued to Canadian passport holders whose place of birth is inscribed as Hong Kong HKG, Macao MAC, or (city name) TWN. Canadian passports issued to Canadians born in Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan are now issued only with the place of birth and not the three-letter country code.
For further information on China's new visa rules, please refer to the Passport Office Web site.
All foreigners (tourists, visitors, and long-term residents) must register their place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival. If you are in a hotel, registration is done as part of the check-in process. Those staying with family or friends in a private home must also observe this requirement. Failure to do so can result in fines and/or detention.
All travellers are subject to medical screening upon entry into China. Persons with a temperature over 38 degrees Celsius must undergo further medical examination.
Foreign visitors complete a Passenger’s Luggage Declaration before proceeding through the customs area at the Chinese port of entry.
There are absolute prohibitions against arms, drugs, and plant or animal products considered infested with disease or pests. There are also restrictions on the entry of printed matter, film, photos, videotapes and CDs considered detrimental to the interests of China.
A health declaration card must be completed upon arrival. HIV-positive status is grounds for refusal of entry or deportation. Anyone applying for permanent residence, or intending to stay or study for longer than one year, must either produce upon arrival an HIV test certificate (approved by a Chinese embassy or consulate abroad) or undergo a test within 20 days. The test should be conducted in Canada, as sanitary conditions are often substandard in local Chinese hospitals.
Police authorities (Public Security Bureau) are rigorously enforcing visa validity and residency registration requirements for foreigners. There have been raids and spot-checks in residential areas of Beijing. Keep your documentation current at all times. Foreigners are obliged to carry some form of identification (passport or permanent residence card) at all times and present it to police authorities on demand.
Permission is required for travel to Tibet. Travel is permitted only with an organized tour group or a package, which can be arranged through a reputable travel agency, either outside or within China. Agencies that sell packages will also take care of obtaining the necessary permit.
Tourist Visa: Required
Business Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required
Working Visa: Required
Canadians who intend to reside in China are advised that only one pet (a dog or cat) per person can be imported. A Canadian animal health inspection certificate and vaccination certificate should be stamped by your local office of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Animals without the proper documentation will be held in quarantine at the port of arrival and could be destroyed if the proper documentation is not provided.___________________________________________
Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.
Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.
Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.
Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.
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9. MONEY
The currency is the renminbi (RMB). The basic unit of currency is the yuan. Counterfeit renminbi are relatively common, especially in southern China. It is illegal to use foreign currency. Foreign currency should be exchanged at officially approved government facilities only. Any amount over the equivalent of US$6,000 in cash (or equivalent in foreign currencies) must be declared at customs upon arrival in China. The declaration record must be retained to show officials upon departure. Permission is required from a Chinese bank in order to leave with amounts between US$6,000 and US$10,000 (or equivalent in foreign currencies). Travellers are reminded that those who abuse foreign currency regulations will be punished according to Chinese law. Traveller's cheques can be exchanged at most hotels. Major credit cards are not widely accepted in China. Some Chinese banks will provide cash advances using these accounts, but they may charge for the service. Credit cards are accepted in hotels and some larger shops.
It is possible to use bank cards to draw on your Canadian bank account at ATMs in several places. These international ATMs taking Cirrus, PLUS or Maestro are restricted to a few sites in larger cities and most international airports.
Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.
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10. GENERAL INFORMATION
China (capital: Beijing) is located in east Asia, bordered by Mongolia, Russia, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Burma (Myanmar), India, Bhutan, Nepal, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Kazakhstan. The official language is Chinese (Mandarin). Tourist facilities are widely available.
Hong Kong and Macao are Special Administrative Regions (SARs) of China. Canadians contemplating travel to China should also review the Travel Reports for China-Hong Kong and China-Macao.
There are many opportunities for teaching English in China. However, Canadians need to be well informed before signing a contract. Ensure that the contract specifies the maximum number of classroom hours per day and per week, maximum work days per week, and vacation periods. Canadians teaching in China, particularly at newly established private secondary schools and private English training centres, have often found their employers unable or unwilling to honour contract terms or to assist in obtaining Chinese employment visas and other permits required for foreigners to teach lawfully in China. Canadians considering travelling to China to work or study should be aware that they may be required to possess medical insurance (400,000 renminbi). It is recommended that this stipulation be verified with the school or employer prior to arriving in China. It is illegal to work on a tourist (L) visa.
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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.
The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to closely monitor and report on occurrences of avian influenza A (H5N1), or "bird flu", in humans and in birds. Further information on avian influenza A (H5N1) and recommendations for travellers can be found on the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site as well as on the World Health Organization's Web site. For more information, see our Current Issues on Avian Influenza.
The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.
Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.
The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.
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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
Tibet, Qinghai, parts of Xinjiang, and western Sichuan are situated at altitudes over 3,000 metres (10,000 feet). Travellers to these areas should obtain information on altitude sickness before departure. Hospitals that meet international standards may be found in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and a few other major cities. Travellers should ask doctors and dentists to use sterilized equipment. To obtain a list of doctors and hospitals, contact the Embassy of Canada (address above).
Japanese encephalitis, a mosquito-borne disease, is present in areas of southern China from June to August.
Several hospitals in the larger cities have special services, designed for foreigners, with English-speaking staff. Medical care in clinics offering Western-style care for foreigners is much more expensive and must be paid for on the spot, using U.S. dollars or a credit card.
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13. RETURNING TO CANADA
Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.
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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.
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15. TRAVEL TIPS
Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.
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16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.
Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.
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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION
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18. ANNEX
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