Visa for China from Vancouver

 

• First off: Plan for your appointment to take a while. Even with an appointment for 10:30, my husband and I weren't seen until ~11:45. 
• I provided a copy of my letter of invitation. I did not need the original or my ministry letter.
• Make sure to provide real-size photocopies of your passport, BC driver's license, and work permit. They need to be real-size photocopies, not printed photographs.
  • Note: They do have a copier/scanner at the office that you can use for a fee. But having these ahead of time will save you some hassle.
• Print a copy of your hotel reservation and your planned flight itinerary (flights planned/not booked was okay).
• Bring sufficient cash or a Canadian debit card - these are the only payment methods accepted at the Vancouver consulate. (My visa was $248.75 - afternote: This was my fee as a US citizen. It was lower for some other colleagues.)
• Note that the consulate takes your passport while the visa is processing, so plan accordingly. They said mine will be available on Monday for pickup, so 4 biz days seems accurate for standard processing.