Skip to content
China Visit Guide

Plan · Visa & entry

China visa for Italy citizens

Italian passport holders are eligible for 30-day visa-free entry to mainland China for tourism, business or family visits. Hong Kong 90 days visa-free, Macau 90 days.

Visa rules verified May 2026. Confirm with your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate before booking flights.

Current status (verified May 2026)

Italian ordinary passport holders are eligible for the 30-day visa-free entry to mainland China for tourism, business, family visit or transit. Italy was included in the 2024 expansion of the visa-free programme.

What you need at the border

  • Passport valid at least 6 months beyond intended stay.
  • Onward ticket out of China.
  • Hotel booking confirmation or address of stay.
  • Digital health and customs declaration completed on arrival via QR scan.

What 30-day visa-free covers

  • Tourism, business meetings, family visit, short-stay transit.
  • Travel throughout mainland China except restricted permit zones (Tibet requires the Tibet Travel Permit; certain border zones in Xinjiang require additional documentation).

What it does not cover

  • Working, studying or journalism — separate visa categories apply.
  • Stays exceeding 30 days — apply for an L visa via the Chinese embassy in Rome or a consulate.
  • Tibet Autonomous Region — a Tibet Travel Permit is mandatory and must be arranged through a licensed agency before arrival.

Applying for a standard L visa

Should the 30-day window prove insufficient, Italian applicants submit via the Chinese Embassy in Rome or consulates-general in Milan, Florence, or through the China Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) offices. Standard requirements include a valid passport (6+ months remaining), completed online application form, photograph, return flight booking and hotel reservation. Processing is typically four working days, with an express option.

Hong Kong and Macau

Italian passport-holders are visa-free for Hong Kong (90 days) and Macau (90 days). Crossing from either SAR to mainland China is a separate immigration event; your mainland 30-day entitlement applies independently.

Things to confirm before flying

The visa-free arrangement can change with little notice. Verify current eligibility with the Chinese Embassy in Rome or through official Chinese government sources before purchasing non-refundable flights.

Embassy: Embassy in Rome; consulates-general in Milan, Florence

Verified May 2026