Chinese Visa Application Service Centre - Calgary

If you have All of your documents ready in order, be ready to spend at least 30min for the whole process. Here's a check list: - printout of your filled online application - print version of your visa photo if your online digital version failed - your Chinese invitation letter (original may be needed) - a photocopy of your inviter's Chinese ID (front and back) - your current valid passport - a photocopy of your picture page of your passport - a photocopy of your previous Chinese Visa inside your passport - a prepaid XPress Canada Post envelope if you're doing the mail back and not going for in-person pickup Don't ask why you need these photo-copies of your passport and past visa, just provide them with it and be done. My guess is the consulate wants a paper version of it and is easier for applicants to do this rather themselves. The location does have 2PCs and a printer/copier but you need to pay with exact coins. Shootout to the nice Canadian security officer there who didn't charge me bc I didnt have exact change. Cheers! Also I'd suggest taking the C-train there since the building is only a block from the train stop and for the train fare price is much cheaper than the headache of looking for downtown parking and the anxiety of waiting if there's a ton of ppl in line.

Be Cautious that multiple trips are most likely required! They ask you for few things that aren’t listed on their website, and the check-in lady blames everything on you because you didn’t call them in the first place. My point is if you have to call them each time, why don’t you guys either complete the website and get the proper work done or shut down the website? The application lady was okay and helpful. The cashier lady made me feel like I own her money. She YELLED at me to get HER machine back. When I get home and call them to confirm if they have received my missed pp. and visa pictures, they phone even said EVERYTHING is on their website. Inconsistent services, incompetent crews and unacceptable work ethics.

Service seems to be pretty quick and courteous, but they don't tell you everything you need beforehand. I triple-checked that I had all the documents on the list they provided before driving 3 hours for my visa application, only to be told when I got there that I was missing a document that was not on the list. For those visiting friends in China, apparently you need a photocopy of their Chinese ID in addition to the letter of invitation that is listed in the required documents. They told me I can just quickly print it off from their computers, but that was not helpful since it was the middle of the night in China so I could not get ahold of my friend there to get the documents. Wasted over 6 hours of driving time, plus the cost of gas and $20 for parking, because they didn't list all the required documents on their website.

I am amazed that the average rating is as low as it is. This is the best government office I have ever been to. I got a student visa a few years ago, and recently went again to get a travel visa. First of all, the security guard is certainly the most helpful security guard I have ever met. He provides a huge amount of information before you ever reach the main counter, helps with filling out forms, and he even helped me photoshop my picture because the background wasn't white enough! I have never had to wait for more than a couple minutes. They even will take passport pictures for you (for a fee, of course) if you don't have any or if the ones you have aren't good enough. Seriously, going to this place is such a nice experience, it is so much better than any government office I have ever been to. Everything is fast and easy. Visas arrive in three business days. I had to leave a review after seeing so many bad reviews for this place. Just remember to bring a handfull of quarters to pay for printing.

Careful using Google maps directly from the business card, it is the wrong location. Type the address without the suite 200 to get the right navigation. Also for people that think these staff are impolite, they are in for a rude awakening once they arrive in china and deal with the people there. The staff were variable in politeness, the young girl at check in was very helpful and nice. The later staff were pretty curt, but whatever they got the job done. For people that don't know, if you're over 14 you need to do fingerprints now. There isn't anyone here to help you fill out a form step by step so have it filled out on their website and printed. If you wanna save yourself the trouble of figuring everything out it might be worth going through a travel agency that specializes in Chinese visa applications. Also the fee for one tourist visa was roughly 180 all in I think. I spent about 90 minutes here to process 3 visas, I imagine one visa would be about the same time though. I'm giving 4 stars cause this office actually answers their phone which was helpful in getting my forms ready.

Very fast and polite. Be forewarned:you need to have all your documents in order - and maybe extra supporting documentation! The website can be tough to navigate for newbies like me. I understood that my daughter being born here, and both of her parents, that her passport was sufficient. They decided because her name "sounded Chinese" she had to show her birth certificate with parents' birthplaces. Hoping I'm not spending 8 hours back on the highway to clear this up.

My experience and some tips: - Service was what I expected. Efficient, to-the-point, curt. I didn't really expect super nice smiley service from an office that deals with so many people. - Directions on Google maps were wrong but ARE NOW CORRECT. Best to park at the Circle K or in the Parkade a few buildings down. - Even if you apply through a travel agency you will need to come here to get your fingerprints taken. I phoned two agencies beforehand and both said I might as well just apply on my own. - Make sure you have EVERYTHING in hand for your desired Visa before you arrive. This includes a printed copy of the information page in your passport and a Canada Post X-Press post envelope if you want them to mail your passport back to you. THIS IS THE ONLY ENVELOPE THEY WILL ACCEPT. Every other required document will be listed on their website. Be prepared so you are done quickly! - I didn't quite understand the point of booking an appointment online when I was just put in line with walk-ins anyway. Nonetheless you are required to book an appointment as of 2019. I believe this is so they can control and estimate the number of applications they will receive in a day. - Price was about $160 for application and service fees. Only debit and cash is accepted (debit is preferred). *Note* I saw notes in the center that say they were raising the service fees later this spring so please keep that in mind before applying. $200 in cash or debit availability will give you plenty of breathing room for applying. If you are prepared then you will smoothly sail through the application. I appreciated how many fellow travelers in line talked to me about their own past travels and future plans. It made the wait a lot better! 3/5

Plan to spend at least one hour if not more for the whole process. 1) We had an appointment for 0900 but so did everyone else there. It’s sort of a first come first serve sort of deal. We got there for 0850 and there was already 10-15 people in line. We were a party of two and we spent about an hour and a half there. 2) If you want everything to go smoothly make sure you have a copy of everything! Your passport, flight details for in and out of China, accommodation and the application filled out correctly. I made the mistake of not adding my middle name on the application and it was in my passport. They have a station where you can print/photocopy/ fix application. 3) The security guard seems to think he’s the authority and will lecture you about anything he can. Just avoid eye contact. 4) it cost 157 per person with tax. 5) I’m shocked in this day and age that his process is not very digital. Lots of paperwork.