National Immigration Administration

What National Immigration Administration does

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) is a deputy-ministerial-level government authority of the People's Republic of China, established on April 2, 2018 and managed by the Ministry of Public Security. It holds exclusive statutory jurisdiction over immigration policy coordination, entry-exit administration, border inspection, and residence permit issuance for foreign nationals. Its primary constituents are mainland Chinese residents (335 million crossings in 2025), Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan residents (279 million crossings), and foreign nationals (82.04 million arrivals, up 26.4% year-on-year), alongside ~50 international immigration authorities engaged through cooperation forums. NIA delivers services through a hybrid model combining a nationwide physical network of exit-entry reception halls in every province with a digital service stack centered on the AI-powered 12367 hotline (24/7, Chinese and English, integrated with the national 12345 hotline), the NIA 12367 mobile app across Android/iOS/HarmonyOS plus WeChat and Alipay mini-programs, the multilingual official website (six languages), and the SinoGuide App launched in November 2025 jointly with the Cyberspace Administration of China. Smart border clearance using facial recognition and an electronic port visa piloted in Shanghai in 2025 represent the technology frontier. The business model is non-commercial: services are provided free of charge to users and NIA is funded through government budget appropriations rather than market revenue, with only minor published fees for specific document services. Strategic posture in 2025 is expansion-oriented — visa-free entry extended to 48 countries, 240-hour visa-free transit to 65 ports, online document renewal scaled to 50 cities, and active ASEAN/UN migration cooperation — all aligned with China's broader opening-up agenda.

Name

National Immigration Administration

Legal name

National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China

Website

https://en.nia.gov.cn

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Short description

National Immigration Administration is a Chinese government authority under the Ministry of Public Security that manages immigration, visas, residence permits, passports, and border inspection for mainland Chinese citizens, foreign nationals, and Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan residents via nationwide offices and digital platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Immigration Services

NAICS

National Security and International Affairs (928), International Affairs (92812)

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Immigration, Citizenship & Border Administration (Civil) (BPAIAAAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Visa, Immigration Liaison & Travel Document Policy (Foreign Affairs) (BPAIAIAL), Digital Access & Online Government Services for Immigrants (EDAAADAF), Destination Immigration Services (In-Country Registration, Residence Permits, Renewals) (THACAKAI), Immigration Law (BPAHAAAL)

Keywords

• Immigration management services
• Visa administration
• Border inspection
• Passport services
• Residence permits

Headquarters

HQ city

Beijing

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Services: The NIA operates as a government authority providing immigration management services. As a state agency under the Ministry of Public Security, it is funded through government budgets to provide immigration control, visa administration, border inspection, and residency management services to the public.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The National Immigration Administration provides government immigration management services, including passport issuance for mainland residents, visa and residence permit issuance for foreigners, border inspection and clearance, accommodation registration, and travel permits for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan residents. It also delivers digital immigration services through the 12367 hotline, the NIA English website, mobile apps, mini-programs, and the SinoGuide app for foreigners living in China.

Product overview

The National Immigration Administration operates a comprehensive digital service ecosystem for immigration management, centered around the 12367 Service Hotline platform and the recently launched SinoGuide App. The product portfolio includes the core China Immigration Service Hotline (12367) — an AI-powered 24/7 service platform available via phone, web, and mobile app (Android, iOS, HarmonyOS) with WeChat and Alipay mini program integrations — the NIA English Website providing multilingual immigration services, the SinoGuide mobile application launched November 2025 for foreigners' life services in China, and online accommodation registration services. Supporting products include the Online Chinese Teaching program (video and audio lessons), Life Service Guide resources, and the 'Foreigners in China' content platform. The system also includes smart border clearance technology using facial recognition, online arrival card filling, and integration with government 12345 hotlines. The architecture is primarily a platform-plus-channels model: the 12367 platform serves as the central hub connecting voice (hotline), web, and mobile channels, with specialized services (accommodation registration, Chinese teaching, life guides) as distinct modules.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NIA 12367 App: Mobile application for immigration services providing accommodation registration and document services
• SinoGuide App
• China Immigration Service Hotline (12367)

Products and services

• Passport and Travel Document Services Issuance of ordinary passports for mainland residents (20.90 million in 2025), travel permits and endorsements for travel to Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan (98.54 million), and visas and residence permits for foreigners (2.02 million in 2025). Includes online renewal pilot in 50 cities.
• China Immigration Service Hotline (12367) AI-powered, cloud-deployed 24/7 national immigration service hotline supporting policy consultation, business inquiries, opinions and suggestions in Chinese and English. Handled 7.11 million inquiries in 2025 with 99.5% satisfaction rate. Integrated with local 12345 government service hotlines nationwide.
• NIA English Version Website Multi-language official NIA website (en.nia.gov.cn) providing information release, services, consultation, exchange, and immigration service sections for foreigners coming to or living in China. Processed 185 million online government service queries and service requests in 2025.
• NIA 12367 Mobile App Mobile application enabling foreigners to complete accommodation registration online and access immigration services. Available for Android (via QR code), iOS, HarmonyOS, and via WeChat and Alipay mini-programs.
• SinoGuide App Mobile life assistant app co-developed with the Cyberspace Administration of China providing policy guidance, life services, cultural exploration, navigation, translation, and payment guidance features to help foreigners integrate into life in China.
• Online Accommodation Registration Service Pilot online service allowing foreigners residing or staying in domiciles other than hotels to complete accommodation registration electronically, streamlining the registration process for non-hotel stays.
• Smart Border Clearance Systems Automated immigration clearance systems using facial recognition technology for smart gate clearance at ports, plus rapid vehicle clearance systems piloted at border crossings across China.
• Online Arrival Card Filing Online service allowing international arrivals to submit arrival cards electronically before or upon arrival in China, streamlining border crossing procedures.
• Electronic Port Visa (Shanghai Pilot) Trial electronic port visa service launched in Shanghai enabling electronic visa processing for port entries, part of 2025 visa-free policy and digital facilitation initiatives.

Quantifiable outcome

• 14.2% year-on-year increase in border crossings to 697 million
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Cyberspace Administration of ChinacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 November 2025Joint development of the SinoGuide app - a life assistant mobile application providing policy guidance, life services, and cultural exploration features for foreigners living in China. The app was launched at the 2025 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit.
• International Organization for Migration (IOM)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 September 2025Participation in the Sub-Forum on Migration Management Cooperation under the 2025 Conference of Global Public Security Cooperation Forum. IOM Director General Amy Pope addressed the event. Approximately 240 attendees from 50 countries participated.
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 September 2025Attended the Sub-Forum on Migration Management Cooperation. UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi addressed the event via video.
• United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 September 2025Participated in the Sub-Forum on Migration Management Cooperation with officials from international organizations.
• ASEAN Immigration AuthoritiesflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 September 2025Conference on Regional Migration Governance Policies attended by Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, and Republic of Korea. Focus on visa policy coordination, talent mobility, and regional economic integration.
• Lancang-Mekong Integrated Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 September 2025Participated in the Conference on Regional Migration Governance Policies for joint border management and law enforcement cooperation.
• China-BRICS Science and Innovation Incubation ParkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerImmigration service station established within the China-BRICS Science and Innovation Incubation Park for the New Era in Xiamen, Fujian to assist foreign nationals with immigration procedures.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF): Germany's federal authority for asylum, refugee protection, and migration management. Comparable as a national immigration authority with substantial international cooperation mandates, multilingual service delivery, and digital transformation programs.
• India Bureau of Immigration: India's central immigration authority under the Ministry of Home Affairs, managing visa issuance, border management, and foreigner registration. Comparable as a high-volume Asian immigration authority with significant border crossing throughput and digital service modernization.
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): The US federal agency responsible for immigration services, including visa adjudication, naturalization, and benefits administration. Directly comparable as a national immigration authority with analogous functions (visa processing, residence permits, border services) and a similar digital service transformation agenda.
• UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI): The UK Home Office division handling visa applications, residence permits, and border immigration services. Comparable as a major national immigration authority with digital-first service transformation and significant cross-border processing volume.
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): Canada's federal department managing immigration, refugees, and citizenship. Directly comparable in scope (visa issuance, permanent residence, citizenship) and in operating modernized digital platforms for immigration service delivery across multilingual populations.
• Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA): Singapore's lead agency for immigration, citizenship, and border checkpoint operations. Highly comparable as an Asian immigration authority with heavy investment in biometric smart clearance, digital immigration platforms, and integrated citizen/foreigner services.
• Japan Immigration Services Agency: Japan's national immigration authority under the Ministry of Justice, handling entry/residence permits and border control. Directly comparable as an East Asian immigration agency managing both inbound foreign nationals and outbound resident services.
• Australian Department of Home Affairs: Australia's national immigration and border agency, managing visas, citizenship, and border operations. Directly comparable in mandate (immigration control + facilitation), use of biometric smart clearance technology, and digital service platform investment.

Broad incumbents

• International Organization for Migration (IOM): The UN's leading intergovernmental organization on migration, with which NIA holds a flagship partnership. Comparable as a broader global migration governance body that coordinates policy frameworks across national immigration authorities including NIA.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): US federal agency handling border security, customs, and immigration inspection at ports of entry. Comparable in its port-based operations, biometric processing infrastructure, and integration of immigration with broader border management—though with a broader customs mandate than NIA.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Immigration Administration