铁路部门优化外籍旅客出行服务
Railway Administration Improves Travel Services for Foreigners
新版中华人民共和国外国人永久居留身份证（以下简称“永居证”）将于今年12月1日起正式签发启用。按照国家有关部门要求，铁路部门对12306网站（含APP，下同）进行了优化，持“永居证”旅客可在线上注册、购票，通过车站闸机自助完成实名制验证、进出站检票，与持居民身份证的旅客同等享用铁路部门提供的网上和自助服务。
The new Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card (“FPRID”) of the People’s Republic of China will be officially issued and used from December 1, 2023 onwards. As required by relevant national authorities, the railway administration has improved its website 12306.cn (including the Railway 12306 app, similarly hereinafter) to allow FPRID holders to register and book tickets online, and help themselves go through real-name authentication, checking-in and checking-out procedures at ticket gates in railway stations, giving them access to the same online services and self-services offered by the railway administration to national Resident ID Card holders.
同时，自11月28日起，铁路部门推出外国护照在线身份核验服务。此前，外籍旅客在12306网站购票需持护照原件到铁路车站窗口核验身份信息。外国护照在线身份核验服务推出后，旅客登录12306网站，可按照系统提示填写姓名、国籍、证件号码等信息，由系统自动完成身份核验。旅客也可选择在线提交护照信息页照片，由后台进行人工核验。除在线核验外，旅客仍可到铁路车站窗口办理核验。铁路部门提示，外籍旅客身份核验通过后方可购票乘车，请持外国护照的旅客及时查看身份核验状态，尽快完成身份信息核验，以免影响购票出行，更多服务信息可通过12306网站查询。
The railway administration has also launched online identity verification services for foreign passports on November 28, 2023. Previously, foreign passengers had to visit a railway station counter to get their identity verified by presenting their original passport before they can book a ticket via 12306.cn. With the launch of online identity verification services for foreign passports, passengers can log on to 12306.cn and type in their name, nationality, ID card number and relevant information according to system prompts, then the system will automatically verify their identity. Passengers may also choose to submit a photo of their passport information online for manual verification by the Back Office. In addition to online verification, passengers may still visit a railway station counter for verification. The railway administration reminds that foreign passengers may only book a train ticket upon going through identity verification procedures. Foreign passport holders are advised to check out the status of identity verification in a timely manner and complete the verification as soon as possible, in order not to affect ticket booking and traveling. For more information, please visit 12306.cn for queries.
