Reply Italian Citizen Living in the UK - Do I Need a Visa to

Question

Hi everyone,

I'm an Italian citizen (with an Italian passport) currently living in the UK, and I'm planning a trip to China for tourism soon. I was just about to start my visa application when I came across information about a new visa-free policy for certain European countries, including Italy.

Can anyone confirm if I, as an Italian passport holder living in the UK, still qualify for the visa-free entry? Just want to be 100% sure before I go ahead with anything. Thank you, Letty

I should have ask this question on my yesterday question.

Answer

Hello Letty,

As an Italian passport holder, you are eligible for China’s 24-hour, 72-hour, or 144/144-hour visa-free transit policies in certain cities, depending on your travel plans. However, there are important distinctions to consider:

Visa-free transit vs. standard tourist visa: These visa-free policies are only valid if you are transiting through certain Chinese cities and have confirmed tickets to a third country or region. They do not cover an independent trip where China is your main destination unless you meet the specific transit conditions.
Nationality vs. residence: Your residence in the UK does not affect your eligibility. What matters is your Italian passport. So being a UK resident does not prevent you from qualifying for the transit visa exemption if you meet the conditions.
Duration and city limitations: For example, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and some other cities allow 144-hour or 72-hour visa-free transit for European nationals. You must enter and leave via the eligible city and have onward tickets to a third country.

If your goal is to enter China for tourism (not just transit) and plan to visit multiple cities for several days, the transit visa exemption may not apply. In that case, you will need to apply for a standard Chinese tourist visa (L visa) at a Chinese consulate or visa center before your trip.

Option 1: If your trip involves entering China from a third country and leaving for another third country within the eligible timeframe, you may qualify for visa-free transit. Check the city-specific rules carefully.
Option 2: If you are entering China directly for tourism, sightseeing, and multiple cities, apply for a standard L visa in advance. Being an Italian passport holder makes the process straightforward.

Summary: Your Italian citizenship makes you eligible for transit visa exemptions if your travel meets the city-specific requirements. For an actual tourist trip inside China, you should apply for a regular tourist visa regardless of your UK residency.

Recommendation: Clarify your itinerary (entry city, exit city, travel dates, duration). If you intend to spend several days sightseeing in multiple cities, go ahead and apply for the standard L visa in advance to avoid issues.

Reply Italian Citizen Living in the UK - Do I Need a Visa to

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