Who is exempt from China arrival card filing? Holders of the PRC Foreigner Permanent Resident ID Card, holders of approved specialised entry certificates, and passengers transiting directly within 24 hours without leaving the restricted area of the port. Visa-free tourists still file. The National Immigration Administration (NIA) sets the rules.
This independent guide isn’t a government site. It charges nothing and files nothing for you, so confirm details on the NIA portal before you fly.
Who Is Exempt from China Arrival Card?
The table lists the exemption categories confirmed by sources. On 20 November 2025 the NIA introduced free online filing of the arrival card to simplify border procedures. It sits beside the paper arrival card, a long blue or yellow form that remains available at ports of entry. For the broader picture of entry requirements and border clearance, see our complete guide to the China arrival card.
| # | Category | Document |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PRC Foreigner Permanent Resident ID Card holders | The card and passport |
| 2 | Holders of approved specialised entry certificates | Certificate or approval document |
| 3 | Direct transit passengers within 24 hours | Passport; stay within the restricted area of the port |
Which row fits you? Your documented status decides it, so check the current rules on the NIA portal before you travel.
Visa-Free Entry Isn’t Card-Free
A visa waiver removes the visa, not the entry card.
| Traveller | Visa needed? | Card needed? |
|---|---|---|
| 30-day visa-free entry | No | Yes, standard card |
| 240-hour transit | No | Yes, temporary entry card |
| Direct 24-hour airside transit | No | No |
The 240-hour transit scheme has been extended to Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam under an NIA announcement; check the NIA portal for the current list of eligible countries and ports. You fill in the arrival card on arrival. The scheme requires a passport valid for three months and an onward ticket to a third country. Our guide to transit passengers and the arrival card explains the airside versus 240-hour distinction in detail, and we cover why a 30-day visa-free waiver still needs a declaration separately.
Leave the restricted area at Beijing Capital for a landside hotel during a 10-hour layover? You lose the 24-hour exemption, and you then need a temporary entry permit. Location counts, not duration. For the steps at this port specifically, see the Beijing Capital Airport arrival card procedure.
Write VISA-FREE in capitals in the visa number field. For Address in China, give your first hotel’s name and city, such as Grand Hyatt Beijing.
Documents to Show at Border Control
Carry a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of entry. Our checklist of documents required to fill the China arrival card covers passport, flight and scan rules in full.
- Check your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of entry.
Not exempt? File free of charge at the NIA’s online arrival card page, s.nia.gov.cn, through the NIA 12367 app, or via WeChat and Alipay mini-programs.
Who Is Exempt from China Arrival Card: Mistakes
- Visa-free entry does not remove the arrival card requirement, so don’t assume a waiver covers you. File the standard card.
- Leaving the restricted area ends the 24-hour exemption, and you then need a temporary entry permit.
- Using a fake filing site costs money. The NIA warns the service is free and fraudulent sites exist; our article on China arrival card scam websites shows how to spot copycat portals.
Providing false information at entry can lead to an entry ban.
Rules That Still Apply to Exempt Travellers
Skipping the card doesn’t remove the accommodation registration duty: foreign nationals staying in China must register within 24 hours of entry. Hotels usually handle it, while with private accommodation you must register at the local police station yourself. See our comparison of the arrival card and hotel temporary residence registration for what you must do within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is exempt from China arrival card requirements?
Exemptions apply to holders of the PRC Foreigner Permanent Resident ID Card, holders of approved specialised entry certificates, and passengers transiting directly within 24 hours without leaving the restricted area of the port. The table above shows each category’s document.
Who is exempt from China arrival card on a layover?
You’re exempt if you stay in the restricted area of the port and continue to a third country within 24 hours. Walk out to a hotel or the city, and you’re not. You then need a temporary entry permit instead.
Do permanent resident cardholders need an arrival card?
No. Holders of the PRC Foreigner Permanent Resident ID Card are exempt from completing the arrival card, so you don’t need to file it online or on paper.
Do visa-free travellers still need to file?
Yes. Visa-free entry does not remove the arrival card, including under the 30-day scheme. You can file it online before you travel through NIA’s channels, or fill in the paper card at the port.
Do APEC Business Travel Card holders skip the card?
The APEC Business Travel Card gives visa-free entry, but there’s no confirmed exemption from the arrival card, so check the current rules on the NIA portal before you travel.
Do Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan residents need it?
There’s no confirmed exemption from the arrival card for Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan permit holders, so check the current rules on the NIA portal before you travel.
Does an exemption cover accommodation registration?
No. Foreign nationals staying in China must register within 24 hours of entry. Hotels usually register guests automatically, while with private accommodation you must register at the local police station yourself. The card and the registration are separate rules.
Where can I check current rules?
For filing, use the NIA’s online arrival card page at s.nia.gov.cn; filing is free, and the NIA warns that counterfeit sites have charged fees. The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also published an announcement on China’s digital arrival card.
Sources and Further Reading
- National Immigration Administration: rules and visa-free transit policies.
- NIA fraud warning: fake arrival card websites.
- Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs: digital arrival card announcement.
Rules can change, so check the NIA portal before you travel.
