🇱🇻Latvia

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Latvia to China visa requirements

Q: How is the 30-day stay counted?

China's current NIA country list and MFA FAQ say the visa-free stay is calculated from 00:00 on the day after entry and lasts 30 calendar days.

Q: Can I use the waiver more than once?

Yes. China's MFA FAQ says eligible travelers may enter multiple times and currently has no restriction on the number of entries or total days, provided each entry stays within the allowed purpose and duration.

Q: Does my passport need six months of validity?

For visa-free entry, China requires a Latvian ordinary passport valid for at least the intended stay. Six months of validity and blank pages remain a safer travel buffer and are usually needed for a regular visa application.

Q: Do I need to complete an Arrival Card?

Yes unless an exemption applies. Complete it free through official NIA online channels before travel, or at the port if you cannot submit it in advance.

Q: Can I work or study on visa-free entry?

No. Work, formal study, news coverage, and other non-waiver purposes require the correct visa or residence/stay authorization.

Q: Can I stay longer than 30 days?

For planned stays over 30 days, apply for the appropriate visa before travel. If a proper reason to stay longer arises after visa-free entry, apply for a stay permit with public security exit-entry administration before expiry.

Q: Where do Latvians apply for a China visa if not visa-free?

Use the China Online Visa Processing System first, then make an appointment to submit the passport in person at the Chinese Embassy in Riga after online review. The embassy fee table lists EUR 45 for Latvian-citizen individual visas.

Q: Does this policy cover Hong Kong or Macau?

No. This unilateral visa-free policy is for mainland China. Hong Kong and Macau have separate immigration rules.

Latvian ordinary passport holders can visit mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days through 31 Dec 2026. As of 29 June 2026, Latvian ordinary passport holders may enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 calendar days for business, tourism, visits to relatives or friends, exchange visits, transit, and short activities such as sports competitions, conferences, exhibitions, or study tours when the stay does not exceed 30 days. The Chinese Embassy in Latvia says the Latvia policy runs from 00:00 on 3 November 2025 to 24:00 on 31 December 2026 Beijing time, and the China MFA FAQ says the unilateral waiver for Latvia and the other listed non-Brunei/non-Russia countries remains in effect until 31 December 2026. Eligible travelers do not need a visa application, CVASC appointment, fee, or advance declaration to a Chinese embassy or consulate. Border inspection can still examine the purpose of travel, so carry matching evidence such as invitations, air tickets, accommodation reservations, event details, or an itinerary. For visa-free entry, China requires an ordinary passport valid for at least the intended stay; six months of validity and blank pages remain a prudent buffer and are normally needed for regular visa applications, but the official visa-free FAQ does not set a fixed six-month rule. Work, formal study, news coverage, non-ordinary travel documents, and planned stays over 30 days still require the proper visa or stay permit. For regular visas, Latvia applicants use the China Online Visa Processing System and then submit the passport in person at the Chinese Embassy in Riga; the embassy fee table lists EUR 45 for Latvian-citizen individual visas, with regular processing in 5 working days and express service in 2-4 working days when accepted.

VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-07-01

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.

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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-07-01

Visa type

Unilateral visa-free entry (ordinary passport)

Maximum stay

Up to 30 calendar days per entry

per entry

Entries

Multiple entries allowed; no current official cap on entries or total visa-free days

from issue date

Visa fee

Free

consular fee only

Processing time

No pre-application; entry after border inspection and Arrival Card unless exempt

standard track

Validity

Policy extended through 24:00 on 31 Dec 2026 Beijing time; passport must cover the intended stay

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm ordinary passport eligibility

Use a Latvian ordinary passport valid for the intended stay in mainland China. Travel documents, temporary documents, emergency documents, and other non-ordinary passports are outside this unilateral waiver.

· ordinary passport· valid for stay

/02

Confirm purpose and timing

Keep the trip within the eligible short-stay purposes: business, tourism, relatives or friends visits, exchange, transit, sports competitions, conferences, exhibitions, or short study tours. The 30-day stay is calculated from 00:00 on the day after entry.

· eligible purpose· 30 days

/03

Prepare border evidence

Carry documents matching the stated purpose, such as invitation letters, return or onward tickets, accommodation reservations, event details, or an itinerary. Border officers may ask for them.

· tickets· accommodation

/04

Complete the Arrival Card

Foreign visitors may fill in entry information online before arrival through official NIA channels. If unable to do so in advance, complete it at the port by QR code, smart device, or paper card unless an exemption applies.

· arrival card· free

/05

Enter at an open port

Present the passport and supporting documents at immigration. The waiver applies at sea, road, and air ports open to foreign nationals unless a specific law, regulation, or bilateral arrangement says otherwise.

· border inspection

/06

Hotels submit foreign guest registration automatically. For private homes or other non-hotel lodging, the visitor or host must register with local public security within 24 hours.

· 24-hour registration

/07

Use a regular visa when needed

For work, formal study, news coverage, non-waiver purposes, non-ordinary documents, or a planned stay over 30 days, apply online through the China Online Visa Processing System and submit the passport at the Chinese Embassy in Riga.

· embassy route

/08

Depart or regularize before expiry

Leave within the 30-day visa-free period. If a justified need to stay longer arises after entry, apply for a stay permit with public security exit-entry administration before the waiver expires.

· no overstay

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items

Personalized checklist

Latvia -> China · Unilateral visa-free entry (ordinary passport)

0 / 10 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredLatvian ordinary passport

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

Valid for the intended stay; six months and blank pages remain prudent

RequiredEligible purpose