China
Italy
Italy visa for Chinese citizens
Entry requirement
Italy requires Chinese citizens to hold a visa issued in advance.
- Where to apply
- 4 missions
- Visa guide
- Italy visa guide
Checked 31 October 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at ambpechino.esteri.it
Which Italy visa?
Schengen visa (type C) for tourism
Key facts
- Maximum stay
- Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Fee
- €90
Italy’s tourist visa costs €90 at the standard rate published by its authorities. Longest stay on the tourist visa: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Italian missions in China
- Embassy of Italy in Beijing
2, 2nd Street East - San Li Tun, Pechino, Beijing
- Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai
The Center - 19 Floor - 989 Changle Road - 200031, Shanghai
- Consulate General of Italy in Guangzhou
Unit 1403, International Finance Place (IFP) No.8 Huaxia Road, Zhujiang New Town, 510623, Guangzhou, Canton
- Consulate General of Italy in Chongqing
49 mo piano World Financial Center (WFC), n.188, Minzu Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400010, Chongqing
All missions of Italy in China
Italy has 4 missions in China, with its embassy in Beijing. Consulates: Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing.
Italy: visa decisions in China
| Year | Applications | Visas issued | Refused | Refusal rate | Multiple-entry share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 143,648 | 136,155 | 7,321 | 5.1% | 62.4% |
| 2024 | 227,293 | 218,746 | 8,416 | 3.7% | 32.8% |
| 2025 | 277,993 | 269,423 | 8,570 | 3.1% | 29.7% |
In 2025, Italy’s embassy and consulates in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing) received 277,993 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 269,423. 3.1% of applications were refused. In 2024 the rate was much the same, 3.7%. Applications rose by 22% compared with 2024 (227,293).
For comparison, all Schengen states together refused 4.0% of the applications lodged in China that year, from 1.3% at the consulates of Luxembourg to 19.3% at those of Malta. Italy’s consulates worldwide refused 10.8%. Italy was the 4th most applied-for Schengen state in China.
You apply to the Schengen state that is your main destination (the longest stay or the main purpose; the state of first entry only when there is none), so a lower rate elsewhere is no reason to apply there. The figures cover applications lodged in China, by any nationality: mostly citizens, but also residents from other countries.
Source: European Commission, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates 2023–2025 (© European Union, reused under CC BY 4.0). Short-stay (type C) visas. How these figures are made
Italian citizens travelling to China
ItalyChina Visa-free, 30 days China visa for citizens of Italy
Travel advice for Italy
- US State Department Level 2: Exercise increased caution
- UK Foreign Office (FCDO) No advice against travel
- German Foreign Office No travel warning
What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.
Chinese citizens planning a trip to Italy can compare how foreign ministries rate it: the US State Department rates Italy at Level 2, exercise increased caution (updated 9 September 2026), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to Italy (updated 29 October 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for Italy (updated 23 October 2026). Each ministry writes for its own citizens.
Good to know
How long Chinese citizens can stay in Italy
How long Chinese citizens may stay in Italy is set by the visa issued, and the visa type must match the purpose of the trip.
How Chinese citizens apply
In China, applications go to the Italian embassy in Beijing and the consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing, or to a visa centre acting for Italy; fees, documents and processing times are published by Italy.
Italy and the Schengen area
A Schengen visa issued by Italy lets Chinese citizens travel in all Schengen states; apply to Italy when it is the main destination of the trip.
Italy’s neighbours for Chinese citizens
Switzerland, the Holy See, Slovenia, San Marino, France and Austria require Chinese citizens to obtain a visa in advance.
Italian citizens travelling to China
No visa is needed by Italian citizens for China, for stays of up to 30 days.
Frequently asked questions
Do Chinese citizens need a visa for Italy?
Italy requires Chinese citizens to hold a visa issued in advance.
Where is the Italian embassy in China?
The Italian embassy in China is in Beijing; there are also consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing.
How much does the Italy tourist visa cost?
Italy’s official sources give a standard fee of €90 for the tourist visa.
Do Italian citizens need a visa for China?
No visa is needed by Italian citizens for China, for stays of up to 30 days.
Can Chinese citizens enter Italy visa-free?
No; Chinese citizens need a visa for Italy obtained in advance.
Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 31 October 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.