Starting November 20, 2025, foreign travelers, with or without a visa, will be able to fill out their entry information online through several official platforms, including the National Immigration Administration (NIA) website, on a PC or smartphone, as well as via the “NIA 12367” app or the WeChat (Alipay) mini program.
Travelers who are unable to complete the procedure before arriving in China will still be able to do so upon arrival, either at self-service kiosks or by scanning a QR code. Paper forms will remain available during a transitional period.
Exemptions from the digital arrival card for certain traveler categories
Filling out the digital arrival card for China from a PC The NIA has specified that seven categories of foreign nationals will be exempt from completing the “Arrival Card.”
These include:
• holders of a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card in China;
• non-Chinese citizens with a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao;
• group travelers, whether they hold a collective visa or qualify for visa-free entry;
• transit passengers who remain within the designated port area;
• cruise passengers entering and departing on the same vessel;
• travelers using fast-track entry lanes;
• and foreign empolees of exit-entry transport vehicles.