Do you need a visa to travel to China?

When travelling to or through China, your passport must be valid for a further 6 months after your return. A visa is also required for travel to China; you can apply for one at the Chinese Embassy. If your stopover lasts no longer than 72 hours, a visa is usually not required. Please note: if, within 72 hours, you are flying to an airport outside China with a Chinese airline, this rule does not apply and you will need a visa.

Apply for a visa at least 10 days before departure.

Transit within 72 hours without a visa

The 72-hour visa-free transit applies in the following cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian and Shenyang
Have you booked a flight ticket showing that you will be travelling on to another city within 72 hours? You cannot fly back to the country from which you arrived
You are not permitted to leave the city where you landed whilst in transit
Make sure you have registered with the Public Security Bureau within 24 hours

An example of a 72-hour transit that does not require a visa: Amsterdam – Beijing – Sydney

A visa is required for China

The 72-hour visa-free regime does not apply if your flight passes through more than one Chinese airport or through an airport other than those mentioned above. In this case, you will need a visa. If you are staying for longer than 72 hours and/or visiting several cities in China, you will always need a visa. If you do not have a valid visa, there is a chance that you will not be allowed to board the flight.

Example of an itinerary requiring a visa: Amsterdam – Beijing – Guangzhou – Sydney

Hong Kong

No visa is required for Hong Kong. If you are travelling from Hong Kong to other cities in China, you will need a visa.

Is there a mandatory quarantine for people arriving in China?

Due to the coronavirus, a mandatory 14-day quarantine applies to all travellers arriving in the country.

Where can I apply for a visa to travel to China?

If you are planning a trip to China and need a visa, please contact the Chinese Embassy in Lithuania.

How long must my passport be valid for when travelling to China?

To enter China, you must hold a valid passport, which must remain valid for at least six months beyond the end of your intended stay.

Is it possible to withdraw cash whilst travelling in China?

The local currency in China is the Chinese renminbi yuan. Cards issued by banks operating in Lithuania are generally accepted at ATMs of major Chinese banks for cash withdrawals (a commission fee applies). Before withdrawing cash, it is advisable to inform your bank in Lithuania that the card will be used in China, as the bank may block the card if you do not notify them.

Are you travelling to or through the US? If so, you must apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) before you leave. Please note that if you are transiting through the United States but your final destination is outside the US, you must still apply for an ESTA. It is recommended that you apply for an ESTA immediately after booking your trip. Due to stricter checks, applications are no longer approved immediately. You cannot apply for an ESTA less than 72 hours before departure.

Apply for an ESTA via the official ESTA website. Please note that you can only pay by credit card or via PayPal when using this website.

Do I need a visa to travel to the US?

Citizens of the Republic of Lithuania travelling to the US for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days may use the US Travel Facilitation Programme, which allows them to travel to the US without a visa.

What is ESTA?

ESTA stands for the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation. Under an agreement between the US and Lithuania, Lithuanian citizens may travel to the US under a simplified procedure. However, instead of a visa, you must obtain ESTA authorisation.

Is it possible to stay in the US for longer than 90 days with an ESTA authorisation?

Individuals who remain in the US for longer than 90 days with an ESTA authorisation are in breach of the country’s entry regulations and may have their right to travel to the US restricted in future, or they may be removed from the country.

Will my driving licence, issued in Lithuania, be valid in the US?

Each US state decides individually which countries’ driving licences to recognise. You can find out whether your driving licence will be valid in the state you plan to visit here.

You will need a visa when travelling to some countries outside Europe. For the latest information, check the website of the embassy of the country you are visiting or the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Do I need a visa to fly to China?

Yes. You’ll also need your passport to be valid for a further 6 months after your planned return.

Do I need a visa to fly to Australia?

Yes, you’ll need an e-visa, which is valid for up to 90 days.

Do I need a visa to fly to Canada?

No. However, you do need an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) to travel to Canada.

Do I need a visa to fly to the US?

No. However, when travelling to the US, you must have an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA).

You can travel to most European countries with an identity card. You can find a list of these countries on the European Union’s website. You should also take into account the rules on the maximum validity period of your passport. Each country has its own rules on this. You can find out more from the embassy of the country you are travelling to.

From 1 October 2019, citizens of the Republic of Lithuania travelling to New Zealand must obtain a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorisation (NZeTA). This authorisation is valid for 3 months. A visa is required for stays longer than 3 months. The visa is valid for two years. For more information about the NZeTA, please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

It takes about 10 minutes to apply for the authorisation. You must apply for an NZeTA before travelling. Approval may take up to 72 hours. If you do not have an NZeTA or it has not yet been approved, you will not be able to board your flight.

When travelling to or through Canada, you must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA).

Please note: you will also need an eTA if you are simply transiting through Canada. Apply for an eTA via the official eTA website. Please note that you can only pay by credit card or via PayPal if you are using this website.

Are you travelling to or through the UK? If so, you must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before you leave. Please note that an ETA is mandatory for all travellers who do not require a visa, including Lithuanian citizens. Without this authorisation, you may be denied boarding or entry to the country. Even if you are flying via the United Kingdom, an ETA may also be required.

It is recommended that you apply for an ETA immediately after booking your trip. Due to security checks, the application process may take some time, so you should not leave it until the last minute.

Apply for an ETA via the official UK government website or mobile app. Please note that payment is usually made by debit or credit card.

Do I need a visa to travel to the UK?

Citizens of the Republic of Lithuania travelling for short stays (up to 6 months) do not require a visa. However, an ETA authorisation is mandatory in place of a visa.

What is an ETA?

An ETA is an electronic travel authorisation for travellers from countries not subject to visa requirements. It is not a visa, but you cannot travel without it.

Who can travel without an ETA?

An ETA is not required only for those who:

hold a valid UK visa
hold a residence permit (e.g. settled or pre-settled status)

For all other visa-exempt travellers, an ETA is mandatory.

Is it possible to stay longer than permitted with an ETA?

Anyone who exceeds the permitted length of stay is breaching immigration rules. This may result in a ban on future entry to the UK or other legal consequences.

Will my driving licence issued in Lithuania be valid in the UK?

A driving licence issued in Lithuania is usually valid for short-term visits. However, if you plan to stay for a longer period, you may need to exchange it for a UK driving licence. It is advisable to check the applicable rules in advance before travelling.