China visas: which one to choose for tourism, study, business, work, family or transit

The key idea. You choose a Chinese visa by the main purpose of your trip, not by how long you would like to stay. Tourism: visa-free entry or an L visa. Short exchanges and study tours: F. Proper study: X2 or X1. Work: Z. Business: M. Family: Q or S. Transit: visa-free transit or a G visa, if you meet the conditions.

1. When you may not need a visa at all

China has significantly widened its unilateral visa-free policy. Holders of ordinary passports from the countries on the official list can enter mainland China without a visa and stay for up to 30 days for tourism, business, visiting family and friends, exchanges or transit.

• Europe: Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway and most other EU and European countries are on the list. A few EU states are not, so always check your own nationality.
• United Kingdom and Canada: visa-free since 17 February 2026.
• Latin America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Uruguay (since 1 June 2025).
• Asia-Pacific and the Gulf: among others, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman.
• Russia: also included, with the policy announced until 31 December 2027.

For most countries on the list, the policy is currently valid until 31 December 2026. China has extended it several times, but an extension is never automatic: if your trip falls in 2027, check the latest announcement from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs or your local Chinese embassy before booking.

Nationals of the United States, Mexico, Colombia and many other countries are not covered by the unilateral 30-day policy and, as a rule, need a visa (a few countries have separate bilateral agreements with China, so check your own case), although some of them can use the 240-hour visa-free transit described below.

Visa-free entry does not replace a study or work visa. If you are going to study long-term, work, obtain a residence permit after arrival or stay longer than allowed, you need the right visa category from the start.

2. 240-hour visa-free transit

Separately from the 30-day policy, China offers visa-free transit of up to 240 hours (10 days). According to the NIA (China's National Administration for border entry), as of late 2026 it covers nationals of 57 countries, including the United Kingdom, Spain and most of the EU, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Chile.

• you must be travelling between two different countries or regions, for example Madrid – Shanghai – Tokyo; a return to the country you came from does not qualify;
• you need an onward ticket with a confirmed seat and date, departing within 240 hours;
• your passport should be valid for at least 3 more months;
• entry is through one of the designated ports, and you must stay within the permitted provinces and regions;
• work, study and journalism are not allowed under this scheme.

The final decision is always made by the border officer, so carry your tickets and bookings with you.

3. Where and how to apply

You can apply in your country of residence or nationality, or in a third country where you hold a residence permit. The application is completed online on the Visaforchina platform, where you select the country and city of submission, upload your documents and then hand in your passport in person at a Chinese Visa Application Service Center.

If you are not applying in your country of nationality, include proof of legal stay in the country of application: a residence permit or card, a long-stay visa, a status certificate, or proof of study or employment. This explains why you are applying from there. The network of visa centres changes over time, so confirm the centre when you fill in the form.

4. Which visa fits which purpose

• 30-day visa-free entry: tourism, business, visits, exchanges and transit, for nationals of listed countries. Suitable for short trips without work or long-term study.
• L: tourism, private trips, touring several cities, travel with hotel bookings or an invitation.
• F: exchanges, visits, study tours and short non-commercial activities such as conferences, cultural and academic exchanges or volunteering of up to 90 days.
• M: commercial and trade activities such as business trips, negotiations, trade fairs, supplier visits and contract meetings.
• X2: short-term study of up to 180 days, such as language courses and semester or short programmes.
• X1: long-term study of more than 180 days, such as university degrees, master's programmes and year-long courses. A residence permit is required after arrival.
• Z: employment, including formal jobs with a work permit, commercial performances and contract work.
• Q1/Q2: family members of Chinese citizens or permanent residents. Q1 is for long-term family reunion, Q2 for short visits to relatives.
• S1/S2: family members of foreigners living in China, or private matters. S1 is for more than 180 days, S2 for up to 180 days.
• R: high-level talent and professionals with skills in high demand in China.
• G: transit, when visa-free transit is not an option.
• J1/J2: journalists. J1 is for resident correspondents, J2 for short reporting trips.
• C: crew members of international transport.
• D: people approved for permanent residence in China.

5. The main categories in detail

Tourism: visa-free or L

For a holiday, first check whether you qualify for visa-free entry. If your nationality is not on the list, or the length or purpose of your trip does not fit, apply for an L tourist visa. You will usually need your passport, the application form, a photo, an itinerary and hotel and flight bookings, or an invitation from a person or organisation in China.

Short exchanges, courses and study tours: F or X2

If the trip is an exchange, study tour or a cultural, academic or non-commercial activity, the F category is often the right one. If you will be studying at a Chinese educational institution for up to 180 days, X2 is usually more appropriate. The difference matters: an F visa is based on an invitation to an exchange or event, while X2 is based on a study programme and admission documents.

Long-term study: X1

X1 is for study of more than 180 days. You will normally need an Admission Notice and a JW201 or JW202 form. After arrival, the student must apply for a residence permit within the required time. For minors and school programmes, documents about the legal guardian, the school, accommodation and a responsible person in China may also be required.

Business: M

The M visa covers commercial and trade trips: negotiations, trade fairs, supplier meetings and contract signing. The key document is an invitation from your Chinese business partner, showing your details, the purpose, dates and itinerary of the visit, information on the inviting company and its stamp or signature.

Work: Z

The Z visa is required for employment and any paid activity in China. You usually need a Work Permit Notification Letter or another authorisation issued by the Chinese authorities, and after arrival you must obtain a residence permit. If you are going to work, do not replace a Z visa with an L, F or M visa just because they seem easier to get.

Family and private matters: Q and S

Q1/Q2 visas are for relatives of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with permanent residence in China. S1/S2 visas are for family members of foreigners who live in China for work, study or other reasons, and for certain private matters. The key documents are the invitation, proof of the inviting person's status in China and proof of the family relationship.

Transit: visa-free transit or G

First check whether visa-free transit works for your route, port of entry or region, nationality and onward tickets. If it does not, you may need a G transit visa.

6. Basic document checklist

The exact set depends on the visa category, your nationality and where you apply, but applicants usually prepare:

• a passport with sufficient validity and blank pages;
• the completed online application form and submission confirmation;
• a recent photo on a white background;
• proof of legal stay in the country of application, if it is not your country of nationality;
• documents supporting the purpose of your trip: hotel and flight bookings, an invitation, admission documents, JW201/JW202, a business invitation, a work permit or family documents;
• financial and personal documents where relevant to your case: bank statements, employment, self-employment or company documents, studies, marital status;
• for minors: birth certificate, consent from parents or guardians, details of the accompanying adult and documents from the responsible person or organisation.

7. How to choose your visa: a practical step-by-step

1. Define the main purpose of your trip: tourism, study, business, work, family or transit.
2. Check whether visa-free entry applies: your nationality, a stay of up to 30 days, an allowed purpose and an ordinary passport.
3. If the trip is study-related, decide whether it is a short course, an exchange or long-term study: F, X2 or X1.
4. If you have an invitation from China, make sure its wording matches the visa category.
5. Choose where to apply: your country of residence, your country of nationality or a third country where you hold residence.
6. Complete the online form, upload your documents, wait for the system status and then submit at the visa centre.

8. Applying from a country that is not your own

Many of our clients are Latin Americans living in Spain, or British and EU citizens living abroad. If you apply outside your country of nationality, the key question is not only the visa category but also your status in the country where you apply. Depending on your situation, include your residence card (for example, a Spanish TIE), student card, long-stay visa, local registration, rental contract, or study or employment documents.

If you are only in the country temporarily as a tourist, the outcome may be less predictable: the visa centre may accept your documents, but the consulate can ask for further explanations or suggest that you apply in your country of permanent residence. For non-standard cases, check in advance whether you can apply there and prepare a clear explanation of your itinerary.

Also keep in mind that documents in Spanish or other languages may need a translation into English or Chinese if the visa centre or the inviting party requests it.

9. Minors

The visa category depends on the purpose of the trip: tourism means an L visa or visa-free entry if the nationality qualifies, a short camp or study tour means F or X2, and long-term school or university means X1. Documents for the parents and the accompanying adult are prepared separately.

• The child travels with both parents: usually a birth certificate and the parents' documents.
• The child travels with one parent: consent from the other parent, or a document proving sole parental responsibility, is often required.
• The child travels alone or with a third party: parental consent, details of the accompanying adult, the address in China and documents from the school, camp or host organisation are needed.
• For long-term study, documents about a legal representative or guardian in China may be required, especially if the child will live without their parents.

10. Tourism: the L visa

The L tourist visa is for an ordinary trip to mainland China: sightseeing, visiting cities, a touring itinerary, a holiday or visiting friends, with no study or work purpose. If your nationality qualifies for visa-free entry and your trip fits its conditions, you may not need an L visa at all.

What to choose in different situations

• Short trip, visa-free nationality: visa-free entry. Check the length of stay, purpose, itinerary, passport validity, tickets and bookings.
• Tourism, but visa-free entry does not apply or you want a more predictable option: L visa. Prepare your passport, proof of status in the country of application, itinerary, hotels or an invitation, and any previous Chinese visas.
• Visiting a private person, without study or work: usually L, or S2/Q2 depending on who invites you.
• Short course, study tour, exchange or cultural programme: not L, but usually F or X2.
• Work, paid activity or long-term study: not L. Z for work, X1 for study of more than 180 days.

Information you will need for the form

• Personal details: passport scan, nationality, date and place of birth, marital status, occupation, phone and email.
• Status in the country of application (if it is not your country of nationality): residence permit, visa, registration or other proof of legal stay.
• Travel and visa history: previous Chinese visas, whether you still have the old passport with the visa, and any change of name or surname.
• Itinerary in China: entry and exit dates, cities, arrival and departure airports, and an approximate day-by-day plan.
• Tickets and accommodation: return flight bookings and hotel bookings for the entire trip, or an invitation from your host.
• Finances and occupation: bank statement, employment letter, self-employment or company documents, a certificate from your school or university, or sponsor documents.
• Family and travel companions: who is travelling with you, family relationships and documents of accompanying persons, especially for children.

Documents for an L visa

• Passport: the original, usually valid for at least 6 months with blank visa pages, plus a copy of the data page.
• Online application form on Visaforchina, selecting the country and city of submission. Details must match your passport exactly.
• Photo: colour, 48×33 mm, full face, no headwear, light background.
• Status in the country of application, if you are not applying in your country of nationality.
• Itinerary: return tickets and hotel bookings, or an invitation.
• Invitation instead of hotels: including your details, travel dates and purpose, address in China, and the inviting person's details and signature. The host usually adds a copy of their ID or passport and proof of their status in China.
• Financial and personal ties: not always mandatory, but useful: bank statements, employment, business, studies, family, residence permit.
• Minors: birth certificate, copies of the parents' passports, travel consent, details of the accompanying adult and the address in China.

Invitation or hotel bookings?

• Hotel and flight bookings: classic independent travel across several cities. Bookings must cover the whole period and match your itinerary and tickets.
• Invitation from a private person: visiting friends or relatives and staying with them. Include the host's details, address, phone, signature, a copy of their ID and proof of their status in China.
• Invitation from a tour operator or organisation: organised tours, programmes and groups. The letter states the purpose, dates, itinerary and the details of the applicant and the host.

Quick guide

1. Check your nationality and whether visa-free entry is available for your purpose and length of stay.
2. Decide where you will apply and, if it is not your country of nationality, prepare proof of legal stay there.
3. Define the purpose: tourism is L or visa-free; a study tour is F or X2; work is Z; long-term study is X1.
4. Build your itinerary: dates, cities, tickets, hotels or an invitation.
5. Check your passport: validity, blank pages, previous Chinese visas, any change of name.
6. Complete the online form, choose the country and city of submission and upload your documents.
7. Once the online check is complete, bring the originals and hand in your passport at the visa centre.

Fingerprints for short-term visas: applications submitted until 31 December 2026 for tourism, business, family visits or transit with a stay of up to 180 days are exempt from fingerprinting, including single, double and multiple-entry visas. Applicants for D, J1, Q1, S1, X1 and Z visas still give fingerprints. The exemption does not remove the need to submit your documents and passport.

Before you fly: China now lets foreign travellers complete the arrival card online before arrival, which can save time at the border.

11. Common mistakes when choosing a visa

• Trying to work on an L tourist visa or an M business visa.
• Confusing F and X2: an exchange or study tour is not always the same as formal study.
• Applying for X2 for a programme longer than 180 days instead of X1.
• Forgetting that X1 requires a residence permit after arrival in China.
• Not including proof of status when applying from a third country.
• Using visa-free entry for a purpose that actually requires a visa or permit.
• Assuming that Hong Kong and Macao follow the same rules as mainland China: they have separate visa systems.

Conclusion

For a short holiday, check visa-free entry first; if it does not apply, go for an L visa. For short exchanges and cultural or academic trips, F. For study of up to 180 days, X2; for more than 180 days, X1. For business, M; for work, Z; for family, Q or S; for transit, visa-free transit or G. One rule matters most: your documents must reflect the real purpose of your trip.

How Via Globally can help

Via Globally is a private visa agency, not a government body. We work online and from our offices in Moscow and Barcelona. We can:

• check whether you can travel visa-free or with visa-free transit, based on your nationality and route;
• help you choose the right visa category for your purpose;
• prepare and review your documents and the Visaforchina form;
• advise on applying from a third country, such as Spain, with your residence card.

The final decision always rests with the Chinese consular authorities. Free consultation: WhatsApp +34 691 527 216 · viaglobally.com