Online Arrival Card
From November 20, 2025, foreign nationals entering mainland of China may fill their arrival cards form online in advance.
Before coming to China, foreign nationals may fill in the relevant entry information online through NIA's official website, government service platform, "NIA 12367" App or WeChat (Alipay) mini-program, or by scanning the QR code on the Arrival Cards with mobile phones.
Any foreigner who cannot fill in the information online in advance may complete the process upon arriving at the immigration inspection site of a port of China, by scanning the designated QR code with a mobile phone, using a smart device to fill in the entry information online, or simply filling in a paper Arrival Card.
Foreign nationals in the following 7 situations are exempt from completing the declaration:
Holders of a Permanent Resident Identity Card for Foreigners in the People's Republic of China;
Holders of a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (non-Chinese nationals);
Holders of a group visa or those eligible for group visa-free entry;
Those transiting directly within 24 hours without leaving the designated port area;
Those entering and exiting via cruise ships and returning on the same vessel;
Those entering through the expedited channel;
Foreign employees of transportation vehicles for entry and exit.
Conditions for the 240-Hour
Transit Visa Exemption Policy
Citizens of 55 countries eligible for the visa-free transit policy:
European countries (40): Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Norway;
Americas (6): United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile;
Oceania (2): Australia, New Zealand;
Asia (7): South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia.Holders must present a valid international travel document with at least three months remaining validity and meet entry requirements for the third country (region).
Holders must present a confirmed through ticket or relevant proof for travel to a third country (region) within 240 hours, complete a Temporary Entry Card for Foreigners, and undergo inspection and questioning by immigration authorities.
Foreign nationals meeting the above requirements may apply at immigration authorities at any of China's 65 designated ports of entry in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, and other locations. Immigration authorities will process temporary entry procedures, with the visa-free stay period commencing at 00:00 hours on the day following entry. Those covered by mutual visa exemption agreements with China or China's unilateral visa exemption policies may follow the provisions of those agreements.
Source: News_National Immigration administration
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