While India has recently extended to 120 days the period during which the 30-day e-Tourist Visa may be used to enter the country, Indian authorities have now announced a revision of the fees applicable to certain categories of electronic visas (e-Visas)…

This sequence may come as a surprise: at the very moment New Delhi is easing entry conditions to facilitate travel, it is simultaneously strengthening the pricing component of its visa system for longer-term or business-related visas.

A significant increase for the e-Business Visa

Among the most notable changes is the increase in the fee for the one-year business eVisa.

Previously priced at US$80, the updated visa fee schedule now shows this visa being offered at a standard rate of US$120.

Depending on the applicant’s nationality, however, the fee may be significantly higher:

• New Zealand: US$130
• Ukraine: US$130
• United States: US$140
• Poland: US$145
• France: US$165
• Czech Republic: US$190
• Thailand: US$200
• Australia: US$215
• Saudi Arabia: US$215
• Philippines: US$220
• Ecuador: US$240
• United Kingdom: US$242
• United Arab Emirates: US$415

These differences reflect a differentiated pricing structure, apparently based on bilateral agreements and/or reciprocity principles.

The five-year e-Tourist Visa also affected

The five-year tourist eVisa is likewise subject to this revision.

Under the new tourist visa fee schedule, its cost increases from US$80 to a standard rate of US$200.

Some nationalities, however, remain subject to substantially higher fees, particularly citizens of the United Kingdom and certain associated territories such as Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man, for whom the price now reaches US$484.

Visa categories remaining unchanged

By contrast, several categories of Indian electronic visas are not affected by any fee changes.

Fees remain unchanged for the following:

• 30-day e-Tourist Visa
• 1-year e-Tourist Visa
• e-Conference Visa
• e-Medical Visa (and e-Medical Attendent eVisa)
• e-Ayush Visa (and e-Ayush Attendent eVisa)

South Korea’s official Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) application portal (www.k-eta.go.kr) published a notice yesterday confirming a one-year extension of the temporary K-ETA exemption for many visa-exempt travelers.

This decision, made by South Korea’s Ministry of Justice and first mentioned last September, aims to support the country’s tourism industry, which has been severely impacted in recent years.

“The Ministry of Justice decided to extend the temporary exemption period for 1 more year to stimulate the tourism industry, the exemption will be effective until December 31, 2026 (KST),” the announcement states.

The extension applies to all countries and regions currently exempt from the K-ETA requirement. Eligible travelers will see an informational message when scanning the identity page of their passport on the application portal.

Who is covered by the K-ETA exemption?

The extension applies exclusively to nationals of countries that are already exempt from the K-ETA requirement. These travelers may continue to enter South Korea without submitting a prior application for as long as the exemption remains in effect.

No additional steps are required to benefit from this exemption, provided travelers meet South Korea’s standard entry requirements.

Nationals of the following 67 countries and territories will be able to continue traveling to South Korea in 2026 without applying for a K-ETA:

K-ETA: Optional, but useful for some travelers

However, the authorities specify that exempt travelers may still choose to apply for a K-ETA, in particular to benefit from certain advantages, such as exemption from presenting the e-Arrival Card upon entry into the country.

In such cases, the K-ETA application remains subject to an administrative fee of 10,000 ₩ (approximately US$8), which is non-refundable. Any K-ETA already issued remains valid until its expiration date, regardless of the exemption period currently in effect.

Following the recent extension, through December 31, 2026, of its unilateral 30-day visa-free policy for nationals of 45 countries, China has confirmed additional relaxations of its entry requirements.

In a recent announcement, the Consular Affairs Department of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the exemption from fingerprint collection for short-term Chinese visa applications has been extended through December 31, 2026.

“To further facilitate the procedure of applying Chinese visa, starting from Dec 17 2025 until Dec 31 2026, fingerprints collection will be exempted for eligible applicants who apply for short-term visas with a stay period of 180 days or less,” the Department said.

The exemption applies to short-stay visas issued for tourism, business, family visits, or transit purposes, provided the length of stay does not exceed 180 days. Unlike the previous measure, which applied only to single-entry and double-entry visas, the waiver now also covers multiple-entry visas.

The ministry nonetheless emphasized that certain visa categories remain excluded from this policy.

Applicants for D, J1, Q1, S1, X1, and Z visas, which involve long-term residence in China and require obtaining a residence permit after entry, will still be required to provide fingerprints, in accordance with current regulations.

A policy of gradual easing over several years

In the days following the announcement, numerous Chinese embassies and visa centers worldwide relayed the information in their own notices, confirming the practical implementation of the measure at the local level.

This includes several diplomatic missions in Europe (Belgium, Sweden, Malta, Northern Ireland,…), Asia (the Philippines, Hong Kong,…), North America (Canada), as well as in Africa, the Middle East, and Oceania (South Africa, Algeria, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Australia,…). These offices specified that the exemption applies at the time of application submission, with no biometric appointment required for eligible applicants.

Fingerprint collection was introduced in 2019 for most Chinese visa applicants between the ages of 14 and 70, as part of a broader strengthening of biometric procedures for foreign nationals.

However, in the context of the recovery of international travel following the pandemic, Chinese authorities have gradually eased this requirement. An initial temporary exemption was implemented from August 10, 2023, to December 31, 2023, for certain categories of short-term visas.

Shortly before its expiration, the measure was first extended through December 31, 2024, then extended again through December 31, 2025, alongside an expansion of eligibility to additional applicants.

The newly announced extension through December 31, 2026, therefore follows this trajectory, reaffirming the Chinese authorities’ intention to maintain simplified procedures for short-term stays while continuing to require biometric data for long-term visas.

Since early December 2025, clashes between Cambodian and Thai forces have intensified along their shared border, marking a renewed outbreak of hostilities following a ceasefire agreement reached in October.

The violence has involved artillery exchanges, air strikes, and shelling, resulting in dozens of deaths, hundreds of injuries, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians on both sides of the border.

The United Nations, ASEAN member states, and other international actors have voiced concern over this escalation, calling for restraint and a swift return to dialogue.

New negotiations aimed at achieving a more durable ceasefire are scheduled, while Phnom Penh has called on Bangkok to hold the talks in a “safe and neutral” location to ensure the security of the discussions.

This deterioration of the regional security environment is also reflected in administrative measures governing cross-border travel. Since August 2025, foreign tourists holding an electronic visa (e-Visa) have no longer been permitted to enter Cambodia from Thailand via the land border crossings of Cham Yeam (Koh Kong Province) and Poipet (Banteay Meanchey Province).

A diplomatic advisory for travelers transiting through Bangkok

On December 16, the Royal Embassy of Cambodia in France issued a “Travel advisory for travelers to Cambodia transiting through Bangkok (Thailand)”, intended to inform travelers that “difficulties have on occasion been reported during air transit at Bangkok Airport (Thailand).”

The embassy reports that some “European passengers in transit have been subjected to excessive and unacceptable checks,” outlining practices that may affect travel preparations.

According to the diplomatic mission, these include “prolonged interrogations prior to boarding,” as well as “unreasonable requests for proof of financial resources” and “detailed verification of accommodation reservations in Cambodia.”

Baggage-related incidents and their impact upon arrival

Beyond administrative checks, the advisory also highlights problems related to baggage handling, noting that “in some cases, these controls have been followed by incidents related to searches and baggage handling, resulting notably in the loss of checked luggage, which has been observed upon arrival in Phnom Penh.”

In response to these findings, the embassy issues a clear recommendation: “as a precautionary measure, travelers are strongly advised to favor travel itineraries that do not include transit through Thailand.” The statement further encourages travelers to consider “alternative airlines offering more appropriate and favorable transit conditions for travel to the Kingdom of Cambodia,” signaling a strategic preference for avoiding transit points likely to generate additional difficulties.

The advisory nevertheless concludes on a reassuring note, emphasizing that despite the situations described, which occur outside Cambodian territory, “the Kingdom of Cambodia remains a safe and welcoming destination.”

Until recently, India’s 30-day tourist e-Visa imposed a strict constraint on travelers: applications could only be submitted within 30 days prior to arrival in India.

As of Thursday, December 18, this validity window has been extended to four months. The official Indian e-Visa portal, indianvisaonline.gov.in, now allows applicants to enter an arrival date within 120 days.

This change applies only to Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETAs) approved from that date onward and is therefore not retroactive. It allows travelers to plan and complete their administrative formalities earlier, while maintaining the same conditions as the short-term tourist visa. The measure is particularly welcomed by international tourists who organize their trips well in advance.

For travelers wishing to stay longer in India, the one-year tourist e-Visa remains an alternative. It allows stays of up to 90 consecutive days and can also be applied for within 120 days prior to arrival.

First land entry point now authorized with an e-Visa: Raxaul

Another notable development is the expansion of authorized entry points for e-Visa holders. Since its introduction, India’s e-Visa program allowed first entry only by air or sea, through 32 international airports and 6 seaports.

Indian authorities have now added the first land border crossing to this list: Raxaul, located on the India–Nepal border.

This decision facilitates regional travel, particularly for visitors moving within South Asia who wish to enter India by land without applying for a traditional visa through an embassy or consulate.

As of today, entry into India with an e-Visa is permitted through the following points of entry:

International Airports:

• Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Calicut, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa (Dabolim), Goa (Mopa), Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kannur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Port Blair, Pune, Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, Trichy, Varanasi, and Visakhapatnam.

Seaports:

• Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Mangalore, Mumbai, and Port Blair.

Land Border:

• Raxaul.

Once the first entry has been completed using the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) and the e-Visa entry stamp has been placed in the passport, any subsequent entries into India may be made through all Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) across the country.

Rapid expansion of India’s e-Visa categories

Alongside these adjustments, India continues to expand the range of visa categories available online.

Prior to 2025, the e-Visa system included the following types:

• e-Tourist Visa
• e-Business Visa
• e-Conference Visa
• e-Medical Visa
• e-Medical Attendant Visa
• e-Ayush Visa
• e-Ayush Attendant Visa

In January 2025, Indian authorities introduced two new categories: the e-Student Visa and the e-Student Dependent Visa. In recent weeks, additional categories have been launched to address more specialized needs:

• e-Transit Visa
• e-Mountaineering Visa
• e-Film Visa
• e-Entry Visa
• e-Production Investment Visa

This diversification reflects India’s commitment to further digitizing its immigration procedures and tailoring its visa offerings to a wide range of purposes, including transit, specialized tourism, education, audiovisual production, and investment.

India recently launched the e-Arrival Card

As part of its ongoing modernization of entry procedures, India has also introduced the e-Arrival Card, a digital arrival form for foreign travelers.

Effective October 1, 2025, this new system allows travelers to submit arrival information online, with the aim of streamlining border formalities and reducing paper usage.

The e-Arrival Card can be completed up to 72 hours prior to arrival via the official platform at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival. It currently operates alongside the traditional paper arrival card, which will remain in use during a transitional period of up to six months.

Indian authorities emphasize that the digital arrival card does not replace a visa, whether electronic or traditional, but serves solely as a declarative arrival form and does not constitute authorization to enter the country.

Introduced in early 2023, the 30-day visa exemption allows citizens of 34 countries to travel freely to Mongolia for tourism. This measure, designed to support a major national tourism promotion campaign, is set to expire on December 31, 2025.

The countries eligible for Mongolia’s 30-day tourist visa exemption are:

• Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

So far, no official announcement has confirmed whether this exemption will continue or end in 2026, leaving travelers in a state of uncertainty.

A policy tied to the “Years to Visit Mongolia” initiative

The visa exemption was introduced as part of the “Years to Visit Mongolia” initiative launched in 2023 to boost the country’s tourism industry.

Originally planned as a three-year program ending in 2025, the initiative has since been officially extended by Mongolian authorities through 2028. The goal is to promote year-round tourism and increase the country’s international appeal. This extension suggests that the visa exemption could potentially be prolonged through 2028 as well.

However, despite the expanded strategic framework, no announcement has confirmed that the 30-day visa waiver will follow the same timeline.

As travelers await a definitive decision, many are trying to get clarification, but the answers remain vague.

On travel forums, multiple users report receiving inconsistent information from Mongolian embassies regarding the future of the exemption. Some diplomatic offices suggest a possible extension through 2028, others advise waiting for an official announcement, while a few indicate that the exemption is still expected to end in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Mongolia’s official e-Visa portal, evisa.mn, still lists these 34 countries as visa-exempt and therefore does not allow their citizens to submit an electronic visa application.

These inconsistencies add to the confusion, highlighting the need for unified, up-to-date communication to avoid unpleasant surprises as 2026 approaches.

A booming Mongolian tourism sector

One reason Mongolia may consider extending its travel-friendly policies is that the results have been overwhelmingly positive.

According to the latest data published by the Mongolian Tourism Organization, the country has recorded 810,389 international visitors since the beginning of the year, setting a new all-time record. This figure clearly surpasses the previous peak reached in December 2024.

This growth confirms the rising global interest in Mongolia and underscores tourism’s strategic role in the national economy. In a country whose development still relies heavily on mineral exports, economic diversification has become a priority. Tourism is now seen as a key pillar for strengthening Mongolia’s competitiveness in a highly competitive international environment.

The Mongolian government has set an ambitious goal: attracting 2 million foreign visitors by 2028, under the official slogan “Go MonGOlia.”

Although the extension of the “Years to Visit Mongolia” program creates hope that traveler-friendly measures will continue, nothing is guaranteed at this stage. Anyone planning a trip in 2026 should remain cautious and wait for the official clarification eagerly anticipated by both travelers and tourism professionals.

Held this week in New Delhi, CII India Edge 2025 brought together numerous public and private stakeholders to discuss the challenges of competitiveness and the transformation of the Indian economy.

As part of the event, a session titled “Unlocking the Growth and Employment Potential of Tourism” took place yesterday, during which Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, India’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, shared a comprehensive analysis of the tourism sector’s strategic role in national development, framing it within the vision of India becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Addressing hospitality representatives, industry leaders, and institutional partners, the minister emphasized that enhancing the traveler experience is now central to supporting the country’s transformation.

He noted that tourism is increasingly recognized as a strategic pillar of growth, expected to contribute around 10% of India’s GDP, up from the current 5–6%.

In this context, easier access to the country has become a key lever for growth, prompting the government to introduce new measures on visa facilitation.

Towards a visa-on-arrival in India applied on a reciprocal basis

The minister confirmed that the government is working on a visa-on-arrival scheme that would apply on the basis of reciprocity, limited to citizens of countries that already offer the same benefit to Indian nationals.

“On a reciprocal basis, we are exploring how to grant a visa on arrival to citizens of countries that already offer it to Indians,” said Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

Currently, India provides visa-on-arrival facilities to citizens of Japan, South Korea, the Maldives, and the United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile, Indian travelers themselves can obtain visas on arrival in more than 35 countries, including popular destinations across Asia and beyond such as Thailand, the Maldives, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Iran, and several nations in Africa and Oceania.

Although no specific timeline or country list has yet been announced, the minister described this move as an essential step to maintain India’s competitiveness against regional destinations that strongly emphasize ease of entry.

According to Shekhawat, such a mechanism would help bring India in line with global tourism standards.

A widely used e-Visa system that still needs refinement

Shekhawat also pointed out that most international visitors already no longer need to visit an Indian diplomatic mission to obtain a visa, as they can now secure electronic travel authorization (ETA) with just a few clicks.

“A few days ago, a foreign delegation met with me, and everyone acknowledged that India’s new visa regime, especially the way we’ve developed the e-Visa, means that today, in most countries, no one needs to go to an embassy in person to get a visa for India,” the minister said.

Explaining that the Indian visa was “available as an e-Visa, and within 72 hours, if you apply from your phone, the e-Visa is ready,” Shekhawat nevertheless acknowledged that the current e-Visa application form was still too long and assured that the government was actively working to optimize it.

“We’re working to make the form even simpler, to reduce the number of pages and make it more user-friendly,” he added.

As part of this broader simplification effort, India has also introduced the digital “e-Arrival Card”, designed to gradually replace the paper forms currently filled out at airports. The digital version aims to speed up entry procedures and streamline immigration checks for international travelers.

These initiatives are intended to align India with global destinations that prioritize speed, clarity, and administrative ease, in what the minister described as a context of “intense global competition.”

Easier access as an economic imperative

Shekhawat also highlighted the economic benefits of a stronger tourism sector: one rupee invested can produce “a multiplier effect of 3.5 times”, and tourism is set to become “the largest generator of jobs after agriculture” in India, according to him.

He stressed that perceived safety and administrative simplicity play a decisive role in how international visitors choose their destinations.

In this perspective, a streamlined e-Visa and a reciprocal visa-on-arrival system represent two cornerstones of the same strategy:
to make India more accessible, more competitive, and more attractive, as the government aims to scale up its tourism ambitions on a global level.

Vietnam has announced a major expansion of the network of border checkpoints authorized to welcome travelers holding an electronic visa, bringing the total number of international access points to 83.

The decision, made official through Resolution No. 389/NQ-CP published on December 2, 2025, aims to facilitate the entry of foreign visitors and support the country’s national tourism-opening strategy.

In its resolution, the Vietnamese government decided to add 41 new international checkpoints to the list of locations allowing entry to—and exit from—the country upon presentation of an electronic visa (e-Visa).

This measure expands the system implemented since 2023 and seeks to improve the country’s accessibility, particularly through new airports, strategic land crossings along the borders with China, Laos, and Cambodia, as well as a significant number of seaports.

Vietnam: the 41 new entry points eligible for e-Visa holders

I. International airports

1. Long Thành International Airport (applicable once the airport is operational)
2. Gia Bình International Airport (applicable once the airport is operational)
3. Vinh International Airport
4. Chu Lai International Airport

II. Land border checkpoints

1. Dong Dang (railway), Lang Son Province (border with China)
2. Lao Cai (railway), Lao Cai Province (border with China)
3. Tra Linh, Cao Bang Province (border with China)
4. Long Sap, Son La Province (border with Laos)
5. Nam Giang, Da Nang City (border with Laos)
6. Le Thanh, Gia Lai Province (border with Cambodia)
7. Binh Hiep, Tay Ninh Province (border with Cambodia)
8. Thuong Phuoc (road/waterway), Dong Thap Province (border with Cambodia)
9. Dinh Bà, Dong Thap Province (border with Cambodia)
10. Tân Nam, Tây Ninh Province (border with Cambodia)
11. Thanh Thủy, Tuyên Quang Province (border with China)

III. Ports and maritime border checkpoints

1. Vạn Gia, Quảng Ninh Province
2. Diêm Điền, Hưng Yên Province
3. Hải Thịnh, Ninh Bình Province
4. Ninh Bình Border Port
5. Cửa Lò – Bến Thủy, Nghệ An Province
6. Sơn Dương, Hà Tĩnh Province
7. Gianh, Quảng Trị Province
8. Hòn La, Quảng Trị Province
9. Cua Viet, Quảng Trị Province
10. Thuận An, Huế City
11. Ky Ha, Da Nang City
12. Sa Ky, Quang Ngai Province
13. Vung Ro, Dak Lak Province
14. Cà Ná, Khánh Hòa Province
15. Ninh Chữ, Khánh Hòa Province
16. Phú Quý, Lâm Đồng Province
17. Liên Hương, Lâm Đồng Province
18. Bến Lức, Tây Ninh Province
19. Đồng Tháp Port, Đồng Tháp Province
20. Soài Rạp – Hiệp Phước, Đồng Tháp Province
21. Mỹ Thới, An Giang Province
22. Hòn Chông, An Giang Province
23. An Thới, An Giang Province
24. Trường Long Hòa, Vĩnh Long Province
25. Giao Long, Vinh Long Province
26. Nam Can, Ca Mau Province

Entry points already eligible before this expansion

Before the adoption of this measure, travelers holding an electronic visa could already enter and exit Vietnam through the following 42 international checkpoints:

13 international airports:

1. Nội Bài International Airport (Hanoi)
2. Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City)
3. Cam Ranh International Airport (Nha Trang)
4. Đà Nẵng International Airport
5. Cát Bi International Airport (Hai Phong)
6. Cần Thơ International Airport
7. Phú Quốc International Airport
8. Phú Bài International Airport (Hue)
9. Vân Đồn International Airport
10. Thọ Xuân Airport (Thanh Hóa)
11. Đồng Hới Airport
12. Phù Cát International Airport
13. Liên Khương International Airport

16 land border checkpoints:

1. Tây Trang (border with Laos)
2. Móng Cái (border with China)
3. Hữu Nghị (border with China)
4. Lào Cai (border with China)
5. Nà Mèo (border with Laos)
6. Nậm Cắn (border with Laos)
7. Cầu Treo (border with Laos)
8. Cha Lo (border with Laos)
9. La Lay (border with Laos)
10. Lao Bảo (border with Laos)
11. Bờ Y (border with Laos)
12. Mộc Bài (border with Cambodia)
13. Xa Mát (border with Cambodia)
14. Tịnh Biên (border with Cambodia)
15. Vĩnh Xương (border with Cambodia)
16. Hà Tiên (border with Cambodia)

13 seaports:

1. Ho Chi Minh City
2. Hòn Gai
3. Cẩm Phả
4. Hải Phòng
5. Nghi Sơn
6. Vũng Áng
7. Chân Mây
8. Đà Nẵng
9. Nha Trang
10. Quy Nhon
11. Dung Quat
12. Vung Tau
13. Duong Dong

Starting today, November 20, 2025, foreign travelers heading to China, whether holding a visa or not, can fill out their arrival card online through several official channels:

• On the National Immigration Administration (NIA) website:
  • From a computer: s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC
  • From a smartphone: s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone
• Via the “NIA 12367” mobile app
• Or through dedicated mini-programs on WeChat and Alipay

With this new system, China joins other Asian destinations, such as India, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Laos, that have recently modernized their immigration formalities with similar digital processes.

Travelers who have not completed the procedure before departure for China will still be able to do so on arrival, using connected kiosks installed at ports of entry or by scanning a QR code. A paper version will also remain temporarily available during this initial rollout phase.

The NIA notes that seven categories of foreign travelers are exempt from completing the new digital card:

• 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.

How to complete the digital arrival card for travel to China

1. Upload the passport identity page

After logging into the system (here on a computer), the first step is to upload a clear photo of your passport’s identity page.

Displayed fields:

• Type of ID Document — Type of travel document (e.g., ordinary passport)
• Upload ID Document Page — Area to upload the passport photo

Once the photo is uploaded, click Next.

2. Basic personal information

The system automatically extracts part of the passport data, which you must verify and complete. Entry-related information must also be filled in.

Required fields:

• Last Name
• First Name
• Gender
• Date of Birth — Year / Month / Day
• Country/Region of Citizenship — Nationality
• Type of ID Document — Document type (Ordinary Passport, etc.)
• ID Number — Passport number

Travel-related fields:

• Entry Transportation Mode — Mode of transport (plane, train, vessel, car, on foot, car and on foot)
• Arrival Flight/Train/Vessel Number
• City of Entry — (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, etc.)
• Port of Entry — Airport, railway station, or port of arrival in China

Click Next to continue.

3. Additional personal information

This step provides contact details and required administrative information.

Displayed fields:

• Chinese Name — Optional
• Country/Region of Birth
• City of Birth
• Contact Number — Phone number (with selectable international calling codes)
• Email — Contact email address
• Do you hold a valid visa or other entry permit? — Yes/No
• If “No”: Entry Policy Selection — Select your applicable entry policy (30-day visa waiver, 24/240-hour visa-free transit, etc.)
• If “Yes”: Visa Number

Click Next.

4. Travel information in China

This section covers your itinerary and stay in China.

Required fields:

• Purpose of Entry — (Tourism/Leisure, Conference/Business, Visiting friends/family, etc.)
• Date of Entry — Expected arrival date
• Destination Cities in China — City where you will stay the longest
• Address in China — Province / city / district, then detailed address

Additional fields:

• Cities of Transit in China — Any planned transit cities
• Do you have any inviting entities or inviters in China? — Yes/No
• Confirmed Departure Itinerary — Do you have a confirmed return itinerary? (Yes/No)

Click Next.

5. Signature and declaration

You must agree to a declaration confirming the accuracy of the information provided. Click the One-click Input button to automatically complete the declaration section.

Sign the form and click Confirm.

6. Receiving the digital arrival card

Once all steps are completed, the system automatically generates your digital arrival card. At this stage, you may:

• Download the card directly in electronic format by clicking Download to Local, or
• Send it to your email via the Send to Email button

The card includes a QR code that must be presented during immigration checks in China.

After recently extending its unilateral visa-free policy for 45 countries by one year, China continues its strategy of opening up with the launch of a digital arrival card.

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.

With this new system, China joins the growing number of Asian destinations that have digitized their entry procedures, following the example of India, Indonesia, and South Korea, which have all recently launched similar digital arrival card systems.

Exemptions from the digital arrival card for certain traveler categories

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.

Ten new measures supporting China’s opening-up

The introduction of the “Arrival Card” marks the latest step in a package of ten measures announced by the NIA to “support the expansion of opening-up and serve high-quality development.”

Several of these initiatives directly concern visa facilitation.

Extension of the 24-hour visa-free transit policy to ten new airports

Starting November 5, 2025, the 24-hour visa-free direct transit policy will be expanded to ten additional international airports: Tianjin Binhai, Dalian Zhoushuizi, Nanjing Lukou, Fuzhou Changle, Qingdao Jiaodong, Wuhan Tianhe, Nanning Wuxu, Haikou Meilan, Chongqing Jiangbei, and Kunming Changshui.

International passengers in transit for less than 24 hours to a third country will be able to transfer without undergoing immigration inspection, provided they remain within the airport.

Expansion of the 240-hour visa-free transit policy to five additional entry points

Five more ports in Guangdong Province have been added to the list of entry points allowing 240-hour visa-free transit, bringing the total to 65 ports across 24 provinces.

Travelers from 55 eligible countries can now stay for up to 10 days in certain regions of China without a visa, for tourism, business, or family visits.

The five new ports of entry are: Guangzhou Pazhou Ferry Terminal, Hengqin Port, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port, Zhongshan Port (Passenger) and West Kowloon Station Port of Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link.

Easier renewal of family visit visas

Mainland China residents traveling to or from Hong Kong and Macao on a family visit visa will now be able to renew their visa directly on site at China Travel Service offices in Hong Kong and Macao.