canivisit.com
Beta — verify with official sources⌘K
Home/from/cn/to/it
🇨🇳CHINA
🇮🇹ITALY (SCHENGEN)CN-IT

Do China passport holders need a visa to visit Italy (Schengen)?

Yes, Chinese citizens need a Schengen short-stay visa to enter Italy. Chinese ordinary passport holders need a Schengen Type C short-stay visa for tourism, family visits, or short business trips to Italy. The visa allows up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the Schengen Area. Apply at VFS Global, the official partner for Italy in China. Italy is one of the most popular Schengen destinations for Chinese travellers and tends to have steady approval rates.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-26
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-26
Visa type
Schengen Type C short-stay visa
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days per 180-day period
per entry
Entries
Single, double, or multiple
from issue date
Visa fee
€90
consular fee only
Processing time
15 calendar days (typical)
standard track
Validity
Up to 5 years (multiple entry, when granted)
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Check consular jurisdiction
Italy splits jurisdictions across Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, and a Hong Kong-Macao office. Apply where you legally reside in China.
· jurisdiction matters
/02
Complete the application
Fill the Schengen visa form and prepare supporting documents based on your travel purpose (tourism, family, business, etc.).
· Schengen form
/03
Book VFS appointment
Book on visa.vfsglobal.com/chn/en/ita and choose your nearest Italy Visa Application Centre (IVAC). Centres operate in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Jinan, Shenyang, Wuhan, Xi'an, and more.
· VFS Global· 8+ cities
/04
Submit documents and biometrics
Attend in person with passport, photos, supporting documents, and insurance. Fingerprints and a photo are captured if not in the VIS database within the last 5 years.
· fingerprints· 5-year reuse
/05
Track and collect
Track via VFS. Collect at the centre or by courier once the consulate decides.
· track online· courier optional
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 10 complete
Chinese passport
Valid at least 3 months beyond return, 2 blank pages, issued within 10 years
Schengen visa application form
Signed by applicant
Two recent passport photos
35x45mm, white background, ICAO compliant
Travel medical insurance
Minimum €30,000 cover, valid across Schengen
Flight reservation
Round-trip covering visa dates
Accommodation proof
Hotel bookings or invitation letter for the full stay
Funding evidence
Bank statements for the past 3-6 months and sponsor letters if applicable
Employment or business proof
Employer leave letter, salary slips, business licence, or social security records
Cover letter and itinerary
Day-by-day plan covering Italy and other Schengen states
Family register or proof of relationship
When visiting relatives
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Schengen visa fee€90Adults; €45 for children 6-11; free under 6
VFS service feeAround ¥220Set by VFS Global China
Travel insuranceVariesMinimum €30,000 coverage
Optional servicesVariesPremium lounge, courier, photo, etc.
Total estimate¥900 — ¥1,700+incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard decision
15 calendar days
From the date the consulate receives the application. Italy historically processes Chinese applications efficiently.
Peak season
30-45 days
Apply at least 4-6 weeks before travel during April-August and December.
Extended review
Up to 60 days
When additional documents or referrals are required.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Insufficient or unstable funding
Bank evidence does not credibly cover the trip, or shows unexplained large deposits.
High
/02
Weak ties to China
Employment, family, or property documents too thin to demonstrate intent to return.
High
/03
Itinerary inconsistencies
Booked dates, accommodation, and stated plans do not match.
Medium
/04
Wrong consulate jurisdiction
Applying outside your residence jurisdiction can lead to refusal.
Medium
/05
Insurance below the threshold
Policy under €30,000 or not valid across Schengen.
Medium
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-26
China to Italy route verified
Confirmed €90 Schengen fee, VFS Global as Italy's application partner in China, current jurisdiction coverage, and 15-day standard processing.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Italy or France/Germany — where should I apply?—
Apply at the consulate of your main destination (where you'll spend most nights). If days are equal, apply at the first country of entry. Choosing Italy for a trip mainly in another Schengen state can lead to refusal.
Do I need biometrics each time?+
Can I get a multi-year Italy Schengen visa?+
Does Italy accept tour-group bulk applications?+
Can I work or study with this visa?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the China passport

🇨🇳⇄
Compare the China passport
Stack it up against another passport→
🇨🇳◐
China visa-free map
See where this passport goes visa-free→
🇨🇳▤
China passport power
Global rank and destination breakdown→
See something wrong on this page?
Policies change. If something looks off, tell us — we review every report within 48 hours.