China Visa RequirementsFor Italy passport holders
Italian citizens can visit China for up to 15 days without a visa for tourism, business and transit, under China's unilateral visa exemption policy extended in 2024.
Great news! Italy passport holders can enter China without a visa for tourism or business purposes. You can stay up to 15 days.
No visa required for stays up to 15 days. Carry a valid Italian biometric passport. Present your passport at Chinese immigration. If you plan to stay longer or wish to work or study, a Chinese visa must be obtained from a Chinese Embassy or Consulate before departure.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Current Travel Situation
Italy to China: What You Need to Know
China announced a unilateral visa-free policy for Italian passport holders in November 2023, extended indefinitely from 2024. Italian nationals can enter China for stays up to 15 days for purposes including tourism, business, transit and family visits without applying for a visa. This is a significant change from the previous visa requirement and applies to all entry ports.
Practical Tips
China's cashless payment ecosystem (WeChat Pay, Alipay) now accepts international credit cards linked to the apps. A VPN is recommended for accessing Google, WhatsApp and Western social media, which are blocked in China. Travel to Tibet requires an additional Tibet Travel Permit regardless of nationality. Register at your hotel within 24 hours of arrival (hotels do this automatically).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Italian citizens need a visa to visit China?
No, for stays up to 15 days. China introduced a unilateral visa exemption for Italian passport holders in November 2023. For stays beyond 15 days or for work or study, a Chinese visa must be obtained before departure.
How long can Italian passport holders stay in China without a visa?
Up to 15 days per entry for purposes including tourism, business, transit and family visits under the 2023-2024 visa exemption policy.
Can I visit Tibet as an Italian citizen travelling to China?
Entry to the Tibet Autonomous Region requires a Tibet Travel Permit (TTP) in addition to the regular China entry permission, regardless of nationality. The TTP must be arranged through a registered travel agency in China and cannot be obtained independently.
Do I need a VPN in China as an Italian visitor?
Many Western websites and services including Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook are blocked in China by the Great Firewall. Installing a VPN on your devices before entering China is strongly recommended, as VPN apps cannot be downloaded from within China.