China will abolish the paper arrival-declaration card for foreigners from 20 November 2025, replacing it with an entirely electronic submission system available via the National Immigration Administration’s ‘NIA 12367’ app, as well as WeChat and Alipay mini-programs. Korean news outlet Asia Daily reports that the reform coincides with Beijing’s decision to prolong the unilateral 30-day visa-free regime for South Korean citizens until the end of 2026.
Travellers can now complete the form on their mobile phones before departure or upon landing by scanning a QR code, eliminating one of the longest-standing bottlenecks in Chinese immigration queues. Only permanent residents, group-visa passengers and 24-hour direct-transit travellers remain exempt from the digital filing requirement.
![China Digitalises Arrival Card and Extends 30-Day Visa-Free Entry for South Koreans]()
The dual measures have been warmly received by Korean travel agencies, which recorded a 40 percent year-on-year jump in China-bound bookings between January and August and expect further acceleration once the digital card goes live. Chinese provincial tourism boards are capitalising on the momentum by staging roadshows in Seoul to showcase culture and investment opportunities.
From a corporate-mobility perspective, the electronic card should shave several minutes off average clearance times—a significant gain given the rebound in international arrivals. Global-mobility teams should update pre-trip checklists to include the new e-submission links and advise employees to save a screenshot of the confirmation QR code in case of connectivity issues on arrival.
Immigration lawyers note that digitisation also allows authorities to cross-check data with airline manifests in real time, potentially increasing enforcement against travellers who misstate purpose of stay. Companies must therefore ensure that the declared purpose aligns with the holder’s visa category to avoid fines or entry denial.
Travellers can now complete the form on their mobile phones before departure or upon landing by scanning a QR code, eliminating one of the longest-standing bottlenecks in Chinese immigration queues. Only permanent residents, group-visa passengers and 24-hour direct-transit travellers remain exempt from the digital filing requirement.
The dual measures have been warmly received by Korean travel agencies, which recorded a 40 percent year-on-year jump in China-bound bookings between January and August and expect further acceleration once the digital card goes live. Chinese provincial tourism boards are capitalising on the momentum by staging roadshows in Seoul to showcase culture and investment opportunities.
From a corporate-mobility perspective, the electronic card should shave several minutes off average clearance times—a significant gain given the rebound in international arrivals. Global-mobility teams should update pre-trip checklists to include the new e-submission links and advise employees to save a screenshot of the confirmation QR code in case of connectivity issues on arrival.
Immigration lawyers note that digitisation also allows authorities to cross-check data with airline manifests in real time, potentially increasing enforcement against travellers who misstate purpose of stay. Companies must therefore ensure that the declared purpose aligns with the holder’s visa category to avoid fines or entry denial.
