Travel Permit RulesIn forceOfficial ✓ Partly verified
Launched 20 Nov 2025; paper cards still available. UK etc. have 30-day visa-free entry until 31 Dec 2026 (FCDO)
Type: arrival card · Last checked 2026-10-21
Apply on the official site: s.nia.gov.cn →
or NIA 12367 app, WeChat/Alipay mini-programs
Link confirmed official ✓⚠ Scam warning
Only apply on the official site: s.nia.gov.cn. Copycat sites charge extra or steal your data.
NIA (5 Dec 2025): overseas fraudsters run counterfeit arrival-card sites charging fees; service is free
Key facts
- Who needs itOfficial ✓
- Foreigners entering mainland China (pre-fill optional; can do on arrival)
- Who is exemptOfficial (snippet)
- PR card holders, group-visa, some transit, e-channel users, crew (embassy notice - snippet)
- FeeOfficial ✓
- free
- Approx. USD
- Free
- ValidityNot separately checked
- per trip
- Max stay per visitNot separately checked
- n/a (UK visa-free 30 days until 31 Dec 2026)
- Processing timeNot separately checked
- instant
- When to applyNot separately checked
- before travel or on arrival
Badges: Official ✓ = read on an official government page · Official (snippet) = official page text seen in a search result because the page blocked our checker · Not confirmed = we could not confirm it, so check the official site.
Do I need it? Quick check by passport
- United States: Needed
- United Kingdom: Needed
- EU country: Needed
- Canada: Needed
- Australia: Needed
A starting point only, based on the official pages below. Dual nationals, residents and other passports: check the official site.
Official sources
UK FCDO travel advice (official UK govt, British-citizen view): https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china/entry-requirements
What the sources say
- scam+feehttps://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147463/c191530/content.html
overseas fraudsters have been defrauding travelers of fees by setting up counterfeit websites posing as China's official platform for arrival card filling. NIA hereby warns that the online arrival card filling ... is free of charge.
- visa-freehttps://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china/entry-requirements
Until 31 December 2026, you can enter China visa free for stays of up to 30 days
Last checked 2026-10-21. Rules change: always confirm on the official site before you travel.
Get permit changes by email
A short email when an ETA, e-visa or arrival-card rule changes.