A tourist visa, issued by some countries specifically to foreign visitors, is one of the many kinds of visas. The tourist visa is characterized by a short duration of stay, usually 30 days, no more than 90 days, and can not be extended upon expiration. A foreigner staying in a country with a tourist visa is not allowed to engage in employment or other activities beyond the capacity as a tourist. Tourist group visa, a kind of tourist visa, is not stamped on the passports, and the group members must enter and exit the border together.

The Chinese government issues Visa L to foreign tourists who come to China for sightseeing and to visit relatives. It also issues tourist group visa when necessary.

From Nov. 15th 2000, aliens traveling to Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions (SAR) in tour groups organized by travel agencies registered in the above-mentioned SARs are exempted from visa requirements for a period of not exceeding 6 days when entering into the following Chinese mainland cities: Guangzhong, Shenzhen, zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jinangmen, Zhaoqing, Huizhou, etc. The premise is that the traveler shall have the citizenship of a country having diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China and holding an ordinary passport.