You leave your passport. I can't recall ever getting a visa where you don't.

I've never seen them be too long, though.

You'll need to leave your passport but it should just take a few business days. However, if you are going to apply, do it asap (early the week of the 5th) so you can get the visa processing completed before the Chinese New Year holiday kicks in. The Consulate will close for the 15th and 16th but may be short-staffed for another few days before the holiday closure. Make sure your application is complete and that the photo meets the strict requirements. Even if you don't use a visa agent, checking the website of a reputable one like www.mychinavisa.com will give you additional insights on preparing the application and support documents, plus any special forms needed.

I just did my Chinese visa this week. Dropped it at the consulate on Tuesday afternoon, picked it up today, so I was without my passport for 3 days. Their website suggests 4-5 business days so I was pleasantly surprised.

They also ignored my request for a single entry visa and issued a multi entry that's valid for the remaining life of my passport (7 years) so that was unexpected. Guess I'll just have to go to China a few times to get my money's worth.

If you're Canadian, that would be standard treatment.

Hmm. Didn't realize that. I have a Canadian passport but live in Houston, so I used the consulate here.

Sure it's only for the 7 years left on your passport? As Americans we get 10 years--the visa remains valid even when the passport expires. It just means you have to carry both.

He's sure. The Canadian deal is a little bit different from the American deal. Canadians get the maximum of 10 years or the expiration of their passport, whichever comes first. Their Chinese visas do not cross over into renewed passports.

All good info. We also have the benefit of paying ~60% of what American citizens do, not that the difference of $60 is that big of a deal in the long run. The fee for my visa was $80, and as I understand it the fee for US citizens is $140.

I haven't been to the Mainland in 9 years. I'm planning to go either later this year or the middle of next year. I heard that there is now a 10 year multiple entry visa available for Canadians. How much is that and what are the details of this visa? Since I haven't booked airfare yet, is it still possible for me to get the visa now? The problem is that I work during the weekdays and unless I'm mistaken, the consulate office in Vancouver is only opened on the weekdays. I have the next couple of Mondays off and I just want to get it so that I don't have to find the time to get the visa later. Are they picky about photo sizes now? I think I read somewhere a couple of years ago that is the case. The last time I applied for the visa, I just used a regular passport size photo without any issues. I also can't find my old passport with a Chinese visa at the moment. I think I read somewhere that if I present an old visa, it'll help speed up the application process?

I'm late to this thread. What's the issue with Turkish stamps when visiting China? Sino-Turkish relations at a low point?

You'll need a flight. Here is all the information (you now go through a visa center): https://www.visaforchina.org/YVR_EN/

Most Canadian will get a tourist multi-entry visa for the life of their Canadian passport, max 10years.
The exceptions are dependant on the profession you put on the application and your place of birth.

I find the visa service's fee very reasonable in Vancouver and Toronto as they make sure your application is compliant and they know how to deal with the inner workings at the consulate.

I believe this is due to the fact that many of the Chinese-Muslim minority ethnic groups often have family ties to Turkey. And relations between the Chinese government and the the Muslim minority groups in China is not great.

Did you had to submit proof of airfare and hotel reservation for your visa?