Tourist (L) visa: Nigerian citizen in United States → China
Nigerian citizens living in the United States need a Tourist (L) visa to visit China — complete the online COVA application, then submit your passport at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center or Chinese embassy/consulate with jurisdiction over where you live in the United States.
China Tourist (L) visa for short visits for tourism. Apply online via COVA, then submit your passport at a Chinese Visa Application Service Center or embassy/consulate.
- Validity
- Set by the issuing consulate under reciprocity — confirm the validity period (the window during which you may enter China) on your Chinese consulate's page; there is no fixed published figure for this nationality.
- Entries
- Single, double or multiple entry (decided by the consulate)
- Max stay per visit
- Commonly up to 30 days per entry for an L visa — confirm on the official source
When to start
Start 7–30 days before your travel date.
The Tourist (L) visa is issued to those going to China for tourism.
Your passport must be valid 6+ months with at least 2 blank visa pages.
Log in to the New COVA system, fill in the forms and upload your materials for preliminary review.
Submit your passport and the barcoded application info-page to the Chinese Visa Application Service Center or visa office.
Regular service takes about 4 business days (express service 3 business days).
What you'll need
- Valid passport — Passport valid more than 6 months with at least 2 blank visa pages. ✓ verified
- COVA application form — The online COVA application form, completed with materials uploaded for preliminary review, then printed with the barcode info-page. ✓ verified
- Application info-page (with barcode) — After COVA preliminary review, submit your passport and the printed application info-page with barcode to the Visa Office. ✓ verified
Where you'll apply
Apply at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) or Chinese embassy/consulate with jurisdiction over where you live in the United States; complete the COVA form online first.
Fees
| Tourist (L) visa | varies |
Gotchas to watch
- Apply through the official COVA system and the authorised Chinese Visa Application Service Center — not lookalike sites.
- Check whether your nationality now qualifies for visa-free entry or the 240-hour visa-free transit before applying for an L visa.
- A visa is permission to travel, not a guarantee of entry — the border officer decides on arrival.