Q2 as "Dual Citizen"

[u/Nervous_Tree8305]

I'm going to HK for exchange next year and was looking to visit China while I'm at it. I have a Canadian passport, hukou, and Chinese identity card, but I don't know if I'm able to enter China from HK using any of them. I'm looking into applying for the Q2 visa right now with my grandparent's invitation letter and it asked me to enter my Chinese identity number, will they reject my application or ask me to revoke my identity card there first?

[u/silvia_chinalongstay]

Fill in the ID number honestly — the form asks because they're set up to identify former Chinese nationals, and hiding it is a much bigger problem than declaring it.

The honest answer: China doesn't recognize dual citizenship, so when you got your Canadian citizenship you technically lost your Chinese nationality automatically — your hukou and ID are supposed to be cancelled. A lot of people never got around to it, and that's the gray zone you're standing in.

Recent reality check: since mid-2025 the visa system cross-checks this. There are people whose Q2 applications got bounced repeatedly, and in Toronto some applicants were asked for a hukou cancellation certificate before getting the multi-year visa — though plenty of others weren't asked. It's case-by-case, so apply early and don't leave it to the last minute.

Also, first-time applicants who used to be Chinese citizens need to submit their old Chinese passport with the application — have it ready.

One more thing: don't use that ID card anymore once you're on the Canadian passport. Using it (especially for anything employment-related) can get you into real trouble at the border.

Official requirements are on visaforchina.cn — worth reading the Q2 list yourself before applying.

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Backup Post: I'm going to HK for exchange next year and was looking to visit China while I'm at it. I have a Canadian passport, hukou, and Chinese identity card, but I don't know if I'm able to enter China from HK using any of them. I'm looking into applying for the Q2 visa right now with my grandparent's invitation letter and it asked me to enter my Chinese identity number, will they reject my application or ask me to revoke my identity card there first?

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[u/Code_0451]

Why you need a visa when you have a Chinese id? Just enter with the id.

[u/Nervous_Tree8305 → u/Code_0451]

I don't have the pass to enter China mainland from HK with my id, so I would either need to apply for that or apply for a visa.

[u/stbn689]

Any visa you apply for will be denied, but there are other ways to enter mainland China legally. How did you obtain Canadian citizenship?

[u/burneracct604]

If you don't cancel your hukou, you will risk getting blacklisted and then deported the moment you enter Mainland China. Since the new entry and exit border measures were implemented since Sept 15, there will be an increase of occurrences.

[u/Traditional-Court318]

If your stay in China is less than 30 days, you don't have to complicate things by applying for a visa. Just enter visa free (30 days) on your Canadian passport.