China tourist visa (L) from Portugal: online form and Lisbon visa centre
Visa-free entry covers many European passports, but most residents of Portugal from South Asia and Africa still need a Chinese tourist visa. Here is the online form, the Lisbon visa centre process and the documents.
In this article
Short answer: first check whether you need a visa at all. China lets citizens of many countries, including Portugal and most EU states, visit visa-free for up to 30 days, and offers 240-hour visa-free transit to citizens of 57 countries. If your passport is on neither list (for example India, Bangladesh, Nepal or Pakistan), you apply for a tourist (L) visa. Residents of Portugal fill in the online application, wait for the online review and then submit documents and pay at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Lisbon.
Information as of October 2026. Fees are listed on the visa centre’s website.
Do you need a visa?
| Your situation | What you need |
|---|---|
| Passport on China’s unilateral visa-free list (many EU countries) | Nothing for stays up to 30 days |
| Passport on the 240-hour transit list, flying to a third country | Visa-free transit at designated ports |
| Neither | Tourist (L) visa |
The lists change often. Check the official notices before you book.
How the Lisbon process works
Since 31 March 2025, applicants in Lisbon must:
- Fill in the application form online and upload documents on the visa centre system.
- Wait for the online review.
- Go to the visa centre within two weeks of approval to submit your passport and documents and pay. After two weeks you must start again.
Since May 2025 the Lisbon centre also offers a two-way mailing service within Portugal, including the Azores and Madeira, for those who cannot come in person.
Documents for a tourist visa
- passport valid for at least six months with blank pages, and a copy of the bio page
- Portuguese TRC (original and copy), since you apply from Portugal as a non-Portuguese citizen
- recent photo meeting Chinese requirements
- round-trip flight reservation
- hotel reservations for the whole stay, or an invitation letter if you visit someone
- a simple itinerary
- other documents the centre requests for your case, such as bank statements or an employment letter
Tips
- Apply one to three months before travel.
- Make sure the dates on your flight and hotel reservations match the form.
- If you were born in China or held Chinese nationality, extra rules may apply.
Frequently asked questions
Do Portuguese residents need a visa for China?
It depends on your passport. Many EU citizens are visa-free for 30 days. Others need an L visa or may qualify for 240-hour transit.
Can I apply for a Chinese visa by post in Portugal?
Yes. The Lisbon visa centre offers a two-way mailing service within Portugal.
Do I need a hotel booking for a Chinese visa?
Usually yes, or an invitation letter if you stay with someone.
How long can I stay on a tourist visa?
The length of each stay is printed on the visa, commonly 30 days.
Sources
This article is general information. Rules change: before you apply, our team confirms what applies to you.
